As I reassemble my truck I am either replacing with new or cleaning the old bolts and nuts that hold various parts on. Can't tell if they were factory painted or not. To many years of rust and wear. Do you guys touch up the bolt heads with paint or leave them natural?

 

I replaced the bolts holding sheetmetal together with gr 5 and left them natural. My Ford truck are not built to show, only to drive and enjoy. My T birds were done to factory specs.
If you are doing a show vehicle, the rules vary. For the parking lot crowd, you may want to do chrome.
For a true restoration, the rules change again. You'll want to check against the rules the vehicle will be judged against. Ford was not concern about bolts and nuts lasting a long time, just hold the tin together and get it on the street.

 

Hit them with a wire wheel and reinstall.
Regards, Mark.

 

I used stainless steel bolts and nuts most of the time...

 

I replaced some with SS also - - - but make sure that you use anti-seize compound or they will gall and you will have to cut them off. Some will gall without antiseize before they ever provide clamp load on the part.

Other places I just used plated grade 5 bolts. I painted them where appropriate like on the frame.

 

I like Seymour Stainless Steel paint on stock steel bolts. Wire brush the bolts and shoot a little paint on them. It's not overly bright and has a satin finish. They look natural but avoids rust. Used clear on the fender bolts for a 1966 Mustang engine compartment detailing a while ago and it has started to yellow a little.



If you really want to get fancy, I've know guys who have used Eastwood's Electroplating System. Or for black oxide, Caswell Plating has kits for steel and stainless - only takes a couple minutes at room temperature, odorless, and no electrical power is required. (I've never tried it.)

 

I kind of like this option BT. For a Stock look I think this would look good at preserving the natural patina of the bolts while protecting them. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks to all have offered suggestions and shared their experiences. I am always impressed with the talent and knowledge of the guys on FTE.

 

I sure hope no one crawls under my 49 to "critique" my nuts and bolts. They are all grade 8.

 

I soak the rusty bolts in prep and etch (phosphoric acid) and then soak them in used engine oil to pickle them. They come out clean and dull black after drying them off. If they are junk they get replaced with new. The acid really works and can save a lot of original hardware.

 

I've never used this but I wonder how this would work? Copper looking bolts for you dark siders?
https://steelfxpatinas.com/shop/stee...nas/copper-fx/

 

Fasteners is a good topic. When will these companies that offer OE fastener kits for the late 60's early 70's cars offer them for these early Ford trucks? Doesn't have to be exact, just similar and plated (not chrome). I've been forced to use grade 5 zinc plated fasteners from hardware stores or McMaster Car for the sheet metal. Works fine but doesn't come close to mimicking original.

 

For when you really want to duplicate the original fasteners (I have purchased from him a couple times, was really nice to deal with): http://www.fordscript.com/

 

I cleaned most of mine up with the wire wheel on my bench grinder and painted them black.