Lug Nut Rust

Dan

Dan

Well-known member
How do you guys deal with rust on painted lug nuts? I`ve got some that are silver (maybe zinc) and starting to rust a bit. I was thinking about buying some of that zinc rustoleum paint but it seems to be a duller gray, ideally I`d like to find some more glossy silver spray with zinc.
 
This is a good question. I have just replaced them which seems like a waste to me so I am hoping someone has a good solution.
 
I`d just replace them, preferably with Stainless ones. How much are you gonna go through for a) the cost and/or b) the chance that a fix won`t last?

You can derust them either chemically or mechanically or, most likely, both. Then you could paint/powdercoat/replate them and I bet somebody like Eastwood has a paint that`ll look right. But I just don`t see those fixes lasting or being worth the time/hassle/expense.

For fragile-finish lugs, well...ones that show...remember to a) wrap the lug with plastic wrap/etc. to protect the corners, even if your wrench/socket supposedly "grips the flats" and b) find a socket that fits properly (I have a scad of 19mm ones for the Audis and one always fits one set of lugs better/worse than the others).
 
Accumulator said:
I`d just replace them, preferably with Stainless ones. How much are you gonna go through for a) the cost and/or b) the chance that a fix won`t last?

You can derust them either chemically or mechanically or, most likely, both. Then you could paint/powdercoat/replate them and I bet somebody like Eastwood has a paint that`ll look right. But I just don`t see those fixes lasting or being worth the time/hassle/expense.

For fragile-finish lugs, well...ones that show...remember to a) wrap the lug with plastic wrap/etc. to protect the corners, even if your wrench/socket supposedly "grips the flats" and b) find a socket that fits properly (I have a scad of 19mm ones for the Audis and one always fits one set of lugs better/worse than the others).
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I wouldn`t mind buying new ones, if I was sure they were good quality and would not run into the same issue again. Looking at the options, good german bolts are in the $7+ range each, and that is not even stainless.
 
The Driver- Yes indeed, the caps are great (as long as you don`t lose that tool)! Got `em as oe on the A8 and the Tahoe, our two Dailies, and those are our only vehicles where the lugs show, lucky me :D

If the lug pockets have enough room for `em, that`d be a great solution, good thinking!

Heh heh, a Roadside Assistance guy that an acquaintance called didn`t realize they were caps and you can guess what he tried to do :o Accumulatorette was all :rolleyes: that he didn`t just change the flat himself or at least know to tell the guy that. "RTFM!" indeed.
 
Dan said:
I wouldn`t mind buying new ones, if I was sure they were good quality and would not run into the same issue again..
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Maybe try coating them and using the plastic wrap. I used lots of KSG on the MPV and as long as I was careful with the wrap...very careful...it worked OK, only had a bit of edge-issue on one or two of `em (as best I can recall after all this time).
 
Accumulator said:
I`d just replace them, preferably with Stainless ones. How much are you gonna go through for a) the cost and/or b) the chance that a fix won`t last?
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This would be my vote. I don`t recall lug nuts being all that expensive unless you are looking for some special shaped ones for aftermarket wheels. Even then they aren`t too expensive.

For fragile-finish lugs, well...ones that show...remember to a) wrap the lug with plastic wrap/etc. to protect the corners, even if your wrench/socket supposedly "grips the flats" and b) find a socket that fits properly (I have a scad of 19mm ones for the Audis and one always fits one set of lugs better/worse than the others).
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Wouldn`t wrapping the lug nut make it really hard to get the socket to fit properly? I picked up a set of sockets specifically designed for doing wheel changes off Amazon for pretty cheap. They fit perfectly on the lug nuts/studs and the outer wall is nylon lined so they don`t marr the wheel.
 
That sounds about right. I had to buy a set for my BMW many years ago, and I think they were about $30 per set (5x bolts). No one would sell my just one. A set for my GTI is about the same price at Tire Rack.
 
Gorilla makes a great set of replacement lug nuts if you’re replacing the entire set.

Gorilla Automotive Products

I saw a set of black ones for a Ford truck not too long ago, seems like they were around $70 for a set of 24 lug nuts with no locking nuts. Their black chrome plating was surprisingly nice.
 
Well, gorilla doesn`t make lifetime lug bolts, just nuts so no go there. After thinking about it, I got some bolt covers for $8, we`ll see how they work out.
 
Desertnate said:
Wouldn`t wrapping the lug nut make it really hard to get the socket to fit properly? I picked up a set of sockets specifically designed for doing wheel changes off Amazon for pretty cheap. They fit perfectly on the lug nuts/studs and the outer wall is nylon lined so they don`t marr the wheel.
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I have those nylon-sleeved ones too, easier to avoid an "oops!" all right.

I`ve never had a problem with the wrapping interfering with the socket fit. I`ve even used a nitrile glove before. There are obviously limits, but overall there`s always been enough wiggle-room.
 
If you do decide on the paint route, Wurth sells cans of spray paint that matches German silver wheels. It`ll either match your Volvo wheels or be extremely close to Volvo silver.
 
I got some decent all black from les Schwab for about $1 a piece. They were gorillas they had in back open in bulk vs packaged ones for retail up front which were much more. I bought rims and tires same time so maybe why I got so cheap. I’d still call and ask.
 
Accumulator said:
I have those nylon-sleeved ones too, easier to avoid an "oops!" all right.

I`ve never had a problem with the wrapping interfering with the socket fit. I`ve even used a nitrile glove before. There are obviously limits, but overall there`s always been enough wiggle-room.
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I`ve had those nylon-sleeved impact sockets for years now.

I wouldn`t even try cleaning up lug nuts. I`d just replace them. After all, who wants to look at rusty nuts? :)
 
If you replace them the best thing you can do is not let anyone use an impact wrench of them. the hammering action of the impact wrench does more damage to lug nuts than anything. You`ll piss off time guys, but your lugs will last a lot longer. My guys used to get so annoyed when customers would ask that no impact wrench be used. I totally understood. Especially if you have factory lugs with the tin caps on them. A couple times off and on with an impact and your lug wrench doesn`t fit anymore.

Gorilla makes the best chrome plated lug nuts/bolts. Again if you keep impact wrenches off them they will last a long time without rusting, and they`re a fraction of the cost of OE. They may have some zinc plated or alloy lugs also if you don`t want chrome.
 
So I have to say I`m pretty happy with my $8 bolt covers. They pair up well with my wheels.

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