How to remove rust from bolts all depends on one factor: Are your bolts installed?
If you can remove them, then we’ve got a quick and easy way to remove rust from bolts, and it won’t require any harsh chemicals!
If they’re installed, and you can’t / don’t want to remove them you might be a bit more limited in what you able to do, but we can still help you remove the rust! Read on to find out how to remove rust from bolts, no matter your situation.
How to remove rust from bolts: Vinegar Soak
To remove rust from bolts, your best bet is something that’s cheap and available from every supermarket: White vinegar!
- Pour some white vinegar into a container. You’ll need a container that 1) holds all your bolts, and 2) is deep enough that the vinegar can cover all the bolts. Ideally you want the bolts to take up no more that 2/3rds of the container.
- Leave to soak for 24 hours.
- Remove the bolts and if needed, scrub with a wire brush. You’ll see any leftover rust disintegrate.
- Rise with clean water, then immediately dry with a fresh towel.
- Your bolts should now be shiny, and the rust gone.
White vinegar and soaking for 24 hours. Easy.
In some rare situations if the bolts are super rusted, simply repeat the process again.
How to remove rust from bolts: Wire brush + elbow grease!
If you can’t remove the bolt from where its installed, but want to remove surface rust, the easiest way is as follows
- Get a stiff wire brush and scrub the rust from the bolt head, make sure you target where the rusted bolt head fits to the installed surface. This includes any washers present, too. You'll need to put some elbow grease in depending on how rusted your bolts are.
- You’ll need some rust remove spray (available from your local hardware store) if you don’t have one available, use a lubricant spray like WD40 instead.
- Spray the bolt and area around it and let it soak for 15 minutes
- Attack the bolt head / thread again with the wire brush.
- Spray your rust remover / lubricant one more time, then wipe off with a dry cloth.
A wire brush will make short work of any surface rust.
Your bolt should now be rust free. If you need help removing them, not just the rust, we’ve got you covered here: How To Remove Rusted Bolts
If you just want to skip these steps and replace the bolts, you can check out our full range of bolts here: Bolts
Thanks for reading our latest blog entry
Best Regards,
The Scrooz Fasteners Team
