Rust on chrome?

C

C6FETISH

New member
Seems I have a dilema. I replaced some bolts on my bike for some chrome ones and noticed after a couple of weeks that they seem to be rusting in the hole where the screwdriver or allen wrench would go. Anything I can do to clean and prevent further rusting in future. Since this is a Harley I would perfer to not replace if I can since they like to jack up the prices on such parts?



I was also under the impression that chrome didnt rust?
 
Chrome rusts. I used a chrome polish, and it got most of the rust off of our 16 foot speed boat. After that, they didn't seem to rust for about 1 year, then I reapplied it since it seemed to be coming back in a few spaces.
 
It's not the chrome that's rusting, it's the substrate. Most likely, the bolts are chrome plated steel.



Try using stainless bolts instead, and they won't rust.



You can remove the rust, but it'll come back because it's where the chrome plating has been broken away from the bolt by the tool used to install them.
 
Would a sealant of any kind at least delay rust after it's removed?



I use some stuff that dries to a sort of clear shellac called Weatherpruf by Kano labs. It could be poured in a cup and lightly brushed on even.
 
Another vote here for stainless. It can be polished to look like chrome but won't rust.



Here's the problem with chrome and fasteners. Most likely, they do not use a high strength steel. When the fasteners are used, the area where it is torqued...like the screwdriver slot, allen wrench slot, or lug nut sides....are deformed a bit and the chrome looses it's adhesion (to a degree). Moisture gets between the chrome and metal...rust.



FWIW..McGard is a company that offers a lifetime guarantee on lugnuts as they use a hardened steel.



For Stainless, you may be able to get what you need from McMaster-Carr or Gardner-Wescott.
 
I was also under the impression that chrome didnt rust? [/B]
Click to expand...

Like another said, chrome doesn't rust, the substrate does.



In the case of nuts bolts and screws, it's a result of poor chrome plating (thin, poorly applied, etc), and damage you do to it with the fastening tool.



You can slow down the rust with a clear wax. I used to use one of the clear kitchen polishes, and it did a so-so job of slowing down the rust.
 
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