Wheel Nuts - rust

[ched999uk]

Sorry this really isnt in the same league as the rest of the posts but thought you guys would know best.
About to pick up a 2003 W203 Coupe next week any the wheel nuts look a bit rusty. The garage I am buying it from are going to see 'what they can do' but I was wondering if this is a normal thing, for the wheel bolts/nuts to be rusty looking? If so any ideas on the best way to make them look nicer?
I am guessing new ones will be expensive? Could I just take each one off and clean them then give then a spray from a can?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[stwat]

Very common problem. Do a search to see all the other threads and info on it

 

[ched999uk]

Cheers for that. I never imagined that rusty wheel bolts were THAT common an issue.
just read lots of posts and it looks like I will be buying some 'Rad' ones within a few months.
Thanks.

 

[nigel cross]

Cheers for that. I never imagined that rusty wheel bolts were THAT common an issue.
just read lots of posts and it looks like I will be buying some 'Rad' ones within a few months.
Thanks.

Best way as the original ones are cr*p.
Theres a guy on here that sells themat a good price

 

[ss201]

My wheel bolts were getting rusty. Took them off one by one. An hour or so's work with a rotary wire brush brought took the surface rust off, then gave them a wipe over with some copper grease and they look fine now. Depends on how fussy you are.

 

[ched999uk]

My wheel bolts were getting rusty. Took them off one by one. An hour or so's work with a rotary wire brush brought took the surface rust off, then gave them a wipe over with some copper grease and they look fine now. Depends on how fussy you are.

Thanks for the advice.
I am by no means fussy, I think in the last 3 years I cleaned my Freelander about 5 times if that.
But now owning a merc I thought it would be nice to try and keep it clean and neat. Its not going to be easy as we live about 50 meters from the sea and are sand blasted in the winter. Plus I don't have a garage

I am really looking forward to collecting my C230K Coupe on Wednesday. cant wait

 

[spy]

I wouldn't worry - this is a common problem on Porsches as well !!!

 

[Big Dan]

Apparently an over night soak in malt vinegar and a stern going over with a stiff/wire brush will sort them out.

 

[portzy]

How about a set of wheel nut covers like these?

Performance Alloys.com®

Portzy.

 

[SAFC]

Rusty Nuts (Oooh er!!)

Yep, I've got rusty nuts too !!

Was thinking about cleaning them up and putting a touch of silver paint on them - or asking MB what they advise, since they supplied the poor quality in the first place !!

Don't like the idea of Wheel Nut caps, though.

 

[portzy]

Don't like the idea of Wheel Nut caps, though.

Got to admit, the ones in the link I posted were just a "for example" and they could look a bit naff. I have a set of polished Ripspeed alloy ones with knurled edges on mine and they look quite good, never tarnish, unlike the bolts!

Portzy.

 

[SAFC]

Where'd yer get yer Ripspeed Caps, Portzy?
Halfords?
(Couldn't see them on the Halfords Website)

 

[portzy]

Where'd yer get yer Ripspeed Caps, Portzy?
Halfords?
(Couldn't see them on the Halfords Website)

I thought you might ask.

They did come from Halfords but I think they were running them out as a discontinued line. The removal key was missing but that was no big deal, smooth jaw taper nose pliers wrapped in tape do the trick and they were only a fiver, due to the missing tool, for a set of twenty. I tried to find Ripspeed's website for you but couldnt

Portzy.

 

[SAFC]

Nut Caps.

I thought you might ask.

They did come from Halfords but I think they were running them out as a discontinued line. The removal key was missing but that was no big deal, smooth jaw taper nose pliers wrapped in tape do the trick and they were only a fiver, due to the missing tool, for a set of twenty. I tried to find Ripspeed's website for you but couldnt

Portzy.

Oh well, thanks anyway.
I might whip them out, clean them up, slap a bit of paint on them and then some light oil. It might do the trick.

(PS nice photo !! Or have you heard that before?)

 

[portzy]

PS nice photo !! Or have you heard that before?)

Which? the nut cover or my avatar

Portzy.

 

[Big Dan]

Have a look here..........

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/95124-trick-rust.html#post1045801

Haven't tried it myself yet but looks to work a treat?

 

[SAFC]

Portzy,
Your Avatar, of course !!

 

[SAFC]

Big Dan,
Excellent link to an excellent link !!
I'm off to buy some Vinegar !!
SAFC.

 

[markjay]

See also:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/wheels-tyres/91581-wheel-bolts-rust.html

 

[markjay]

BTW, a new original bolts set from MB costs a shade under £100, of which about half is for the standard bolts, the other half is for the four locking bolts. Luckily mine were replaced under warranty...

You could obviously remove the bolts (not too difficult to do, because if done one bolt at a time then there no need to jack-up the car - that's how the MB dealer did mine), clean them with wire brush, paint them and fit them back (with or without copper grease - but this is a separate discussion).

Or, if you are really lazy , then a touch of Hammerite silver paint in-situ might just do the trick