Surface Rust on Lug Bolts
 

I recently started seeing quite a bit of surface rust on my lug bolts. This coincided with having recently cleaned my wheels with Sonax wheel cleaner. I used this product once before and didn't get this effect, but I think I sprayed more of it directly on the lug bolts this time. I assume they have a rust preventative coating, so I'm wondering of the Sonax compromised it.

Regardless, the rust has to go. I considered trying to paint/coat them with something, but I doubt I would get acceptable results. Looks like I need to order 20 new lug bolts. I think about $4.50 each is the best price I have seen for OEM. I saw an Amazon seller with a set of 5 Bilstein brand (made by FEBI) for $18.50 + free shipping.

Would you buy the Bilsteins for a little cheaper, OEM for about $90, or something else?

Why did I all of the sudden get this rust? I have OEM metallic pads, but always have, and just now got the rust.

I have a set of new Centric E-coated rotors and Centric Posi-Quiet ceramic pads waiting to go on, but mechanic said my old pads are still fine, so we haven't been in a hurry on that and I am planning to paint my calipers with black gloss G2 brush on kit first. There is a little surface rust on the calipers as well, but that has been there longer.

Why not drop the bolts off to a local powdercoater and have them properly powdercoated? They will mask the threads off and you'll probably pay $1-2 apiece

I bought some plastic caps that fit over the lug bolts and are black to cover up the rusty look of the lug bolts - on my previous cars I had chrome bolts but I don't think it fits this X5

I don't think you need to buy a whole new set of lug bolts personally

I haven't had any rust issues with mine but they're weathered and faded. They appear to be black anodized rather than powdercoated. I often wondered if gun blueing would work. I don't have any but worth a try maybe.

I thought about that, but not sure how quickly I could get them back. This is my only vehicle, so can't go long without it.

These are what I have on my bolts - I take them off periodically and clean the bolt holes and the plastic covers and they seem to hold up great, been 4+ years

Lug Bolt Cover 19mm Black Set

Have the same. It's a black oxide finish (Fe3O4) since its steel. There are lots of DIY on gun smithing and knife making sites on how to get a nice black oxide finish. The short version (haven't tried yet) is boil in vinegar (suggest doing this outside if you want to remain married :-) and then dry and seal the porous finish with some sort of wax, oil or lacquer.

An aggressive cleaner will definitely strip off the sealer and let red-brown flaky rust (Fe2O3) start.

OT but On Topic....one of my Iron dissolving wheel cleaners now has a disclaimer sticker that says don't use on Pcoat Wheels.

I've used it on plenty, so I suppose like any product, it's really up to the user using it ....

I keep my lug bolts (entire wheels, actually) covered in a fine layer of brake dust. No rust problems so far.

Here's an example of results using gun bluing solution(s)

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