Defender nuts and bolts, brackets etc.

[Benny_IIA]

Hi Guys,

I have stripped down my Defender which has seen a fair bit of salt, I am replacing the firewall. There are a fair few small light weight brackets and mounts which are pitted with rust and I would like to get them plated.

Which plating would you recomend zinc or CAD. or something else, I think these brackets are too light weight to be galvinised, and does anyone know a good place to get this done in Brisbane? Preferably Southside or close to the city.

Also many of the nuts, bolts and washers etc... are badly rusted, does anyone know of the best place to get these as replacements.

If I was to use say stainless bolts/nuts/washers would there be any problems (reaction between the different metals)

I live in brisbane.

Many Thanks Ben.

[Benny_IIA]

Can anyone help me with an answer please?:angel:

[Chucaro]

If you cannot plate them use the POR 15 (full treatment) and all your problems with rust and salt water will be over. The only problem is that a sand blasting is required for the primer to bite the metal.

Cheers

[Bundalene]

Hi. I have used plenty of stainless nuts and bolts on Defenders over the years with no ill affects. There are plenty of dissimilar metal reactions going on in the Defender with steel, cad plating, alluminium, gal etc etc so one more probably won't make any difference.

As for the POR 15 - an excellent product which we used on our firewall, but top coat it with another paint as POR 15 itself is not UV stable.

Erich

[Blknight.aus]

if you can get it back to bare metal heat it up with a hot air gun (bout 300 degrees) and then hit it with thinned cold gal.

[Chucaro]

Hi. I have used plenty of stainless nuts and bolts on Defenders over the years with no ill affects. There are plenty of dissimilar metal reactions going on in the Defender with steel, cad plating, alluminium, gal etc etc so one more probably won't make any difference.

As for the POR 15 - an excellent product which we used on our firewall, but top coat it with another paint as POR 15 itself is not UV stable.

Erich

There are POR15 top coat paints which are UV stable and are used for marine purposes like on the decks of steel yachts, however they are expensive.
The best way is to give the first coat (primer) with POR15 and then when is tucky apply a second coat of a good quality paint as a bed for the finish coat.
If you left the POR15 to dry then no paint will bite on the surface.
If you need to get rid of the POR15 paint you need a grinder. Is superb!
The advantage to use it for restoration is that you can manage your own time and by painting you are forced to inspect all the spots on the vehicle.
Cheers

[idletorque]

Ben,

Never use Stainless Steel bolts for anything that is going to carry a load. This is particularly important for steering, suspension and towing/recovery bolts.

Stainless Steel is not as strong as the original high tensile bolts! They are High Tensile for a reason!!

Fine for body mounting type bolts.

Better to go to a local bolt supplier and buy the correct grade you need, in the size you need in a plated bolt and nut. They're not that expensive generally (compared to genuine LR that is!) and you'll get both the strength required and corrosion protection you seek.

Regards,
Greg