What lubes/greases should i have on-hand?
Posted by PteReddit@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 4 comments
Hi,
not a car guy, but I own an old project truck which i am keeping just this side of the junkyard one part at a time.
When I do something like change a tire or replace the alternator, i pull rusty bolts out, and it feels wrong to.... just put them back in. Should I be adding a grease or something? (if theyre really bad i replace the bolt)
For the frame, when i get access to some rusty area, is it a good idea to steel brush the loose rust flakes off and spray anti rust paint on that area? Or perhaps undercoating of some kind?
(obviously not brake pads/disks, but like, frame and springs and such?)
Is this a dumb question? -_- Perhaps.
not-a-toad@reddit
For the record i don’t think this a dumb question. When it comes to rust i generally keep on hand just steel brushes and sandpaper then fluid film, rustoleum paint, or wd40 depending on what the thing is that im working on. Wd40 isn’t wont prevent rust but its for getting stuff off.
Also brake clean just for making it easier to clean.
Gunk_Olgidar@reddit
Fluid film spray can.
Superlube non-silicone.
_MadSuburbanDad_@reddit
We get tons of rust on cars here in New England. Fluid Film everything, twice a year. Do it once when the weather is starting to get warmer (I'm going to do my family's cars next weekend) and again in the fall during one of the last warm days. If it's really rusty underneath, do a couple of coats over a few days for a heavy initial application. There are usually access holts in the frame to allow you to spray rustproofing inside. DEFINITELY DO THIS. (especially if you have an old Toyota or Datsun pickup; the factory rustproofing on those was terrible)
You can also brush off flaking rust and spray with a 20% solution of water and phosphoric acid to convert the rust into black iron phosphate, then hit it with paint or Fluid Film.
For rusty bolts, use a battery terminal cleaner (or a copper pipe cleaning tool) to get any debris out of the threads before reinstalling.
When you're changing brake rotors, wire brush the faces of the wheel hubs and around the bolt holes. Put a thin layer of anti-seize on the hub before installing the new rotors, and on the outside of the rotor where it meets the inside of the wheel. It will save you lots of grief on the next change.
Only time I replace bolts is if they're visibly stretched, damaged from cross-threading, or have rounded-off heads.
PteReddit@reddit (OP)
amazing. i can do all that. Thanks!