How to make these bolts black?

[New2Jeep2022]

I got new rims and the bolts they came with are silver. I want them to be black, but there are no replacement bolts like it from anyone other than the manufacturer, who only makes it in silver. What would be the best way to make these black? Would powder coating work, or would that just come off when tightening? Plasti dip seems like a big job. Maybe nail polish?? Would love help from you guys

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[azwjowner]

I got new rims and the bolts they came with are silver. I want them to be black, but there are no replacement bolts like it from anyone other than the manufacturer, who only makes it in silver. What would be the best way to make these black? Would powder coating work, or would that just come off when tightening? Plasti dip seems like a big job. Maybe nail polish?? Would love help from you guys

I wouldn't powder coat. Couple of options:

1. Call AEV and get the bolt specs (size, length, steel grade), or take a bolt to your local hardware store and ask them what it is. Most general bolts are available in black oxide finish from the large fastener suppliers online. Maybe you can order the same bolts in black oxide.

2. Blacken them yourself: https://www.eastwood.com/metal-blackening-system.html

3. Spray paint/plastidip.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Personally I would take a single bolt off and bring it into your local hardware store. You can use their screw measuring tools they have there, and then find a matching screw that's black.

If all else fails, there's always McMaster-Carr!

Can't go wrong with McMaster-Carr!!!

312 Black phosphate / Black oxide hex head bolts...

...which are flanged!!! Can't beat that!!!

 

[dragoneggs]

I wouldn't powder coat. Couple of options:

1. Call AEV and get the bolt specs (size, length, steel grade), or take a bolt to your local hardware store and ask them what it is. Most general bolts are available in black oxide finish from the large fastener suppliers online. Maybe you can order the same bolts in black oxide.

2. Blacken them yourself: https://www.eastwood.com/metal-blackening-system.html

3. Spray paint/plastidip.

Agreed and in that order however I don't have experience with #2. For the cheapest way, I might consider creating a paint mask/cutout template if you go with #3 and do it in place. Two reasons, I'm lazy and the torquing will surely rub the paint off and you would be touching up in place.

For a template, you might find a very thin piece of plastic and drill two holes in it exactly the diameter and spacing of your bolts. Make the template large enough to block overspray to your wheel/tire. Also will probably need multiple templates as the paint thickness will build up.

 

[Tool Guy]

Do not think Black Oxide for a single minute, they will rust before the sun rises on the day after installation. Black Powder coat might work for a while, probably better than paint. I would seriously consider Cerakote for your application. Stay away from impacts for installation.

 

[Gorilla57]

Do you wheel at all? If you actually offroad your Jeep at all, get rid of those horrible bolts. Those will sheer off in 1 or 2 hits on a rock. Those bolts stick out way too far to be an actual beadlock ring bolt. Sorry AEV, you screwed the pooch on this one. You need to get a set of button head cap screws in the same dimensions to make those wheels offroad worthy.

 

[dragoneggs]

Do you wheel at all? If you actually offroad your Jeep at all, get rid of those horrible bolts. Those will sheer off in 1 or 2 hits on a rock. Those bolts stick out way too far to be an actual beadlock ring bolt. Sorry AEV, you screwed the pooch on this one. You need to get a set of button head cap screws in the same dimensions to make those wheels offroad worthy.

Yeah, I figured OP was going for looks, thus the cheap paint trick I suggested above. Those would be trouble out west where we wheel.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Do what @Gorilla57 said.

In the meantime, stick them through a piece of cardboard and paint them with Rustoleum high heat matte black paint. It's super durable and easy to touch up.

If you want the best finish possible, use Steel-it black. $35 a can but the results are worth it.

 

[dragoneggs]

Do what @Gorilla57 said.

In the meantime, stick them through a piece of cardboard and paint them with Rustoleum high heat matte black paint. It's super durable and easy to touch up.

If you want the best finish possible, use Steel-it black. $35 a can but the results are worth it.

Cardboard will prevent the sides of the bolt heads from getting painted. That's why I suggested a thin plastic sheet.

 

[DonH63]

Last time I did something like this, I used a cardboard shoebox lid and stuck the bolts into it from the top. They stuck out an inch or so (2" or 3" bolts at the time). Sprayed the tops, but the lid on its side and sprayed the side getting under the head, repeated on the other side, let dry, repeat, done. I did cover the top inch or so of threads but that wasn't a big deal for me.

I've never owned bead locks, but the ones I've helped install all used round heads or were countersunk to reduce snagging on stuff off road.

 

[dragoneggs]

Semi-Pro tip... for painting small parts I use wine boxes for a mini paint booth. Pick them up free at a local Total Wine store. I poke a hole through the top with the top of a metal hanger to hang stuff. You can easily rotate it from above. For bolts and stuff, yeah drill holes in it so the threads poke outside. Lets you spray paint in the garage.

 

[Jeepeto]

Just a heads up if you’re searching for new bolts as a solution. I’m in the middle of dealing with the fallout left by using black oxide bolts in factory XR beadlocks. I’d search for something with more corrosion resistance if I had to do it again. Zinc or HDG will be my choice if I can ever get all the corroded bolts out of the wheels. Why mopar chose to use cheap black oxide bolts in an aluminum wheel is beyond me. I should have listened to my instinct and ditched all the OE hardware up top. Galvanic corrosion has claimed more than a dozen bolts. I even preemptively installed them with anti seize and reduced torque rating, they went in and 15lb-ft and wouldn’t budge with a 150lb-ft impact on the way out, many yielded before letting go ?

 

[Centurion07]

Do you wheel at all? If you actually offroad your Jeep at all, get rid of those horrible bolts. Those will sheer off in 1 or 2 hits on a rock. Those bolts stick out way too far to be an actual beadlock ring bolt. Sorry AEV, you screwed the pooch on this one. You need to get a set of button head cap screws in the same dimensions to make those wheels offroad worthy.

@Gorilla57 7 Yep, countersunk like so...

Also, the rings came factory black...finish didn't last forever.

 

[Old Jeeper]

I got new rims and the bolts they came with are silver. I want them to be black, but there are no replacement bolts like it from anyone other than the manufacturer, who only makes it in silver. What would be the best way to make these black? Would powder coating work, or would that just come off when tightening? Plasti dip seems like a big job. Maybe nail polish?? Would love help from you guys

https://www.grainger.com/product/22...ck_J1WZT3Q70Jh3_mGRoC0VkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Lots Black grade 8 stuff out there


I use Gold-Zinc Grade 8 on my bead locks, which keeps them from corroding and I did replace them annually, cheap insurance. The later I discovered Rock Domes, WOW, what a difference that made in the rocks. SADLY I do not think they make them anymore. I had a full set for all 5 of my wheels and I got one really torn up in the rocks and I called them and they said stopped making them. WHY? Not many bought which told me a LOT about how much serious wheeling Jeepers actually do, not much!

 

[richk225]

Just remember that if you powder coat the threads you may have to run the bolts through a die to get it off. It's not much but powder coating does add to the surface area. Every powder coated frame we have done has had to have all of the threaded holes cleaned out with a tap

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