Help on how to paint rusted bed bolts.

2009 Tacoma Access Cab. 12,800 miles.

Four of the 6 silver bed bolts in my truck have rusted. The truck is still under warranty, but the dealer and Toyota called it surface rust and will not replace. Not the best answer, but sometimes you just don't have the energy to argue.

The bolts should be black anyway, so I am thinking cleaning them and painting them is the best long term solution anyway. New bolts would probably just rust again.

Can I get some help on?
1. The best way to clean the rust off. Product suggestions?
2. Best paint to use to paint them black. Products?

Thanks for anyone's help. This site is awesome.

 

Pull em out, wire brush or wheel.
As for the paint, not sure the best to use but be careful about getting in the bolt head. You want to be able to get the torx bit back in again.

 

I would just tape and paper around it, thoes things are a bugger to get off. Wire brush/steel wool, prime then I would use rustolem paint, has good fade resistance. use very light dusting coats, I would do about 5. That will give the longest lasting results. For extra protection add a lacquer top coat if you so desire.

 

Yep... just wire brush the shit out of them, then paint. You could probably hit it w/ a rust inhibitor first, then a coat of paint.

 

You can not put lacquer over enamel, you can go the other way, enamel over lacquer.

 

^^^^ If you use the rustolem line you can, im not sure if its an enamel, I just buy the paint color and the sheen of lacquer i want. Has worked well for me.

 

I have a 2011 taco and I pulled the bolts out to put some D-rings and 3 out of the 4 were badly rusted. I took a wire wheel to them and pieces were coming off!!! I need to order new ones for sure.

 

mines brand new and it's rusting. I don't know why they don't spring for stainless or at least anodize them I'll have to pull and paint I guess.