birch71

OK... it's really rusty bolts, stem bolts that is, but the title sounds funnier!!

Since I've been riding all winter in Chicago, my stem bolts have a nice coat of rust on them. What's the best way to clean this up and furthermore, prevent this from happenning again?

Thanks!

2_i 

My use of Boeshield on the bike may remind at times the use of Windex in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Any sign of rust gets treated with Boeshield. With the frequent Boeshield use my bike has no problems standing day by day in the open no matter what the weather. Boeshield also goes to the inside of the frame and the inside of a rack, lock etc. In fact, I've got myself a gallon of Boeshield from an aircraft supplier.

Another strategy is to replace the rusting bolts and nuts with stainless hardware. However, the stainless steel is somewhat weaker than the typical steel in screws. If I were to replace my single stem-clamp screw with stainless, it would break.

The Selector

use a little steel wool to clean them off... then dip your allen key in grease (i use swiss bearing grease) then shove the allen key into the bolt as to cover it with a little grease. it works

good luck

2_i 

There are plastic caps around, specifically dedicated for covering the stem bolts, but they get easily lost. You can fill the slots, though, with wax, obtainable at a hardware store, if you want to prevent water from accumulating there.

onelessunicycle

use wd-40, but not on the drive train, think about chenging the bolts to aluminum or stainless

Michel Gagnon

My solution:
- WD40 sprayed occasionnally onto bolts that I can touch (i.e. it's fairly clean).
- Oil or grease is used onto bolts that I can't touch (i.e. it last longer).

crotch_rocket

What do you do when you have rusty nuts? Egads, methinks you consume too much iron, and you need to wear something to stop chafing that area, thus exposing your blood capillaries to the oxygenated air...

OH!

You mean THOSE rusty nuts! I thought you meant... ahh, um, anyway, just scrub em down and use some silicone.... eh, my mind's in the gutter today....

MichaelW

Use grease or antisieze on the threads and wax on the exposed head.
Grease on the head can get dirty and can transfer to your clothing.

240GL

I have had success with colorless Tectyl (anti-rust treatment for cars). I soak a cotton stick and apply inside allen heads etc. No more rust, even if I use the bike in the salty slush.
Erling.

CastIron

I hose the whole works in WD-40 regularly during the slop/salt season. It's working like a charm. This B.S. about it doing horrible things is just that. Just don't rely it as a quality lubricant where one is needed.