How to Remove Salt Water From Bolts

Rust caused by salt water can quickly destroy a bolt.

Salt water is the enemy of metal. The ions present in brine increase the oxidation of metal, causing it to rust. Because bolts are often important structural components, it's vital to protect them from salt water so that they don't fail unexpectedly.



After removing salt water from a bolt, the best thing you can do is to treat it regularly to prevent it from coming into contact with salt water in the first place.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Cloth
• Penetrating oil

Instructions

1. Rinse the bolt with clean water to remove the salt water. Regular water is not good for metal in the long run, but it's less damaging than allowing the salt water to remain on the bolt.

2. Wipe the bolt with a clean, dry cloth. Remove as much water as possible.

3. Coat the bolt liberally with penetrating oil. The penetrating oil displaces water -- salt or otherwise -- from the metal surface and forms a protective coating on the bolt.

Tips & Warnings

• Penetrating oil is available in spray cans for easy application.

• If a bolt is rusty, replace it. Rusty bolts are prone to unexpected failure when under stress.

References

• The Gun Zone: Rust Preventatives for Firearms
• ASCA: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea