Readers’ Tips—

Coat and Protect Your Fasteners

In an effort to combat some of the factors which often rust out fasteners, I decided to try something new with a product that most of us already have.

Some time ago, I was installing a pair of shocks on one of my old Mopars and had some nasty problems getting the old nuts off.

After that nightmare was over, I installed the new ones and liberally coated the shock stems and new nuts with anti-seize after they were tightened. I figured I’d try putting a generous amount on there just to see how it would weather over time.

To my surprise, when it came time to replace the shocks again, the coating of anti-seize was still there! It seems that when this stuff dries out, it forms a protective shell over what it’s applied to. Through the rain, snow, heat and cold of Pennsylvania weather, this stuff never came off.

When I set about getting the shocks off again, it just kind of flaked apart as I removed it with a few strokes of a wire brush. Sure enough, the nuts were both still silver in color beneath the wad of anti-seize and came off effortlessly.

I also used it on the fasteners for the two utility light brackets on the roof of my Dodge van, which is kept outside and subjected to all the rigors of commercial use (driving winds, rain, snow, etc.). It simply does not wash off (except, perhaps, with a pressure washer), and stays put until you want it removed.

Many people who either use their vehicles rarely or often, and have no way of sheltering them, should try this. I’ve been doing it for years now, and it sure does the job.

Thank you so much for the superb job you do when putting this magazine together. Keep all the great articles rolling!

Steve Dougherty Easton, Pennsylvania