Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Oil from Black Oxidizing dirties the seat fabric

We are Automobile Seats and Interior Manufacturers for a leading automobile manufacturer. We have bolts and washers used in with Two Grades 8.8 and 10.9. These are black oxidised and these are having film of Oil on them which dirty the hands and the fabric cover of Seats. Is it required to have oil film on these bolts/washers?If we do not apply oil film will the black oxidised bolts get rusted?

Ratnagiri Navaneeta Krishna
auto seating - Nasik, Maharashtra, India
2005

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Remove the oil, then apply a wax or silicone dry film to prevent rusting. Ask your supplier to furnish with a dry-touch coating instead of oil.

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2005

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First of two simultaneous responses --

Dear Ken,
Is it required to apply oil after black oxidizing. If we do not apply oil will the fasteners get rusted.

Ratnagiri Navaneeta Krishna
Auto motive Stating - Nasik, Maharahstra, India
2005

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

There is no need to ever put oil on the black bolts to prevent corrosion.
Vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) are designed just for such a job. The bolts can be coated for long term protection or just shipped to the manufacturer in VCI impregnated plastic bags for short term protection. The coatings do not need to be removed before installation and should provide rustproofing for many years.

Grady Knight
- Colville, Washington
2005

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Hi Ratnagiri. Whether it be oil, wax, silicone dry film, VCIs, or chocolate syrup: black oxided components must have some coating on them to deter corrosion. They can flash rust in hours without it. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 2013