The Nuts and Bolts of Rust-Busting: An Auto Shop’s Secret Weapon

Picture this: the trusted mechanic, muscles straining, eyes bulging, battling against...the bolt that won’t quit. Perhaps you’ve had your own experience with this? Our favorite auto shop, Christian Brothers Automotive, has decided to end this battle of the bolt!

How Could This Happen?!

Vehicles are a prime candidate for corrosion, bolts in particular. Temperature extremes, humidity, salt and brine on the road, and just grit and grime in general, lend to the corrosion of bolt threads. Once rust sets in, the metal starts the process of welding itself together - also known as chemi-welding. Once this happens, getting these bolt and nut assemblies loose becomes an ever increasing, tortuous task. All of this adds time and toil for a simple repair, universally frustrating our friendly mechanic.

Threaded surfaces are weak points in metal, due to the grinding process to create the grooves. It breaks down the molecular structure and creates an entry point for moisture and corrosives. Those grooves are also an excellent area for holding the very corrosives that lead to their demise!

All of this leads to the quick formation of rust. It may seem like watching a glacier roll into town, but as folks along the coast can attest, turn your back for a second, and voilà – rust! Before you know it, it’s locked those bolts tighter than a family secret.

Ok, Great. Now What?

Surprise! Enter, Rust Patrol. Generally, the first method tried to loosen stubborn bolts, is to use a penetrating oil. Normally these products are based on solvents that eat away at what’s sticking the parts together. While Rust Patrol contains solvents, it’s not our main process for loosening stuck bolts or seized parts. Rust Patrol’s active motion moves through the grit, grime, and gunk to get down to the oxide layer of the metal – and – moving through the bolt threads. Along with our solvent, it’s also the “oily” motion “sliding into the DMs” of the bolt, loosening rust’s grip (see our blog post Lift'em Up Jack).

Rust Patrol has definitely become my top choice.

Impact on Life, or Impact Wrench?

For Christian Brothers, the surprise was welcome. One of their mechanics even said, “I’ve been using WD-40 for years, it was my go-to. Rust Patrol has definitely become my top choice. I really like it on exhaust bolts. I give them a shot, and everything comes apart nice and easy once I’m ready to work on them.”

Davin Blake, driver of the #000 B-modified car, sent us a short video clip showing the myriad of places he uses Rust Patrol on his race car.

Future-Proofing Your Ride, One Bolt at a Time

Here’s a little secret every car owner should know: rust isn’t just a ‘today’ problem – it’s a tomorrow problem, too. When you use Rust Patrol to loosen those bolts, you save time and money, and it may not be why you think. Because unlike some quick-fix penetrating oils and lubricants, Rust Patrol isn’t just there for the rescue; it’s there for the long haul. Once applied, Rust Patrol keeps rust at bay, forming a long-lasting barrier that protects against future corrosion! Yes, Rust Patrol excels as a penetrating oil and lubricant, but that’s not its main purpose – we prevent rust!

The best part? When your next service rolls around, your mechanic won’t be wrestling with that bolt again, saving time (and maybe a few choice words). Less chance of damage. Less likelihood of costly repairs. This kind of preventative treatment will extend the life of your car and its components!

Winning the Rusty Bolt War

As an auto-mechanic shop Christian Brothers Automotive excels at customer service and keeping costs down. Switching to Rust Patrol may not seem all that important, but small changes can make a huge difference, turning those all-too-familiar battles with bolts into easy victories – keeping their customer’s ride running smooth for many extra miles.

So, next time you take your car into your local shop, ask for Rust Patrol. Your car will thank you!

If you’re looking for an auto-shop or in need of repairs, Rust Patrol recommends Christian Brothers Automotive. Look for one in your area!