Black oxide vs plating

Just a note on corrosion resistance of black oxide vs plating. Black Oxide is just that, Oxidation of the surface of the bolt. The rust resistance is dependent on the light oil treatment that is done at the end of the black oxide process. If you wash black oxided parts (or bolts) in solvent and remove the oil, they will rust very quickly. After washing, oil should be applied and it will be held by the black oxidation. I like black oxide because it can be maintained with oil.

If the plating on cad or zinc plated bolts is too thin, rust starts and there's nothing you can do about it. (Unless you have one of those back-yard-bucket plating operations!)

Dave Gomes

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