Saving 75+ Year Old Nuts and Bolts?

My local mom-and-pop hardware store is closed on Sundays, so I spent the better part of the morning media blasting, wire wheeling, and chasing threads on the original hardware from the basket case Dana 41 rear axle project. Would you go to the trouble of cleaning up 75+ year old American made hardware? Or would you go to the local big box hardware store and replace it all?
#willysjeep #cj2a #questionablelifechoices #flatfender #jeepbuild #jeepwillys #diy #shorts

[@Texas_taildraggin]

I wish I had the patience, time and forethought to save my hardware on my current 3a project. I told myself I’d upgrade with new hardware…. But I only fooled myself, as they don’t make bolts as good as they use to.

[@ginacoronel6872]

I always save all the original bolts and chase their threads, unless they are really mangled up. I don't sandblast them thought, just wire wheel.

[@SunkCostGarage]

Mine were mostly intact but had some significant rust on them from sitting outside for awhile, that was the only reason for sandblasting this time. Wire wheel couldn't take off the scale.

[@jeepcjgarage]

That’s exactly what I would do! Original hardware fits better and is better quality imho - the next 75 years are going to be a lot easier on it than the first so why not preserve as much as possible.

[@user-hd6wi812]

soak emnin mystery oil too🎉