[T2] Stainless bolts for dropgates

[Kevin Guarnotta]

Thanks. I don't know about stainless accepting paint. I was thinking of painting the gates, powder coating the latching hardware, and leaving the bolts stainless. If you paint the bolts - and then go to unscrew the bolt - the paint around it will flake off. If I paint first, then put it together -the right parts will be painted, everything but the screws. That is why I'd use SS screws. McMaster has the screws for about $8 for 25. That should be enough for all the gates. The original bolts did last 40+ years, I am just thinking of not painting the bolts. 

Overall - I'm thinking painting the body and the gates - possibly a two-tone (like it is now, but different colors). Powdercoating the gate hardware - as that gets banged over and over when you latch it. The paint was sort of chipped off there - oddly enough that latch hardware feels like cast iron or something - and for some reason it does not really rust?

-Kevin Guarnotta
Jamaica Plain, MA

'78 Westy
'69 Singlecab
'65 Ez-camper

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Morris or Irene Morris [mailto:downindixie at netzero.net] 
Subject: Re: [T2] Stainless bolts for dropgates

Kevin:
I recently did the same thing to my 65. I got standard steel replacements because they accept paint nicely but maybe stainless will also. Dice the bolts lasted 40 years, I'm good. I replaced the same ones in the door post/door so it can get pricey. 
Jim Morris in Charleston SC