I like to take what’s rusty in my engine compartment out to sand, prime, and paint it. Last time I did this to some bolts. I remember when tightening the bolts after the process some of the paint would come off and brown primer would show. What would be the easiest way to make it look good without the paint chipping off after using the wrench to tighten them?

Would detailing them after they have been tightened be the easiest way?

 

You could wrap some masking tape around the bolt, tighten, then remove the tape.

 

Or if you can get to the bolt after it's been installed you could mask it off real quick and spray it real quick to touch it up.

Or find yourself a model paintbrush and spray some of the paint on a piece of paper or cardboard and touch it up with the paintbrush.

 

Im with you the tape keeps from chiping the paint off

 

Not if you need to put any sort of torque on it. I say take them out and either clean them up with a wire wheel, or get replacement stainless steel 12 point bolts from ARP or something

 

I would say to use a brush applied paint. Just hit it after you torque it down.