how to prevent this rust?

My jeep has roughly just over 500 miles on it (almost a year since completion). I have driven it n the rain and even washed it. I noticed some rust on these stainless steel bolts for my hood. I assume it came from the hood holes where the bolts mount. One cannot paint in there. Is there a way to seal the opening so water can't get in it and cause this issue? I may have to buy new hinges if these don't clean up.
Thanks,
Paul

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It looks like rust is only on the washers, maybe they were regular steel instead of stainless. I would remove the bolts one by one, clean the hinge real good under where the bolt head was, and replace the washer with a new stainless one. It may be OK after that.

 

Lower grade Stainless can still rust. See if you can find 308, or even better 316 Stainless washers.

 

I had this problem shortly after installing some similar hinges on my cj7, buff off the rust or replace with some better grade stainless, then Wax Them.
I cleaned mine up with some stuff in a blue jar, I'll look for a pic
here it is,

found it at the local Farm and Fleet store.

 

The rust could also be coming from underneath the washer.

If this is the case, then just pull it apart, clean everything up, and put it back together with a bit of silicone sealer in the bolt hole.

 

I was thinking if I can clean the rust off easily enough then likely the culprit was water seepage into the bolt hole. What kind of silicone sealant? Anything special? I will look for some of that blue magic cream..

 

Take them off clean them up and than get some engine enamel clear,
spray them let sit in hot sun a hour or so reinstall and your rust days will be over

 

Most any kind of sealant will do the job.

What you are doing is trying to keep the water out. You could even put a thin bead on the bottom of the hinge around the outer perimeter, let it cure, and rub the part that squishes out off.

Blue silicone is easy to rub off after it cures, so that is a plus.

Also, like was mentioned above, be sure you are using good quality SS washers and screws.

 

had a similar problem with cheap stainless. Being on a budget i just sanded it of with high grit sand paper and then waxed it haven't had any rust since.

 

looks like the rust was coming from the washers. I am heading to Lowes and will see if I can find some good grade SS washers.

 

Good luck at Lowes. Do you have a marine shop near by? You can generally get good stainless from those.

 

I think I can find one...there is a lake nearby...308 or 316 as mentioned... Thanks..