Paint overspray removal from wire harness
#2795894
07/12/20 05:27 PM
07/12/20 05:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 268 Va
383S_Fastback
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OP
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Looking for recommendations to remove paint overspray from a wire harness. The overspray has been on for at least 30 years so my guess it's enamel, before I start experimenting thought I would ask if anybody knows what works best or if you've tried something and it didn't work or messed up the insulation I would like to hear that too. Hope to remove the overspray and leave the wire markings intact but that's probably not going to happen. Thanks. Lee
'67 & '68 Barracuda FB's '70 AAR Cuda '89 Ramcharger 4x4 '06 Ram 2500 CTD 6 spd
...Mopars are always way out back Between the muddy river and the rusty railroad track Yeah, the Mopars are always hard to find But you can always find a few There’s Cordobas and Furys and Darts and Dusters too There’s a Diplomat with a Swinger A new Yorker a Demon and a Scamp And there’s a 68 Barracuda grill with both headlamps...Slaid Cleaves - Skunk Juice
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Re: Paint overspray removal from wire harness
[Re: maximus]
#2796069
07/13/20 08:58 AM
07/13/20 08:58 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,519 Lansing, MI
70gtx440dana
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master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,519
Lansing, MI
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I have been using cheap thinner and a rag to wipe down all my wiring harnesses in the restorations over the years. Yes some of the paint has been on the wires for over 20 years.I clean them a few times until the wires look like new. It removes old oil and grease along with the paints. I use an old tooth brush to scrub the end connectors with the thinner. After cleaning I always check each wire with an ohm meter to see if there are any breaks in the wiring harness. The wires get brittle with age. This method has worked for years of cleaning. Hope this helps. I use lacquer thinner as well. Works quite well. You sometimes loose markings on the wire.
70 Road Runner 383-4 4 speed FJ5 & black guts 70 Charger R/T 440-4 4 speed FJ5 & white guts
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Re: Paint overspray removal from wire harness
[Re: 383S_Fastback]
#2796770
07/14/20 11:54 PM
07/14/20 11:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 268 Va
383S_Fastback
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Thanks for the reply's and suggestions. Should have mentioned the wire type in 1st post, it's a '70 Cuda trunk harness so it has open wires and some with the cotton braid cover. Tried a couple areas where the wires are exposed along with cleaning the sockets, so far its looking much better. Have only tried acetone and some 3M citrus base cleaner, found that most paint on the wires will scrape off with a finger nail, the sockets not quite so easy. What seemed to work was the citrus base cleaner sprayed on a rag then wipe down the wires, the sockets required a little more effort. I saw the post referring to citrus cleaners causing corrosion after i had already used some, hopefully it wasn't on long enough to start corrosion. Only did a couple small areas to test the outcome. Will go with lacquer thinner next time i have a chance to work on it. The cotton braid may not survive since it's brittle & ready to disintegrate. Here's some before & after pics. Thanks. Lee
Edit: I should have mentioned the pic with 3 sockets started out all white prior to cleaning.
Last edited by 383S_Fastback; 07/15/20 12:00 AM.
'67 & '68 Barracuda FB's '70 AAR Cuda '89 Ramcharger 4x4 '06 Ram 2500 CTD 6 spd
...Mopars are always way out back Between the muddy river and the rusty railroad track Yeah, the Mopars are always hard to find But you can always find a few There’s Cordobas and Furys and Darts and Dusters too There’s a Diplomat with a Swinger A new Yorker a Demon and a Scamp And there’s a 68 Barracuda grill with both headlamps...Slaid Cleaves - Skunk Juice
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