Cleaning up corroded wiring?

[L14MNP]

I have finished all of the extention work on my Volvos engine bay loom, except for the headlights/sidelights/side reps on both sides. This is because the copper in the wires is corroded and won't tin up.

What's the best for cleaning this up? I tried production paper, it improved a bit, but not enough. I should have took a pic, the wire's aren't completely ruined, just a little blackened.

My mate suggested trying Cillit Bang - which I am going to. We've all seen what it does to a penny!

Acquiring another loom won't really help, as the (newer) donor loom I have been taking lengths from also has the same issues.

Short of re-wiring these sections I can't think of anything else (if the CB fails) Google time.

[L14MNP]

Google seems to agree with my mate. There's a guy on a Renault forum that's used it to good results.

[Jack]

I'd be a little concerned about the long term effects of CB - remember although BARRY SCOTT uses it on a PENNY it does say not to use it on copper!

[L14MNP]

lol @ caps for Bazza! It's a shame they toned him down for later appearances. I think they tranq'd him just before they started filming.

If it makes a penny good as new, good as new g-g-g-good as new then it may do what I need. No harm in trying it on copper I guess. Just CBA to go out in the rain and get a bottle.

Agreed, long term it won't be the best, but I think i will end up re-wiring the old girl. I just plan this for the relative short term.

[Andy]

just what you need- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPONH2j4In8
haha lol lol lol

[Mike]

I'd be a little concerned about the long term effects of CB - remember although BARRY SCOTT uses it on a PENNY it does say not to use it on copper!

Long term effects...... where's Barry Scott now then, he's disappeared to lol lol

[Bubba]

just what you need- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPONH2j4In8
haha lol lol lol

on rust you say? lol

[Spudly]

on rust you say? lol



Lol dont use it on your nova ffs, there will be nothing left lol

[Southie]

This any use Limp >link (http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-clean-corroded-electrical-wires)<

As regards to the cilit bang I'd be careful because it could perish the wire if it's that strong in cleaning a penny, I mean if you drop a penny in a can of coke it does the same but would you clean electrical wires with that lol

[mowgli]

use the cillit sparingly, then rinse it off, then heat gun it & wd40 it. job jobbed

[L14MNP]

Ah! Another thread I forgot about lol

Thanks to all. +ve rep shall be left.

[C612DNM]

BANG and the wire was gone!!

Yes, be careful with it, and clean up carefully after. Spray on copper grease is useful.

In bad cases it's a case of replace the wire - when the corrosion has been there for some time, the junction (joint where the wire meets the chassis) can get hot (boiling!!) and this can lead to the wire oxidising badly - where you won't be able get a decent connection on it again!, so the options available are to strip it back to where it's not oxidised and replace, or replace the lot.

Be careful it poking around with your fingers when the engine is running/things are switched on. When I said the corroded junctions can be boiling, I do mean 100degC!!

I have a funky IR temp gauge with laser pointer, and it's great for spotting these dodgy joints without getting burnt fingers!!

[cumbrianchris]

I use coke'a'cola to clean anything copper, does take a while though. God only knows what it does to your guts but seems to to a pretty good job of copper fittings.

Though I'm not sure that cleaning wire up will do you many favours, not a great deal of metal to go at before your left with nothing. I would replace rather than clean.