TurboFource
TurboFource HalfDork
12/14/23 9:07 a.m.

I am starting to go through the wiring on my Europa, is there a tool/chemical etc that will

help facilitate the cleaning of all the connections? Advice appreciated!

 

So far I see no evidence of critters eating the insulation so that is a plus!

Professor_Brap (Forum Supporter)
Professor_Brap (Forum Supporter) UberDork
12/14/23 9:40 a.m.

I normally will 

A: pull harness and put it in the ultrasonic

B: clean with simple green and various small brushes and finish with dialectic grease. 

ChrisTropea
ChrisTropea Associate Editor
12/14/23 9:44 a.m.

CRC also makes an electrical cleaner that works really good. CRC® QD® Electronic Cleaner

MiniDave
MiniDave HalfDork
12/14/23 12:13 p.m.

Yes, but do any of the chemical sprays really clean the corrosion off of brass  contacts and such under the push on connectors? I haven't found any that do......I've used lots of varieties of "Contact Cleaners" and they don't do E36 M3.....

JoeYuqui
JoeYuqui New Reader
12/18/23 12:10 p.m.

I find acetone works pretty great as a cleaner but be careful to not breathe it.   Baking soda and a scotchbrite pad work great too.   

I have some electrical cleaner spray but i consider i pretty much useless.   Alcohol can work pretty well too.   Avoid anything too harsh or you can eat the actual wire (avoid acids or strong bases).   The nice thing with baking soda is that it neutralizes both strong acids and bases.   

brandonsmash
brandonsmash Reader
12/18/23 2:15 p.m.

QD electronic cleaner is fine unless you have significant oxidation or corrosion. Then I don't know if there's anything to be done save for mechanical abrasion.

 

QuasiMofo (John Brown)
QuasiMofo (John Brown) MegaDork
12/18/23 2:16 p.m.

I have used PB Blast'r and a hard toothbrush followed up by brake cleaner, lubing with CRC dielectric and sealing the assembly with NOCO NCP2 sealant most recently on the Corvette. It works well enough.

JoeYuqui
JoeYuqui New Reader
12/19/23 4:26 p.m.

I've tried the CRC spray and not impressed.  I suppose it takes grease and contamination off of things like contacts and such, but I do not consider it useful for cleaning anything with corrosion.  

I'm afraid to use PB Blaster on anything but metal.  I'm just not sure of its chemistry and whether it will cause more corrosion in the future.  

TurboFource
TurboFource HalfDork
12/20/23 7:37 a.m.

Has anyone tried a tool like these?

bailion
bailion New Reader
12/20/23 8:02 a.m.

Ideally you use brass brushes or something abrasive to remove corrosion, the CRC Electronic Cleaner is really just to remove contaminates after. The file tools seem pretty handy, but a little sandpaper and anything to poke will work in a pinch. 

Shadeux
Shadeux SuperDork
12/20/23 8:38 a.m.

I use a dremel with a wire brush on it. Follow up with contact cleaner. I do have tiny files if that's not an option.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim MegaDork
12/20/23 8:52 a.m.

Depending on how corroded the connectors are, it might be worth trying some Deoxit (I think I spelled that correctly). Very popular in electronics repair. 

TurboFource
TurboFource HalfDork
12/21/23 9:17 p.m.

I ordered the cleaning file tool .... will post if they are any good after they get here next week

03Panther
03Panther PowerDork
1/17/24 8:56 p.m.

In reply to TurboFource :

Had not seen those. Pretty cool, if not too expensive.  
For slightly less corrosion, sometime a simple pencil eraser will do the trick. Not a great tool, but usually not too far from hand. 

adam525i
adam525i SuperDork
1/17/24 9:41 p.m.

This stuff is supposed to be the bee's knees but I haven't tried it personally (it's expensive/hard to find in Canada).

DeoxIT

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
1/18/24 12:32 a.m.

In reply to TurboFource :

I have a set, they work OK.

I prefer a stiff wire brush and contact cleaner if there's room to get the brush in there. 

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