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Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:10 pm

I think therefore I am more on.
Along those lines it dawned upon me that a strong liquid acid dip would make quick work of dissolving tarnish and corrosion on wiring spades and connectors.

Is there a mild acid that would be safer, be easily neutralized and effective? Or do use steal your wife's emory board, slip it and hope it fits inside the connectors and gets some of the tarnish while she doesn't notice?
Thoughts?

Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:19 pm

yes, a strong vinegar - acetic acid - I buy the acetic acid used for developing film (that was the thing before digital, right?) and dilute it

Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:46 pm

I use an aerosol Electrical Contact Cleaner. Any auto store. The pressure action cleans where you simply can't inside connector female pins and spades. Safe and effective.

Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:29 pm

Doug, I've never found one that cleans as well as acid on those CU-oxide fouled connectors. I do use one after the acid to clean away the acid and leave a protective deposit.

BTW acid may need an overnight bath to work

Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:39 pm

I like the DeoxIT brand cleaners for removing minor oxidation and surface corrosion.

Any terminals that can't be cleaned up with a quick spray should probably be investigated further, since the corrosion often tends to travel up the wires under the insulation.

Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:43 pm

I've used CRC contact cleaner but that just gets the dust off.

thatvwbusguy wrote: I like the DeoxIT brand cleaners for removing minor oxidation and surface corrosion.

Is this the stuff?

http://www.radioshack.com/deoxit-d5s-6-spray-contact-cleaner-and-rejuvenator/6400249.html#start=1

The directions "imply" that it will remove the corrosion and leave a protective coating? Sounds too good to be true. Do you add any kind of other protective coating like dielectric grease?

thanks everyone.

Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:47 pm

Ive always used baking soda and water. Not an acid but it works and I don't worry about the residue corroding other things

Sun Dec 14, 2014 8:30 pm

buildyourown wrote: Ive always used baking soda and water. Not an acid but it works and I don't worry about the residue corroding other things

How do you apply it? Do you dip the connectors into the water with dissolved baking soda? What ratio do you mix?

Thanks for sharing.

Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:18 pm

Be sure to remove the sheath and check that the corrosion hasn't extend into the wire. On the boats I work on it is not uncommon to find damage from corrosion over 15' to 20' (yes feet) inside the wire. If you are not seeing shiny copper when you strip the sheath then just putting a new end on or cleaning the end will not correct the problem. Keep cutting back the wire until you find clean copper, if you don't or you run out of length than it is time to replace the entire length of wire or cable. The purple or brown or rust colored corroded wire will still conduct but it will have enough added resistance internally to cause issues depending on what it is used for.

Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:54 pm

rmcd wrote: buildyourown wrote: Ive always used baking soda and water. Not an acid but it works and I don't worry about the residue corroding other things

How do you apply it? Do you dip the connectors into the water with dissolved baking soda? What ratio do you mix?

Thanks for sharing.

Either, but it works best if it's submerged. I just fill a little jelly jar and dunk the ends in. They get all foamy and come out sparkly clean after a few minutes.

Mon Dec 15, 2014 1:33 am

The DeoxIT D-Series is the product that I use most. It is available in 5% or 100% strength. I don't think the D-Series has any protective properties to speak of. I always use dielectric grease for connections that need to be protected from the elements.

If you do find wires that show lots of corrosion under the insulation, tinned marine wire is the best choice for replacement. Greg's Marine Wire Supply has high quality marine wire made in the USA. They offer great pricing and even better service! https://gregsmarinewiresupply.com/Zen/