Corroded Connectors

azopelnut · 03-04-2008

I am working on the wiring of non-Opel

that has many electrical connectors. I do not want to pry the metal spades out of the plastic housing as I don't want to break them in the process.
Are there any chemical cleaners or any other method that won't destroy the plastic connector but still clean the metal spade.

opelnut10 · 03-04-2008

Originally Posted by azopelnut

I am working on the wiring of non-Opel that has many electrical connectors. I do not want to pry the metal spades out of the plastic housing as I don't want to break them in the process.
Are there any chemical cleaners or any other method that won't destroy the plastic connector but still clean the metal spade.

They make a spray that electronic techs use to clean terminals and contacts. TV repairmen use to use it to cleaner tuners in TV's, I would try an electronic supply store or Radio Shack, etc.

opelnut_1 · 03-04-2008

be careful alot of the contact cleaners will cause some plastics to become VERY brittle. especially old connectors. be sure the contact cleaner states safe for plastic on it

Trust me!!!

namba209 · 03-04-2008

Paul, there was a product on the market some time ago called "Corrosion X". Used it on my receiver connections on my model racing boats, worked great at keeping the salt corrosion out of the connections. Their big selling point was dropping a TV into a barrel of it, plugged in to an AC source and the darn thing kept on working. IDK if it's still available though.

markandson · 03-04-2008

Getting the connectors out of the plugs is no big problem. You need a very small jewelers screwdriver or something similar. Look at the end of the connector, there is a small space on one side it is the side that is the closed side of the metal female or male inside the plastic block. Stick the screwdriver down into the slot and create pressure on the metal connector, this will push the small piece out of the way that acts as a barb to hold the metal piece in. All you have to do to put it back together is push the small barb back out a little so that it springs into place. Make sure you document the location of all the wires in the plug/socket before you start taking wires out

. You can clean the metal parts very nicely with a dremel tool and a small wire brush that they sell, I have burned up a dozen or so of them during my rebuild, and I'm not done yet.

2 Fast 4 U · 03-04-2008

Originally Posted by markandson

Getting the connectors out of the plugs is no big problem. You need a very small jewelers screwdriver or something similar. Look at the end of the connector, there is a small space on one side it is the side that is the closed side of the metal female or male inside the plastic block. Stick the screwdriver down into the slot and create pressure on the metal connector, this will push the small piece out of the way that acts as a barb to hold the metal piece in. All you have to do to put it back together is push the small barb back out a little so that it springs into place. Make sure you document the location of all the wires in the plug/socket before you start taking wires out . You can clean the metal parts very nicely with a dremel tool and a small wire brush that they sell, I have burned up a dozen or so of them during my rebuild, and I'm not done yet.

That is the only safe way to do it

03-04-2008	#1 (permalink)
azopelnut Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Yuma Arizona Posts: 636 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Unanswered: Corroded Connectors I am working on the wiring of non-Opel that has many electrical connectors. I do not want to pry the metal spades out of the plastic housing as I don't want to break them in the process. Are there any chemical cleaners or any other method that won't destroy the plastic connector but still clean the metal spade.

03-04-2008	#3 (permalink)
opelnut_1 Opelnut Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 209 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	be careful alot of the contact cleaners will cause some plastics to become VERY brittle. especially old connectors. be sure the contact cleaner states safe for plastic on it Trust me!!! Last edited by tekenaar; 03-04-2008 at 12:54 PM. Reason: cleanors

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03-04-2008	#4 (permalink)
namba209 5,000 Post Club Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego Posts: 5,924 Classified Rating: 0% (0) Provided Answers: 1	Paul, there was a product on the market some time ago called "Corrosion X". Used it on my receiver connections on my model racing boats, worked great at keeping the salt corrosion out of the connections. Their big selling point was dropping a TV into a barrel of it, plugged in to an AC source and the darn thing kept on working. IDK if it's still available though.

03-04-2008	#5 (permalink)
markandson Senior Contributor Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kent Lakes, NY Posts: 1,380 Classified Rating: 0% (0) Provided Answers: 1	Getting the connectors out of the plugs is no big problem. You need a very small jewelers screwdriver or something similar. Look at the end of the connector, there is a small space on one side it is the side that is the closed side of the metal female or male inside the plastic block. Stick the screwdriver down into the slot and create pressure on the metal connector, this will push the small piece out of the way that acts as a barb to hold the metal piece in. All you have to do to put it back together is push the small barb back out a little so that it springs into place. Make sure you document the location of all the wires in the plug/socket before you start taking wires out . You can clean the metal parts very nicely with a dremel tool and a small wire brush that they sell, I have burned up a dozen or so of them during my rebuild, and I'm not done yet.

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