what did you use to clean your fuses?

[into69z]

I am working on cleaning up my electrical harness, checking grounds and looking for bad connections etc. I can't afford to replace the harness and the one I have isn't all cut up, so I figure I would just check and clean all connections and grounds. One area I have questions on is the fuse panel-the area where the fuses are kept-those spring tensioned metal ends-has anyone attempted to clean these? I was wondering if using a q-tip with CLR or tarnex would work. I want to try with the fuse panel in-place. What are some of the things that you guys have done to do this?

[TheSeeker]

Ive used a q-tip and baking soda and water, just a little bit works fairly well, then Ill clean it up with a tiny wire brush. I dont know if its the correct way to do it, but I havent had any trouble yet XD.

[Roadmarks]

I imagine TARNEX would be a good choice! A company I used to work for used it on relay contacts without a problem. When it drys, it leaves a white residue, so when you're done, be sure to clean the fuse block with alcohol and be sure that it is DRY before powering up.

best wishes,

Les

[GASoline71]

This stuff...

Gary

[70cst]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

This stuff...

Gary

Thanks for the info...

[Papa-J]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

This stuff...

Gary

You can also use Contact Cleaner, same stuff. You should be able to pick it up at any local electrical wholesaler or car/truck wholesaler .

[GASoline71]

Best part about the one I posted the pic of... It leaves no residue, and dries very fast, so you can just plug stuff back together and go. No need for blowing parts with compressed air or wipey wipey with rags...

Gary

[mrein3]

I bought DeoxIT at Radio Shack. It came in a bubble pack with a small cleaner spray and a small lube spray. I've been very happy with the results.

[cdowns]

i spray real good with wd40 while i take my tiny cylindrical wire brushes and clean them up tthen with cotten swab apply a thin coat of dielectric grease to each contact b4 inserting fuses


when doing this make sure battery is disconncted

[into69z]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

This stuff...

Gary

Thanks-that's what I was looking for-I'm not as flexable as I once was and half-blind to boot! I'll give it a shot................Steve

[ChevLoRay]

Never thought about doing that kind of job, but in retrospect, I have done something similar.

The edge contacts on PC boards (for instance) were best cleaned by using one of the erasers that you use for erasing ballpoint ink. Art gum may also work, but the ink eraser was a little more abrasive.

An electrical contact cleaner that leaves no residue and is not flammable is good. I know that WD40 will displace water and has been used many times, but I have a problem using anything that leaves a film and/or is flammable, on any circuitry that may see a spark. After using the contact cleaner, be sure to use good clean air...like the stuff used for computer keyboards, etc.

[LockDoc]

-
I've cleaned a couple that had some rust issues with my Dremel and a small round stone. The stone is about the same diameter as a fuse, maybe just a hair bigger. Worked great.

LockDoc

[bobs409]

I must say that in all my years and all my vehicles, I've never had to clean my fuses. ??

Is this a common problem for some? Guess I've been lucky all this time and didn't know it.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by bobs409

I must say that in all my years and all my vehicles, I've never had to clean my fuses. ??

Is this a common problem for some? Guess I've been lucky all this time and didn't know it.

I've never cleaned a fuse holder inside of a car or truck before but that DeoxIT stuff works wonders on trailer connectors that have been dangling in the salt/snow all winter. And depth finder connectors that are out in the elements 6 months out of the year.

[into69z]

Originally Posted by bobs409

I must say that in all my years and all my vehicles, I've never had to clean my fuses. ??

Is this a common problem for some? Guess I've been lucky all this time and didn't know it.

I bought a 67 Camaro years ago and still have it-he car had a rust spot in the rear window frame that allowed water to get in and cause everything to "moisture up' including the fuse panel. I am going thru the wiring on my 69 truck and wanted to clean the Camaro wiring as well. I will be up grading the alternators and adding a/c, electric fans and upgraded headlights so I want to know all connections are as clean possible and will provide many miles of reliable service-I hate breaking down

[ChevLoRay]

All electrical connectors, whether in a vehicle or in a home/industrial environment, need to be clean and tight. A small amount of "wiggle room" can cause a fire. The movement can trigger an arc that might be just enough to ignite a flammable vapor.

My first car that I ever bought was a '54 Ford. In my innocence, I thought that I needed to carry a gallon of gasoline...didn't want to run out on the 15-mile drive to/from work as a senior in school. One Friday nite, I had gotten my paycheck....22 hours at $1.15/hr....and spent $3.50 on 10 gallons of Texaco Sky Chief Supreme gas...then headed home. About 5 miles from home, I got rear-ended. My car was a mild custom, and the bumper guards had been removed. I was hit by an almost new '65 Impala. My tail lights were folded downward at a 60-degree angle, by the impact. My trunk was unlatched by the same impact, and the lid was up. There were 2 other cars involved, too. As I was looking in my trunk, that gallon can of gas had the same fold as the back of my car....since it was setting in the left rear corner of the trunk. It didn't leak, but to this day...I've never carried a can of gas as a preventative measure. Old gas cans were metal...not the poly of today.

Now, just think....if I'd had any electrical issues with the tail light just above that can of gas....and if the can had leaked....I might not be here, and some more people could have been hurt.

It happens in houses, too.

So, keep those connectors clean and tight. Usually, it's not the fuses as much as the other connectors, but if you have doubts....clean 'em.

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by bobs409

I must say that in all my years and all my vehicles, I've never had to clean my fuses. ??

Is this a common problem for some? Guess I've been lucky all this time and didn't know it.

i've noticed that the guys that dont take the effort to clean electrical componets ride with dim lights and call problems gremlins

[bobs409]

Fuses never wiggle though. They snap in rather tightly. I've never seen any rust or corrosion on any of my cars or trucks and never had a problem. I guess you guys have water leaks or something. ??

['68OrangeSunshine]

I've used Q-tips w/ Brasso on the contacts, followed up by tiny rolls of fine sandpaper twirled in the contact clips. Sometimes small modelers files, or Ignition files. Sometimes strips of Scotchbrite. Shots of Blue Shower to clean up. Silicon dielectric grease after the fact.