How do you clean all the wiring connections in a beetle so that all the electrics work 100%. My 54 model has been sitting for some time now and all the electrics have minor gremlins! Most of the screw connections, light bulb tabs, fuse box etc have since tarnished and this is creating bad connections.
Is there a product available that you can dip the terminals in to clean?
Is there a magic spray?
I was going to use weak acid, but thought I would ask for advice first.:thumb
I usually use a wire brush and a small round wire brush in an electrical very small hand held drill...
if the wire is OK, not contaminated and nice and shiney, I cut the ends off and resolder new connectors..
I know You like using the original wiring, but New wire and connectors really make a difference
I would add relays for the headlamps
for nice bright headlamps
but early VWs just used -what You saw is what You got.
Only switches and fuse boxes..
and plenty of fuses..
I've seen that tarn-off add on TV a long time ago,
never tried it, but they dipped old copper coins in it
and they came up like NEW...
I don't know if You can buy it in shops or its one of those special buy from TV shops only??
Best of Luck
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
Craig Torrens6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion
The actual Battery terminals themselves are usually made from Lead...
The wire terminals that sit on them can be copper or ??
Usually, battery terminal cleaners are for cleaning the acid from them...
[Boiling water does the same thing..]
I have some CRC CO2 cleaner somewhere, never tried it on old copper connectors though
I suppose an acid bath then clean with water then air dry... it should work OK...
I would then spray them with WD40 or similar
to keep them in good shape..
best of Luck
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
Use dielectric grease when you put those nice clean terminals back together.
Tip from a retro motorcyclist!
kkk
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Its dilute Nitric Acid or Electro platers call it Brite dip
Get along to your closest Eletroplating shop and take 2 small jars with you and ask if you can get some from them, theres a neutraliser but i carnt remeber the name
Dip the treminal in the acid for a few seconds then in the other jar n wash off with warm water takes all the corosion n crud off in seconds
i also use alkleen or alibrite acid.. dilute it use gloves and dont breath in the fumes as it'll burn ya.. but it does the job
cleans ali and chrome a treat in seconds.. but it it is dangerous stuff....
fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse
If you can't find dielectric grease, you can use petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Works a treat. Have always used it on my battery terminals and connectors.
A POSSE AD ESSE.
I live in my own little world, but it's okay, they know me here.
My suggestion has alread been mentioned but I have always just poured boiling water over the terminals and then coated them in petrolium jelly. Never needed to do it more than once. Put an old towel under the bettery before you do so the dilute acid power dosen't eat through your floor in the following months.
Of course there are lots of great suggestions to choose from by the looks.
i use a product from chemsearch called NC-123 extra
works wounders but is very dear over $20 a can
but if that doesnt work i got one of those tiny brush sets from one of the cheap shops has one wire brush one brass brush and a nilon brush, the brass one works really well on electrical connections
u'd be amazed the difference in your vw just cleaning every contact can make
my yellow beetle had shocking headlights, hibeam was worse than most cars low beam
i checked the voltage - 9.63v:o
combine that with crappy brazilian reflectors that were rust brown and 40/45w bulbs (old round type) and no tin deflectors (must have with old round bulbs) its no wounder i couldnt see at night
Can't beat vinegar or lemon juice for a mild acid, remember soaking coins as a kid?
Was also thinking, what about that spray on (plastic) skin you can get from the chemist, some of that sprayed on clean connections after fitting, would seal them from the air, preventing corrosion, especially on older screw type connectors. It's clear and not messy, don't know about cost.
