8 replies to this topic

[mk=john]

Hi
I am restoring my 1960 mini, and initially considered getting a new engine bay electrical harness for it.

However, perhaps I should have a go at cleaning the original one, as it is in full working order, and will give the car some `patina'

It is a cloth covered one, and so after all the years of use is pretty grimy.

Anyway, I have heard things like leaving it overnight in some kind of cleaning solution.

Has anyone on here done this before, and what type of cleaner or detergent can be used?

Thanks
John

[dklawson]

I think methods of cleaning the harness are described in the Lindsay Porter book on Mini restoration. From memory, they had some steps about soaking lengths of the harness in a mild degreaser and blotting the harness with paper towels to remove the cleaner and dirt. This was repeated several times to spruce up the appearance of the braid.

With my car I had numerous splices and repairs from previous owners. I also found that the color of the inner wires (also individually color coded with cloth over-wrap) was gone. Since I couldn't read the color codes of the individual wires and there were many repairs to "fix", I just bought a replacement harness rather than re-use the original one. Hopefully yours is in better condition.

[E-Tizzle]

quote from the lucy porter book. i.e mini restoration manual.

"coil the wiring loom and place it in a shallow pan of warm soapy water. SQUEEZE BUT DO NOT SCRUB the loom until it is clean as it will get before it begins to unravel, then hang it in the garage to completely dry. pvc covered wires can be cleaned to almost new lustre by spraying a rag with an aerosol carburetor cleaner, and wiping the sludge and grease with a rag."

hope that helps

[midridge2]

never tried it as i fitted a new harness but have heard of people putting them in the washing machine.

[1964Woody]

never tried it as i fitted a new harness but have heard of people putting them in the washing machine.

Wife's gonna love that one.

[dklawson]

Regarding the washing machine.... I have friends who wash many types of parts (cars parts and electronic boards) in the dishwasher... but not a clothes washing machine. I guess a dishwasher would be OK with a harness. However, a clothes washer would rip one apart.

[Tom Sanderson]

Have you considered recovering it? We have self amalgamating tape at work and i used that to recover my wiring loom. It looks like new now!

[midridge2]

using a bit brain power, it could be put in a old pillow case first then into the washing machine.

[Guess-Works.com]

New loom... you think about it, the wires are possibly 50 years old... some things are just not worth messing about with.