How to Remove Old Paint from Rubber Battery Cables?

1950 - 1968, M38, M38A1, M170, modifications, sugestions, and ideas, official MWO's and unofficial field mods.
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w30bob
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How to Remove Old Paint from Rubber Battery Cables?

Post by w30bob » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:59 am

Hi Guys,

Not really a modification, so maybe this one doesn't belong here.......but here goes. The battery cables in my A1 have old OD paint on them in places and I want to get it off without screwing up the rubber. I spent an hour yesterday with a brass wire brush, and every cleaner/degreaser I could find that I thought wouldn't damage the rubber.......but that is some tough paint! Flexing the cable repeatedly to make the paint crack works to an extent, and then it stops working.

I even tried some non-chlorinated brake cleaner, which I know isn't good for the rubber, and that didn't touch the paint either. So before I start trying the more serious chemicals (and probably mess up the rubber), has anybody figured out a way to get the old paint off? I'll man-up at some point and buy new cables, but for now these are in good shape, just ugly. So any suggestions you have would be appreciated.

thanks,
bob


Fabrizio
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Re: How to Remove Old Paint from Rubber Battery Cables?

Post by Fabrizio » Thu Apr 06, 2017 9:36 am

Try (low pressure) bead blasting, rubber will be nicer than new!
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w30bob
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Re: How to Remove Old Paint from Rubber Battery Cables?

Post by w30bob » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:31 am

Hi Fabrizio,

Yes......good idea! I blast a lot and totally forgot that rubber is unaffected by the blaster we have at work. You Da Man!!

thanks,
bob

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dpcd67
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Re: How to Remove Old Paint from Rubber Battery Cables?

Post by dpcd67 » Sat Apr 29, 2017 2:58 pm

Sure; I use Xylene, and wipe it off quickly. Hasn't melted any rubber so far. Do not let it soak.
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w30bob
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Re: How to Remove Old Paint from Rubber Battery Cables?

Post by w30bob » Sat May 13, 2017 5:52 pm

Thanks DP. I've got some nice old rubber I'm about to try the wintergreen trick on. I'll let you know how it goes.

regards,
bob


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