Cleaning female bullet connectors

[timtune]

Any tips? I'm about to go through the whole harness (1976 Honda) before it goes back on. The males are easy but like in life the female is a different story.

 

[somebody]

how about those air brush cleaning bristles?....inexpensive & comes with a few sizes. good for cleaning different types of tiny holes.
+ motor spray/electronic cleaner

 

[timtune]

Where would you get those?

I think they might be to gentle- I assume for an airbrush they're nylon or similar plastic. I really think a wire bristle is needed. I've used bits of rolled up sandpaper but it sooooo tedius.

I'm really hoping for bitzz to chime in with the magic solution.

Would dangling the ends in a ultra sonic cleaner bath work?

 

[somebody]

just google air brush cleaning bristles....you will get crap load of options. You can find them in art supply stores but looks like amazon & walmart has the same or similar products. they are good for scrapping off dried paint.

 

[GreyGhost]

Split shaft with a small strip of sandpaper inserted. Chuck the shaft in a drill and it should be quick.

 

[Gary]

Anything that'll fit the connector and the dremel, or fine wire brushes, or at the Princess:

 

[Relax]

When in doubt, Princess Auto.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/20-pc-bore-brush-set/product/PA0008692493

https://www.princessauto.com/en/10-pc-wire-tube-brush-set/product/PA0008668766

 

[GreyGhost]

When in doubt, Princess Auto.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/20-pc-bore-brush-set/product/PA0008692493

https://www.princessauto.com/en/10-pc-wire-tube-brush-set/product/PA0008668766

I like this solution better than mine. Cheaper and less grit left in connector. I'd still cut the ends off set two and use them in a drill.

 

[somebody]

When in doubt, Princess Auto.

This is what I was referring to as air brush cleaning bristle.....

 

[racepro171]

just run the connector in and out a few times it will clean its self.

 

[Mad Mike]

Any tips? I'm about to go through the whole harness (1976 Honda) before it goes back on. The males are easy but like in life the female is a different story.

I use .17cal barrel brush, fits perfectly into bullet connector. Use a low speed drill or twist between your fingers.

Hoppe's No. 9 Phosphor Bronze Brush.17/.204 Caliber, Centerfire/17HMR Rifle : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors

Hoppe's No. 9 Phosphor Bronze Brush.17/.204 Caliber, Centerfire/17HMR Rifle : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.ca

When I put connectors back together, I coat them with GB OxGard. It's great because it works with Aluminum, brass and copper-- you will never need to clean a connector again.

 

[Hack]

How dare you assume the gender of a connector... Triggered I am.

 

[timtune]

When in doubt, Princess Auto.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/20-pc-bore-brush-set/product/PA0008692493

https://www.princessauto.com/en/10-pc-wire-tube-brush-set/product/PA0008668766

The top ones look too big judging by the bits. The bottom looks good. I like GG's idea of cutting and chucking in the drill.

I also like MM's barrel brush knowing it's the right size. Are those available at crappy tire and the like? There's a CT in town but PA is a bit of a drive.

 

[timtune]

I gotta throw this out once more - what about the ultra sonic cleaner? If it worked it would be the perfect solution for someone as lazy as I.

 

[Robbo]

Grab a small can of electrical contact cleaner from CT.


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[Relax]

How bad are they? Maybe just contact cleaner and a q-tip would do.

 

[timtune]

How bad are they? Maybe just contact cleaner and a q-tip would do.

Not sure yet. I'm going through a few harnesses I have to find the best one. Regardless they're all circa mid 70 so I assume cleaning will be in order.

 

[TK4]

Take the mating male connector and cover it in dielectric grease, then plug and unplug it a few times. You'll be fine.

 

[Robbo]

Take the mating male connector and cover it in dielectric grease, then plug and unplug it a few times. You'll be fine.

I do that after I clean the connection with contact cleaner.


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[Mad Mike]

I gotta throw this out once more - what about the ultra sonic cleaner? If it worked it would be the perfect solution for someone as lazy as I.

Your issue with bullet connectors is oxidation, this is not easily removed with ultrasonic cleaning, it does come off easy with a wire brush and a mild acidic cleaner. If the connectors are aluminum, you will need the wire brush as the powdery aluminum oxide is an insulator. Brass is less a problem, you might get away with just contact cleaner.

The most foolproof is to cut off the bullets and replace with new brass. Not hard, not expensive, just tedious. But do is cleaning .