ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Processes, Products & Techniques => Topic started by: midlife on October 05, 2011, 09:19:13 AM

Title: Evaporust and Wiring
Post by: midlife on October 05, 2011, 09:19:13 AM

Yesterday, I played around with Evaporust and wiring, specifically a 1966 fuse box that was reasonably rusty.  After 1.5 hours, there was little improvement, so I went a full 17 hours (overnight!).  There was some improvement, but to tell you the truth, I was very disappointed in the results.  I think the issue is that the fuse box clips are cad-plated, nickel-plated, and copper cores, although some appear to be steel-cored.  Evaporust appears to work best on steel and iron rust.  The Evaporust did not affect the insulation of the wires or the bakelite fuse box itself. 

I think I'm going to stick with bead-blasting the fuse box and clips to get rid of the rust, followed by a coating of dielectric grease to prevent rust.

Here are the before, during, and after pictures:
Starting out:
(http://midlife66.com/harnesses/pics/evaporust/0front.jpg)(http://midlife66.com/harnesses/pics/evaporust/0back.jpg)

After 1.5 hours:
(http://midlife66.com/harnesses/pics/evaporust/1_5front.jpg)(http://midlife66.com/harnesses/pics/evaporust/1_5back.jpg)

And after 17 hours:
(http://midlife66.com/harnesses/pics/evaporust/17_front.jpg)(http://midlife66.com/harnesses/pics/evaporust/17_back.jpg)

Title: Re: Evaporust and Wiring
Post by: TLea on October 05, 2011, 09:51:23 AM

You may want to wait longer Randy. I've had some parts that really didn't start to clean up until 3-4 days. You can scrub with a nylon toothbrush once a day and that seems to help

Title: Re: Evaporust and Wiring
Post by: midlife on October 05, 2011, 05:00:19 PM

Well, that'll really drag out the timeframe for me to refurbish harnesses!  I can bead-blast the fuse box and any male/female bullet connectors and apply dielectric grease in less than 5 minutes. 

The important thing, though...is if anyone wants to apply evaporust, it doesn't hurt the wire insulation.

Title: Re: Evaporust and Wiring
Post by: CharlesTurner on October 05, 2011, 06:31:19 PM

How old is your evaporust?  If it's been used a lot, it might not be as potent as it was.  Might try a new bottle.

Title: Re: Evaporust and Wiring
Post by: midlife on October 05, 2011, 09:29:10 PM

Second use; the first was a test sample on a single bolt, nut and washer in a small jar.

Title: Re: Evaporust and Wiring
Post by: Aussiemach on October 06, 2011, 05:29:29 AM

Midlife, what temperature would your evaporust be during use ? It works faster when it's warmer.
I have a couple of fish tank heaters in the tubs with the evaporust, heats to about 80 degrees F.

Title: Re: Evaporust and Wiring
Post by: midlife on October 06, 2011, 10:28:35 PM

This was in my climate-controlled garage: 76*.

Title: Re: Evaporust and Wiring
Post by: 68 S Code on October 07, 2011, 12:50:54 AM

I have had some but very few poor results with evaporust. You mentioned that zinc coated parts didn't work well. I've found the opposite with zinc. Took the rear 1/4 window slider plates and front side window frames which are both zinc coated steel and after a day of soaking any rust disappeared and zinc looked feashly plated. I have SS trim rings and GT caps soaking as I am posting.