Topic: Removing firewall sealant

[midlife]

I know a lot of you are applying the black sludgy-like material on the firewall as a sealant.  Does anyone have a good way to strip the factory stuff off of grommets, wires, and other items?  I run across this stuff quite a bit and it is a true pain to remove, if I can.  Liberal amounts of lacquer thinner and elbow grease can get some of it, but not all.  Any other suggestions?

Does anyone know for sure what the stuff was that Ford applied/used?

[J_Speegle]

Does anyone know for sure what the stuff was that Ford applied/used?

"For sure"?

If San Jose in 67 used what Ford specified then it was ESB-M2G43-A. Described in different areas of the manuals as an "adhesive" and in others "black sealant"

Consider that lacquer thinner can remove the stripes/markings on the wires. At for me it does

[Bob Gaines]

I know a lot of you are applying the black sludgy-like material on the firewall as a sealant.  Does anyone have a good way to strip the factory stuff off of grommets, wires, and other items?  I run across this stuff quite a bit and it is a true pain to remove, if I can.  Liberal amounts of lacquer thinner and elbow grease can get some of it, but not all.  Any other suggestions?

Does anyone know for sure what the stuff was that Ford applied/used?

I have used Kerosene in the past because it is less evasive on wire markings and will not swell rubber like the lacquer thinner does.

[midlife]

"For sure"?

If San Jose in 67 used what Ford specified then it was ESB-M2G43-A. Described in different areas of the manuals as an "adhesive" and in others "black sealant"

Consider that lacquer thinner can remove the stripes/markings on the wires. At for me it does

I've heard that LT removes stripes on wires over and over again.  Yes, there are some very specific wires that it does: fuel lines, fusible link wires and any rubberized wires that are painted.  I've been using LT for 10 years to clean wires and only aftermarket or repro wire stripes go away.  Really never had a problem with original Ford wires except those that I mention. 

Kerosene, eh?  Hmmm...

[preaction]

Try Goo be Gone it removes many  things and leaves the wire stripes. Its a great appearance rejuvenator.

[jwc66k]

I have used Kerosene in the past because it is less evasive on wire markings and will not swell rubber like the lacquer thinner does.

A word of caution: using kerosene leaves an oily film. It can be wiped off and further eliminated with a soapy spray.
Jim

[Bossbill]

Denatured alcohol also works well to remove gunk from wires.
It works especially well on the connectors to remove the grime in the grooves of multi-pin connectors. A Q-tip will remove gunk between pins and around the base of wires at the connector. This stuff evaporates really quick!

I've also found some Dremel wire wheel kits on Amazon that offer cone, wheel and 1/4" round brush styles. The round brush style can go into the female connectors and clean them up.