Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: AndyH on May 18, 2017, 09:28:19 AM

Title: Clear plastic bullet covers-cleaning?
Post by: AndyH on May 18, 2017, 09:28:19 AM

Hi folks, has anyone come up with a method of cleaning up the inside of the clear plastic bullet connector covers on the wiring harness?
My 500K1 harness is otherwise in good condition, but the inside of said covers, mainly from inside the h/light bucket is somewhat grotty!
Is there a simple way to clean them out, apart from flooding them with WD40!!  ;D
TIA

Title: Re: Clear plastic bullet covers-cleaning?
Post by: AshimotoK0 on May 18, 2017, 01:13:20 PM

Difficult . I use 50/50 isopropanol /water + drop of washing up liquid in ultrasonic bath but theoretically you are not supposed to use flammable solvents in a US bath.

Title: Re: Clear plastic bullet covers-cleaning?
Post by: BigAl (Alan) on May 18, 2017, 03:17:32 PM

I would agree with Ash, its very difficult. The reason for the discolouration is the 'plasticiser' within the insulated sleeve has started to degrade and then forms a chemical reaction with the copper terminal.
Once the process starts (degrading/plasticiser) the insulators become harder/brittle and more discoloured. Also high ambient temperatures accelerate the process.

Not much that you can do apart from a good clean and keep the bike/wiring cool.

Title: Re: Clear plastic bullet covers-cleaning?
Post by: mike the bike on May 18, 2017, 05:30:02 PM

White spirit and kitchen roll or, better still, bung the entire loom in the dishwaher.

Title: Re: Clear plastic bullet covers-cleaning?
Post by: BigAl (Alan) on May 18, 2017, 07:45:08 PM

I have also done what Mike has suggested, fresh & clean out of the dishwasher!

I later leaned  that the chemical 'Di-isoctyl phthalate' was added to many pvc products in the 1960's/70's to help soften plastic products, the preferred way to clean any of these products is to use a cool inorganic solution. (There are inorganic car interior cleaning products on the market)

Try to avoid any form of heat and 'organic' cleaners...acetone, ethanol, benzene & many more. It will speed up the hardening/cracking process of many plastic products.

Title: Re: Clear plastic bullet covers-cleaning?
Post by: AndyH on May 19, 2017, 01:50:45 AM

Thanks for the info everyone!  8)  Not sure whether the wife would like me bunging the loom in the dishwasher tho'!  ::)

Title: Re: Clear plastic bullet covers-cleaning?
Post by: hairygit on May 19, 2017, 05:54:40 AM

Quote from: Himble on May 19, 2017, 01:50:45 AM

Thanks for the info everyone!  8)  Not sure whether the wife would like me bunging the loom in the dishwasher tho'!  ::)

WHAT? You live in Oz, the last bastion of male domination, besides, it's your dishwasher too!

Sent from my X6pro using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Clear plastic bullet covers-cleaning?
Post by: mike the bike on May 19, 2017, 07:00:32 AM

Quote from: Himble on May 19, 2017, 01:50:45 AM

Thanks for the info everyone!  8)  Not sure whether the wife would like me bunging the loom in the dishwasher tho'!  ::)

Do it when she's out shopping for more clothes.  That normally takes hours.

Title: Re: Clear plastic bullet covers-cleaning?
Post by: AndyH on May 19, 2017, 10:49:45 AM

Quote from: mike the bike on May 19, 2017, 07:00:32 AM

Quote from: Himble on May 19, 2017, 01:50:45 AM

Thanks for the info everyone!  8)  Not sure whether the wife would like me bunging the loom in the dishwasher tho'!  ::)

Do it when she's out shopping for more clothes.  That normally takes hours.

LOL!  ;D ;D

I managed to clean most of the gunk out today using cotton buds dipped in a bit of isopropyl alcohol.  Anything that was still a bit "sticky" came out with dry buds.  All looks good now....well, a whole lot better than before!!  ;D ;D