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Restoration Tips


Don Caithness

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We don't all have professional shops with every tool known to man so I thought it would be interesting to learn some of the home grown techniques that are used by the members. I'll start of with one I came across to clean small or irregular shaped objects. I don't have a parts washer but do use a pressure washer for large items. I had to replace an engine feed wiring harness last year. The replacement was used and covered in grease. I didn't have the time or patience to sit there with rags soaked in lacquer thinners and wipe down every wire. The answer came in the form of the dishwasher! Loaded in the harness, placed all the clips, nuts and bolts in the silverware basket and let it run through a full wash cycle. When I opened the door everything looked new again. Didn't even mess up the dishwasher, although if you can find a used portable dishwasher you might keep the wife happier! Why not post your home brew restoration tips.<P>------------------<BR>Don Caithness<BR>Technical Advisor<BR>1967&1974 "A" Body<P> <A HREF="http://appraisals.webjump.com" TARGET=_blank>http://appraisals.webjump.com</A> <BR> collectorcarappraisalservices@attcanada.net

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Yep cant beat hot water.I clean with diesel and brush first.Then rinse with hot water at my outside water hose.I've got both hot and cold at outside spicket tied together with a Y hose. I can have hot,cold or warm(good for washing cars on those cool spring or fall days.<P>Don are you concerned about the moisture traped in the harness under the vinyl tape?

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Most of the harness had the conveluted tubing around it. Opened it up after cleaning and used compressed air to blow dry. Left the harness in the hot summer sun for better part of the day. Never noticed any moisture trapped.<P>------------------<BR>Don Caithness<BR>Technical Advisor<BR>1967&1974 "A" Body<P> <A HREF="http://appraisals.webjump.com" TARGET=_blank>http://appraisals.webjump.com</A> <BR> collectorcarappraisalservices@attcanada.net

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Good idea on the hot water but here is another tip for washing your car on those cold days. Go to a Dive Shop and purchase a pair of scuba gloves. I have washed my vehicles in 40 degree weather and my hands were fine. They still get wet but not cold and if you leave them on while you dry your car off, your hands are almost sweating. Try it, it works!

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Yea Don I figures after reading back that it must have been that kind of harness.<P>That warm waters good for lots.Dog baths, got them too.I'm using it all the time for something.I even final clean mechanical parts before rebuilding.It leaves them spotless where kero or diesel has a dust clinging problem and gas besides having a headack leaves steel too dry.I remember when I got out of school the guy I worked for had us use gas(O the brain damage)then one day a real mechanic said never use gas use kero.<P>Now another tip.<P>Broken plastic dash parts.These always seem to be cracked or broke by the screw holes.Super glue and fiberglass cloth seems to be awfully strong.Two layers of cloth then dab glue on with end of tube to full saturation.Press to fit with wax paper(dont touch with fingers or thats where patch will wind up).This will set-up faster than poly resin and the poly resin doesn't want to stick but the super glue "welds".This does'nt even have to be neat as the extre can be clipped of with wire cutters and filed to fit.This may not be for restore but more for doing best with what you have.<P>This repair is for back side of course.Alway check for clearence first and don't over do because once its done its done.<P>Steve

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