Getting paint overspray off wires & stuff?

[Jim Baxter]

The previous owner sprayed black paint on the inner fender wells engine compartment. Unfortunally, he got overspray all over the wires, voltage regualtor, some on the engine. Its just a mess.

How can I get this overspray off the wires and other stuff?

thinner, acetone? Magic chemical?

Also, what is the correct black paint for the radiator schroud, fan, radiator support, and were can I get it?

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Getting paint overspray off wires & stuff?

I have been pretty successful using a rag dampened with lacquer thinner for this purpose. Won't hurt wiring insulation unless it's already breaking down. Be careful of other plastic parts, though. There may be some pieces that could be damaged.

[Terry F.]

Re: Getting paint overspray off wires & stuff?

If you wanted, you could rewrap the wire harness. Time consuming but is not that hard to do. You can make repairs to the harness at that time also. Other wise, I use Goof Off or laqure thinner (sparingly). Terry

[Jim Baxter]

Re: Getting paint overspray off wires & stuff?

What is it wrapped with just regular electrical tape? The problem is most of the overspray is after the wire comes out of the harness to the item, for example the horn relay, red wires.

[Gary S.]

Re: Getting paint overspray off wires & stuff?

The tape is similar in feel and appearance to standard electrical tape but it is non-sticky and much wider (3/4"??). Most vendors sell it in rolls. I doubt that you will need it though. I have been successful with carefully wiping the wire bundles with a rag soaked in lacquer thinner as previously suggested. You don't want the rag drenched but wet. To get between the wires you can use a Q-tip dipped in thinner. Works quite well but is a bit tedious. Oth, unwrapping and rewrapping the wire bundles will take forever and you must learn the wrapping techniques used by the GM workers. If you just re-wrap you will not get the correct look without some practice.
Gary

[William C.]

Re: Getting paint overspray off wires & stuff?

Another problem with rewrapping is that the tape takes a set to the original manner in which it was stretched when applied, rewrappin the original tape is difficult, but it can be done. The proper width for a C-2 is difficult to find (1 inch) as the OEM supplier switched to a 1.3 inch tape in the '69 model year and replacement GM harnesses after that all used the 1.3 tape.

[Terry F.]

Re: Getting paint overspray off wires & stuff?

It is a special tape that is non-stick. You can also remove the harness and send it to people like M&H and they will rebuild it. Unless you are very familiar with doing stuff like that, I wouldn't rewrap it.

I have had great success using extremely small amounts of paint stripper on over spray. Use it on a small area and wipe it off as soon as the paint blisters. By small area, I mean maybe an area about 2 inches in length on a wire harness. DON'T USE IT ON THE PLASTIC WIRE WRAP THOUGH, it will eat that too fast.

Terry

[Mike M.]

Re: Getting paint overspray off wires & stuff?

If you anything with GM part numbers on it (hoses ect) they will rub off very easily, found out the hard way. Mike

[Terry F.]

Re: Agree! Regards, Terry *NM*

[Rob A.]

Re: Getting paint overspray off wires & stuff?

A thick, gel type paint remover works well. It won't drip onto areas you don't want it and won't soften the tape on the wires like other chemicals. You can even apply it with a "q" tip or small paint brush in hard to reach areas.