Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

[Loren L.]

What's the best combination of tools/chemicals/etc for rust removal from the fuse holders of a 52 year old Chevy fuse block? Somebody out there has to have had success. Thanks.

[Edward J.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

Loren, if you have a Dremel tool with some of the smaller polishing bits or a wire wheel attachment.

[Frank D.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

The problem is that if corrosion has weakened those fuse retention "fingers" it'll cause you trouble later on....been there, done that...

[Leif A.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

Loren,
Probably not what you want to hear, but as Frank mentioned...rusted/corroded "fingers" are the tip of a nightmarish iceberg. That harness was designed to last about 10 years...not 52. That original harness owes you nothing. Your best and most permanent/reliable/safe solution is to replace the offending harness(s).

[Richard M.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

I recently had success to clean and repair a few fuse clips on a midyear.....Here.

Scroll down past the gas pedal photos for the process I used. The spring tension was fine on these after repair.

Rich

[Loren L.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

Based on Richard's pictures and other's descriptions, I should probably be disqualified from using the term "rust" with regard to my '64 CA/AZ El Camino (327,700R4,C60, PS, PB) as a description. I think I'll take up residence on the driver's floor with the Dremel and a variety of attachments and have at it to clean the surfaces. Thanks.

[Richard M.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

Loren, One other thing you can try as a experiment.....I'm told you can try using a baking soda and water solution to get some of the light corrosion off. Maybe mix up a batch in a cup and brush some on a test piece.

Rich

[Gary C.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

Loren,

Might want to try white vinegar. Brush vinegar directly onto the contacts. Or baking soda mixture; 1 part water, 2 parts baking soda into a paste. Brush the paste mixture on with cotton swabs. Wipe the paste away. Might have to use a can on compressed air to blow away the corrosion.

Years ago carbon tectrachloride was a good contact cleaner.

Gary
....

[Jim S.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

Loren ,

]I have had good results getting rust out of hard to reach places by using 3M" Bondo" brand Rust Remover ,Jelly formula .
It's a very rare item I picked up at O'Reilly Auto parts . Still have half a bottle if your in the area.


Jim

[Edward B.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

Before one goes crazy scraping away all corrosion and weakening what might already be a fragile fitting it is important to keep in mind that it is only the side of the contact that touches the fuse that needs to be clean. This might well be one of those times where a neat appearance is trumped by preserving function.

[Gary C.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

The 3M rust remover is their brand of Naval Jelly. As Edward said, only the contact really need to be corrosion free.

[William C.]

Re: Fuse Block - Rust Removal While installed

BTW, the surface of the early fuseclips was Silver plated. Tread Lightly, very thin plating...