Male/Female Connectors

[Mutt Hunter]

Gents,

One more question for you: what product or method do you use to keep the male/female connectors and boots "supple?" I'm replacing my harnesses primarily because of a ton of dry-rot issues with the connectors and wires themselves.

a) i want things to last and not have to do wiring harnesses again in this lifetime or the afterlife

b) i don't want to have a wresting match with my connectors every time i have to troubleshoot something or take them apart for some reason.

I get it that they are designed to be water-tight for all the obvious reasons, but looking for a "lube" of sorts that will protect the rubber and make it easy to pull connectors apart.

Any ideas or success stories to share?

dee

[Hambone]

I use silicone grease, it won't attack the rubber.

[1SGCAV77]

We used Vaseline in our motor pool. I currently have a small tube I picked up at Wal-Mart. A great lubricant and keeps rubber soft.

[rickf]

While Vaseline will keep it soft I think it will also degrade the rubber since it is a petroleum product. The silicone, or dielectric, grease is the best thing since it is designed for that purpose. Overall degradation of the rubber is going to be tough to stop since that is done by the ozone in the air but you have to figure that the original harnesses that were bad from the A1's are at least 50 years old at the youngest. I can pretty much guarantee I am not going to be around for another 50 years!

[Mr. Recovery]

You can get the Dielectric grease at any parts store.

[Mutt Hunter]

Thanks, gents--really appreciate the advice.

[Fil Bonica]

Not going to be around that long so good old fashioned silicone spray is just fine for me.
It softens up rubber just enough to make it pliable.
Have couple hundred new pieces and change things as necessary or make new harnesses.

Fil Bonica

[M37]

Dee,

Google a product called Sil-glyde, it is silicone lubricating compound designed to be weatherproof. I specifically lists its uses for conditioning rubber O rings, weather stripping, brake boots and seals. It has been around since the 70’s at least. Napa even has their own house brand.

Just happens to be what I use for these parts, there may be better similar products, but I am happy with the performance of it. It is about the consistency of high vacuum silicone grease.

Joe