Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

[Mark E.]

What's the cleanest way to repair this small missing slice of insulation? It's on the red wire going to the starter near the fusible link. The rest of the harness is in good condition.

I'm inclined to extend the harness wrap to the edge of the link to cover up the damage. Is there a better idea?

IMG_20201004_143537252.jpg

[Mark F.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Mark - nice picture - really gets the point across.

Assuming you didn't lose any of the internal copper strands in whatever caused this, you cold use heat-shrinkable tubing and/or tape - and then re-wrap as you state above. You'd have to slit the tube to get it around the wire, but it would be an added layer of protection - given this puppy carries a lot of current. Some of these products also come in red if you think some of it will show even after re-wrapping.

I've used the tubing sleeves on an antique fan I rewired and they work great compared to your good old standard electrical tape.
Google "electrical shrink tape" and you'll get lots of hits...here's a few

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-1-4-in-Black-Polyolefin-Heat-Shrink-Tubing-5-Pack-HST-250B/202797316

https://www.cableorganizer.com/adhesive-heat-shrink-tape/

https://www.wirecare.com/category/heatshrink/heatshrink-tubing-general-purpose

[Mark S.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

There is also now a liquid product that you can apply to wires to insulate them.

[Edward J.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Mark, you can also buy liquid tape, it comes with a small brush. Two coats will do it.turns into a rubber coating. Good for weather proofing.

[Edward B.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Liquid Electrical Tape. Brush on one or two coats and stop worrying about it. Commonly available in black or red.

[Frank D.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

That's a fairly thick, high-current wire....if you do use some plastic goo to cover up the damage I'd still wrap it in electrical tape.

[Mark E.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Today I learned about liquid electrical tape... I feel like I've lived a sheltered life before this. And it comes in red too!

Thanks guys!

[Terry M.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

I have never used the tape, but shrinkable tube comes with and without heat activated glue inside. I prefer the style with the glue. It seals the tube from water entering. That's a good thing.

[Tom E.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Curious how one would get heat shrink over that harness?
My recommendation would be to use the Scotch Electrical Sealant Tape. You can cut the adhesive pad into whatever size strip you need and seal it permanently.

Sealant is a 45 mil thick, premium grade, electrical moisture sealant pad that is used to seal sealant ensures conformability with an aggressive mastic adhesive.

[Terry M.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Curious how one would get heat shrink over that harness?
My recommendation would be to use the Scotch Electrical Sealant Tape. You can cut the adhesive pad into whatever size strip you need and seal it permanently.

Sealant is a 45 mil thick, premium grade, electrical moisture sealant pad that is used to seal sealant ensures conformability with an aggressive mastic adhesive.

Tom
I expect the temperature around that solenoid with the engine at operating temperature would easily exceed 100* F by quite a bit.

[Tom E.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Terry,
I saw that and wondered if it was a mis type. I copied the info directly from the 3M site. Most any surface temperature outside of a refrigerator would exceed 100 degrees. I wonder if they meant Celsius. I have used the tape before and have never seem it fail in temperatures well above 100 deg F.
Tom

[Hebert K.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Cut heat shrink lengthwise, knock gloss off of heat shrink inner and outer ends with sandpaper. Put contact cement on inner and outer ends of shrink and wrap around wire.
Just don't shrink too tight or it will start to pull apart

[Alan D.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Liquid Tape by Gardner Bender, available at Homedepot, is spec at -30 to 200 degrees F. Bet if you search for some, it can be found at a higher temp.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Something that works well is a product called Raychem `Fusion Tape` get it at your local electrical distributor or online. Available in different colors.

Being in the electrical trade it works well.

[Frank D.]

Re: Best way to repair damaged insulation on electrical wire?

Something that works well is a product called Raychem `Fusion Tape` get it at your local electrical distributor or online. Available in different colors.

Being in the electrical trade it works well.

McMaster's sells it: https://www.mcmaster.com/vulcanizing-tape/
Seems very similar to the "Vulcanized" tape we used to repair wire damage back in my F-14 and A-6 avionics tech days...