Factory Metal Cable Ties

[AK]

Hi Guys

 

I did a search and could not find anything on this.

 

I have 1976 2+2 260Z

 

The soft metal cable ties which seem to have a rubberized coating, there is a lot of these across the body work where the main electrical wire harnesses go - what do you do with these if you are getting the car sand blasted ?

 

As I assume you might loose the rubber coating or being a soft metal they may get blasted completely off the body work. Some already have the rubber cracking off just because of wear and tear of 40years.

 

 

• Do you re-coat them with a rubber solution after blasting once undercoated? If it is re coat with rubber what do you use?
• Do you remove them all together?
• Mask them off with some gaffa-tape for protection?

 

Thanks for any advice on this.

 

Cheers AK

 

 

 

 

[gav240z]

Only commenting to subscribe to the thread, since I'd like to know also!

[1600dave]

I used heat shrink tubing. Not exactly as original as the ends aren't 100% closed like the factory ones, but looks quite OK. You would only notice if you specifically went looking. 

Edited January 11, 2016 by 1600dave

[gilltech]

I'd wrap them well & don't go anywhere near them with the sand blasting, hand strip around them, they're only original once.

(If you're having the shell 'sand blasted', do you know what medium they intend to use? Not sand as such I hope...the metal shells are thin & one can wreck the panels very easily. As in warp them, upset the tension, etc. A gentle stripping medium with gentle pressure & take the time over it).

[AK]

Thanks Gilltech - Good advice - I am getting the Tech Dustless blasting done - water and garnet combination - water helps keep the panel cool and reduce warping and very little dust, I did some more investigation and I the POR 15 paint that I plan to use in the engine bay and underbelly are said to be be flexible but I doubt that it will handle that much bending - I think as you suggested paint stripping and taping them off with gapha tape will be the best way forward.

cheers ak