What's the best way to clean up headlight wires?

I tried plastic conduit, but it looks even worse!

 

I used a spiral wrap plastic loom that lets you bundle the wires tightly, then ran it along the frame. It hides it in plain sight. Tough to see it in the pic.



Flatman

 

I used to build custom motorcycles and used a fake braided steel loom cover from Autozone to cover some of my wiring. It is a chromed plastic weave that looks similar to braided steel but will not chafe wire. I believe it is available in different colors also, I think black is available.

 

I like to use a product like Russells Wrap It. Its a woven nylon covering that is made to wrap up on itself. Kinda looks traditional too

http://www.jegs.com/i/Russell/799/629090/10002/-1?parentProductId=748918

 

Just run over to Home depot or Lowes and get the lines to hook up a sink. They're flexible braided steel, and will look good. About $5 ea., and you can even put a nut inside the headlight bucket to attach ea. end, or cut to fit!
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

i liked that black stuff from painless power brass

 

Used long shrink wrap tubing. Used it om ny old motorcycle. Worked great

 

Copper tubing

 

I used that black laquered woven loom from various vendors, although I know Sac Vintage Ford carries it. It comes in different diameters and has the appropriate old timey look to it. I also like the fabric style electrical tape (as opposed to the current vinyl or PVC tape) because it also looks old timey, it stretches nicely and you can even tie a knot with it.

 

Ive used the hose from a hand held shower head kit...Visually it was similar to stock Model A headlight wire conduits (which are usually too short).
Stainless steel outer with flexible plastic tubing inside that prevents chafing of the wires.
Ive also used the fabric tape like Triggerman said...I think they call it friction tape.

 

what ever you use it would look better going through the hole in your grill shell, less showing too.

 

black stick tape for hockey may do the same thing.

 

Hardware store, black plastic air conditioner drain hose.

 

Thanks for the tip on this stuff..a little pricey, but I can see where it will probably conform to the tightest wrap around the wires (due to the fact that it wraps up on itself). It looks like it'll also be tight enough to pass into the headlight hole & through the grill shell hole. Also, it can also be installed without taking off all of the wires. I think I'm gonna order me some...my plastic tubing looks like crap.

 

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-cable-sleeving/=bf9kyx

get it from mcmaster, lost cheaper and its the same shit.

 

the stock asphalt style covering, but you have to loose the butt connectors or at least the vinyl coating, stagger them and heat shrink it.
http://www.thehotrodcompany.com/shopnow/show_dept.asp?dept_id=66&filterkey=acf

support a HAMBer..............

 

damn beat me to it by 8 mins, 1 old timer

 

What is it with all of the plastic recommendations? Traditional traditional traditional. Therefore, metal or fabric.

 

Can new metal or fabric be used, or does it have to have been manufactured back in the 30's?

 

That's funny

 

I like using thermo fit (heat shrink) insulation, not very traditional but it really cleans up wire looms, and you can buy by the feet and cut it to fit your application, you can then use SS hose braiding (once they are properly insulated),

 

I will be doing mine with the asphalt coated stuff. It looks old, and weathers nicely. Been running it on the Harleys for years.

 

I will! That place has a lot of cool stuff I can use. I wish they'd answer my email, though...

 

Good one.

Although we all know there are modern fittings, etc. that look nothing like those produced back in the day.

 

That would mean bale wire, or grandmas old scarf.

What? Huh? They didnt have the technology we have access to today. Old farmers and poor high school hot rodders just used bale wire and wrapped it in a huge mess around the frame rails or anything to hold the wires out of any moving parts. You shouldve seen the mess made to keep my old truck on the road........ They welded any type of strap iron to keep the fenders from rubbing on the tires as the fenders would get smushed or the factory mounts would break, and the bottom of my old grill was cut off with a axe of some sort to clear the road ruts while hauling pigs to market. I know this bacuase my grandpa did it himself to the poor old truck.

However, having said all that...... thats not helpful at all. I really like that asphalt covered stuff, but have never used it personally. Seems to hide the wires well and looks good. Ive personally used 4 strand ATV Trailer Wire from the local Tractor and Farm store and it looks pretty decent.

 

if you can find some old school coiled phone line, I have used that before, they of course have tan,black, white and i came across some cloth stuff a long time ago. The coiled wire looks really good coming out of anything.

Cheers and beers

 

LOL, so I guess that includes ball milled billet aluminum, right? Something we have today? (OK, cheap shot.)

'Traditional' does not mean 'hacked'. Yes, some things were slim shadied in the old days, just as some folks hack today with cable ties and duct tape. But this is not a hack forum (and there are some hack forums out there).

My point is that modern plastic loom and similar products, as some have suggested, is not at all 'traditional', especially in a highly visible place like the headlight wires. There are plenty of fabric and metal alternatives mentioned that might be more age-appropriate.

BTW, I realize your comments were meant in a good way.

 

I used a pay phone chord once, looked killer. gotta lube the wires to get em thru. can only go i think 3X18 guage. MONSTER P.I.T.A. but i think it was worth it

 

Skip all of these other recommendations and learn the trick I did. Black round extension cord wire from Home Depot. Trust me. It looks old school and is cheap and works with three wires. Now my secret is out. Damn! No need for ugly conduit covering.