How to best remove paint from electrical wiring

[paulri]

Exterior trim of house just got repainted. A set of connecting wires (bared when I removed the light) for a dusk to dawn light didn't get covered up, so it got painted over.

Is there a safe way to remove the paint, that won't cause corrosion at all to the wires themselves? Do I just use paint thinner, or try to gently rub it off, or???

 

[Pablo]

Exterior trim of house just got repainted. A set of connecting wires for a dusk to dawn light didn't get covered up, so it got painted over.

Is there a safe way to remove the paint, that won't cause corrosion at all to the wires themselves? Do I just use paint thinner, or try to gently rub it off, or???

Isopropyl alcohol

 

[dishdude]

It should rub right off with your fingernail.

 

[Hall]

Why not leave it painted ? Otherwise, if it's water-based paint, just get a green scrubbie pad with some soap and dampened with water. You won't get shocked.

 

[Rand]

so you left the bare ends hanging out and they got painted over?
can you just trim the wires back slightly for fresh wire?
paint on the wire jacket isnt an issue.

I would have wrapped the ends with electrical tape.. but maybe I am misunderstanding your issue.

 

[dishdude]

so you left the bare ends hanging out and they got painted over?
can you just trim the wires back slightly for fresh wire?
paint on the wire jacket isnt an issue.

I would have wrapped the ends with electrical tape.. but maybe I am misunderstanding your issue.

I *think* he removed the fixture to paint instead of taping it off and the bare wire got painted. I would have put the wire nuts back on. He probably doesn't want to cut and strip the wire due to limited length in the box.

 

[paulri]

That's another option. I'll go see how much length there is....

I *think* he removed the fixture to paint instead of taping it off and the bare wire got painted. I would have put the wire nuts back on. He probably doesn't want to cut and strip the wire due to limited length in the box.

 

[Pablo]

Isopropyl Alcohol and a little rubbing will remove latex paint from insulation and copper and will harm nothing

 

[sdowney717]

Sure use that alcohol or gasoline on a rag.
You can also scrape the paint off bare copper wire.
Do not worry about removing paint from the exterior wire covering sheath.
You might want to clean paint off the black and white insulation, that way no confusion about hot and neutral.

And make sure the wire power is OFF

 

[Foreman04]

I’d use a very fine sandpaper. Wouldn’t even think twice about it.

 

[paulri]

Sure use that alcohol or gasoline on a rag.
You can also scrape the paint off bare copper wire.
Do not worry about removing paint from the exterior wire covering sheath.
You might want to clean paint off the black and white insulation, that way no confusion about hot and neutral.

And make sure the wire power is OFF

Very good point. I'll go back and do that.

Thanks everyone, IPA worked fine and the light was on last night.