Electrical Socket Brush?

[Black & Tan]

I could have sworn there was a posting here about cleaning the headlight sockets with a specially designed brush. I also thought this magical tool was available at Radio Shack. But when I went to Radio Shack, the clerk had no idea what I was talking about, but said such a tool was "a good idea."

Am I dreaming? Is it old age? Does anyone have a better clue than I?

 

[XJade]

This thing?
http://www.ipdusa.com/productscat.aspx?CategoryID=332&NodeID=4588&RootID=629

Maybe check a parts store for that.

Wouldn't a battery brush do the same thing? Or too stiff?

 

[Black & Tan]

I'm trying to clean the inside of the headlight socket, the little three-prong casing. When I pulled the old headlights, they had some mild corrosion and the light output with the new headlamps is not dramatically brighter (I switched from old Wagner halogens to the new Silverstars), especially on the highway. I was planning on checking the aim of the headlights and cleaning the terminals and see if this helps. Thanks!

 

[Lunatic728]

I use my wifes finger nail file. I had to make it a little thinner for it to fit all the way into the connector. Works like a champ on cleaning the crud off the brass. I also used some electrical contact cleaner to wash out the connector after the cleaning.

Hey just don't tell my wife :laugh3:

 

[Timber]

They're called burnishing tools, but Lunatic728's method is essentially the same.

 

[RichP]

They are made by GC, good electronics shops will have them, not radio 'americas technolgy store' shack...