Re: Restoring old spot light
Mark,<br /><br />First time I've looked at this thread.<br /><br />I've scanned the posts so far but I don't think this has been covered.<br /><br />I've had a fair bit of success freeing supposedly rusted solid parts. Most of them can be freed up given enough time and the right techniques.<br /><br />Try soaking you cable in diesel fuel for a few days or weeks if necessary. Or a rust dissolving fluid but they're a lot more expensive for the quantity you'll need. You might need to remove plastic or rubber parts in case they dissolve.<br /><br />Pull it out at least once a day and flex it and try to operate it. Once you get the tiniest bit of movement you're on the way home. <br /><br />It'll take a while but the movements will gradually get bigger and it'll speed up a lot more as they do.<br /><br />The trick is not to try to force it in one direction as that's likely to seize it against more gunge. If it gives a little bit one way turn or push it the other way. The gunge breaks down and lets the fluid penetrate more and the fluid helps flush the gunge out. Keep soaking it for long periods in between.<br /><br />Don't waste your time with WD40 until the thing starts to move. Despite its claims WD40 is more of a lubricant than a rust buster, at least on serious rust, but it's thin and gets into tight spaces once you've opened them up a bit.<br /><br />Spraying rust busters on is nowhere near as good as soaking as they don't penetrate.<br /><br />I'm guessing the frozen bit is inside the chrome housing. I don't know what long soaking will do to the pitted chrome but if it's going to be refinished anyway it won't matter.<br /><br />If all else fails you can always try heat, if you can get it somewhere it won't damage the chrome.
