Topic: Adding Wire Stripes

[Bossbill]

I was working on my modified car and found I had too many white wires in the harness. I have a shrink tube marking machine (think of white shrink tube but with typed on writing) but the wire is still white.
I wanted a colored stripe on it. I looked at how others had applied stripes to heater hoses and it germinated this idea.

I found a piece of tubing that had a slightly larger ID than the wire. In this case brake tubing.
I drilled a small hole in the side so that a marker tip would fit into the hole. Vary the hole size for stripe width. Debur the ends and the hole. I used a small awl.
I ran the wire such that it came out of the tube closest to the side hole.
Press the marker down and pull the wire. It might work best if someone pulls while you handle the wire and the pen.

This process applies to those of you who have a light colored replacement wire, but want to make it look more production. Replace the permanent marker with a paint pen? Experiment!

[ruppstang]

Cool idea Bill.

[J_Speegle]

Going to need a fairly steady hand but great idea


Thanks for sharing and providing a picture of the idea also

[Bossbill]

Going to need a fairly steady hand but great idea


Thanks for sharing and providing a picture of the idea also

That's the best part. You put in the sharpie and just pull the wire through. It's only difficult if you are trying to pull a wire through that's longer than your arm pull. Then you need another person to do a steady pull.

[J_Speegle]

That's the best part. You put in the sharpie and just pull the wire through.

It's only difficult if you are trying to pull a wire through that's longer than your arm pull. Then you need another person to do a steady pull.

Was thinking more of keeping a steady amount of pressure  or angle of the tip of the applicator

Wonder if making or using a reel as the tension side with a hand crank would address that challenge.

[jwc66k]

Or you could order the wire from Rhode Island Wire - http://www.riwire.com/
They got a lot of wiring stuff to keep you busy.
Jim

[Bossbill]

I've ordered from them before. Good place. They also did a custom braid on my rear tail light harness.

But, part of this harness was in the car and I only had to do a 8 more feet on the other section.

Options. It's all about options.