John,
The cold shrink tape is a non sticky tape that looks like the factory harness tape. I bought mine at a local auto parts store. You stretch it around and it sticks itself.
Good trick at the end of a wrap: Take some fishing line and make a loop. Put the line on the tape where you have already wrapped when you only have 2-3 wraps left. Keep the loop end hanging over where you will end. The tag ends are hanging out the other side. Wrap the last few wraps over the line and cut the tape with a little extra. Stick the end of the tape thru the loop. Pull the tag ends until the line snugs the tag piece of tape. Now jerk the tag end of the fishing line. This will pull the end of the tape under the wrapped tape. Never have to worry about coming loose. Learned this wrapping eyes on fishing poles.
You can use some laquer thinner and a brush to clean the outside of the connectors.
Electrical contact cleaner and a small wire brush also to clean the insides.
I unwrapped all the old harness. One harness at a time. I then replaced any wire that was cut, spliced, or brittle with new wire of the same size and length by soldering the new wire to the old and heat shrink over the splice. Butt connectors and heat shrink would work also. Really have to take your time if you do it yourself.
I wrapped all the wires with the cold shrink tape. I had a friend help with part of it and he would hold the end I started with and I would pull the wire tight while wrapping.
I also got some started and then tied to a post to do by myself.
A wiring diagram for your car is a must. Never could have done it without one.
Hope this helps.
We painted my car here at the house, I installed all trim, and I installed the interior myself.
If you have the money, the plug and play harness will save a huge amount of time....
so will a "good" body shop and interior specialist.
PM me if I can help anymore.
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