When you deliver scrap wires to a dealer, they inspect the load and determine the condition before paying. Thus, it is a no-brainer that dirty and ill-prepared wires attract less money while clean cables earn you more. Therefore, scrap wire collectors must set aside enough time to clean their loads before delivering to a dealer. This article highlights vital tips for cleaning scrap wire before selling it to scrap dealers.

Use the Sun's Heat 

It is advisable to remove scrap wire insulation before selling it to a dealer, and the best way to do it is to rely on the sun's natural heat. Some scrap wire collectors use microwaves to soften the insulation. However, the approach only exposes you to toxic fumes, especially when performed indoors. Other collectors prefer to pass scrap wires over a flame before stripping off the insulation. Unfortunately, you risk reducing your load's value since the chances of burning wires are high. Notably, placing scrap wires on cement or a metallic surface under direct sunlight is an easy and environmentally friendly way of stripping the insulation off. While the technique might take time, it is worthwhile.

Remove Rust

The wires you scrap from landfills, garages, and demolition sites are likely rusty. Most people discard rusted wires since they do not fetch much at a scrap dealer's yard. However, you can clean off the rust rather than throw away cables. Notably, removing rust from scrap wire is easy, as long as you have the right supplies. For instance, you only need acetic acid/vinegar, salt, and baking soda, which acts as a neutralising agent. Dip rusted wire inside a vinegar-salt solution for a few minutes and keep stirring to loosen the oxide layer until the cables are shiny. Next, remove the cables from the vinegar-salt solution and dip them in a neutralising agent to mitigate vinegar's corrosiveness. Finally, let the wires dry, pack them, and deliver the load to a dealer.

Remove Any Extras

Do you have wires with metal and plastic connectors, such as crimps, at various sections? If so, you must remove them before selling to a scrap dealer. Notably, the connectors make recycling scrap wires challenging, and it mainly applies to cables found in most home appliances, such as kettles, microwaves, and ovens. While removing metallic or plastic connectors and any other extras is relatively easy, you need to be careful because you could injure yourself. Thus, it is advisable to cut off sections with a connector to keep the wire intact.

For more information on getting cash for scrap wires, contact a recycling service in your area.