I have an old 10 speed road bike that has black cable housing and i want the cables to be nice and shiny. Is there a household product that i can use?

ArmorAll? I'd look at the automotive arena for plastic restorer products and test on a hidded section first. Andy.

Replacing them with new probably isn't a bad idea either.

Hi,

Replacing them all for shiny and new is a good idea, I understand Walmart
do cheap cable replacement kits. FWIW metal polish should clean them up
well, and leave a nice patina, unlike horrible automotive plastic restorer.

rgds, sreten.

Shining up the outside will do nothing towards ensuring smooth operation of the brakes and shift mechanisms; replacing the cables will help make them look AND perform well.

Cable housing has improved over the last 40 years. Replace.

Keep them and shine them up if you really want to keep them, but only if they are lined - not metal to metal, they have proper cable housing ends, none of them are too short, and the cables run through them smoothly.

+1, if the ozone and UV have them to where they've dulled considerably they're nearing the end of their life. This isn't an issue with brake cables who's plastic covers are only cosmetic, but is a problem for derailleur housing where the outer plastic cover is structural, buttressing the long spiral steel so it cannot bow out and collapse.

BTW- many of the products which give you a nice short term shine actually speed the aging process.

a new set of cables runs for <$20 so i'd just replace them. i recently replaced all the cables on my 10 yrs old bike and now the brakes and shifting feels like new.

Yes. It's $6 out of your sofa cushions, a bit of grease & a side-cutter borrowed from your uncle.

https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Bike-Fix-...es+and+housing

Might as well do the shifters while you are about it.

-Bandera

Of course the OP has an old 10 speed, which does not have specific brake and gear housing. Regardless, I agree with everyone who says to just replace it.

The OP requested restoration advice. He now knows that most suggest replacement. Any other restore suggestions instead of piling on the replacement advice he didn't ask for? Andy.

Fair enough.

Depending on the type of vinyl, and if it has a smooth surface, he might use automobile rubbing (polishing) compound to buff out the dull surface oxide layer, and bring up fresh vinyl. A bit of compound on a rag or paper towel rubbing the cable lengthwise should brighten them up fairly quickly. Applying the brake, or pressing the gear lever to tighten the cable will stiffen the cable and make the job go fairly quickly.

They also sell products to brighten or de-oxidize the vinyl trim on car "opera" roofs. I've had good success with these on other vinyl applications.

BTW- there's not much you can do with the older PVC covered brake cable who's surface is textured. This stuff oxidizes (white turns yellow or brown) and the discoloration is through and through. This is why I hate and won't use white or gray cable housing.