Winch Gear Cleaning?

[CJ13]

In the past I've used White Spirit to clean old grease from my winch gears, but not found it very effective. Is there any reason not to use Petrol?
If not Petrol then what does the panel recommend?

Thanks,
John

 

[sailorman]

In the past I've used White Spirit to clean old grease from my winch gears, but not found it very effective. Is there any reason not to use Petrol?
If not Petrol then what does the panel recommend?

Thanks,
John

A bucket with paraffin or diesel with a 25m/m paint brush
Petrol is not safe to use imho

 

[billmacfarlane]

All I do is fill an ashtray with petrol, place it on my cockpit table and either dip the winch part in it or scrub with a toothbrush. It's served me well for 30 odd years.

 

[Georgio]

Paraffin works for me, small amount in the bottom of a plastic container and an old tooth brush to give it a scrub.

Make sure all the paraffin (diesel, petrol, other solvent) is wiped/dried away before greasing and reassembly.

 

[sailorman]

Paraffin works for me, small amount in the bottom of a plastic container and an old tooth brush to give it a scrub.

Make sure all the paraffin (diesel, petrol, other solvent) is wiped/dried away before greasing and reassembly.

Some just was in diesel & re assemble then service more frequently as it takes less time. the diesel is oily enough to lube.

 

[nigelmercier]

Diesel, paraffin, or white spirit. Rinse with alcohol, such as IPA.

Remember to oil, not grease, the pawls.

 

[laika]

Paraffin works for me, small amount in the bottom of a plastic container and an old tooth brush to give it a scrub.

+1.

Getting it dry the same day away from high summer isn't as easy as it sounds though

 

[flobbets]

Rinse with alcohol, such as IPA.

This do?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I've used diesel, white spirit and meths. None of them work on dried up old grease! My brother has an automotive degreasing setup (http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cw2d-bench-mounted-parts-washer?da=1&TC=SRC-washer) which did better - you use caustic in the tank and a pump delivers it to a direectable nozzle.

PS, diesel is bad for your skin - use gloves if using diesel, which will work fine on grease that is still greasy!

 

[Georgio]

I've used diesel, white spirit and meths. None of them work on dried up old grease!

I'm sure that no-one would leave their winches so long between servicing that the grease has gone hard.
.
.
.
.
.
oh, ok then

 

[Talulah]

Bit of thread drift but whilst in Cowes on Saturday I popped in to Joliffes Chandlery.
I was quite taken aback by the number of winch spares in there. So if whilst servicing your winches you loose a part all may not be lost if you can get to the IOW.

 

[jwilson]

I use the petrol from the 50:1 two-stroke mix can, a toothbrush, and a roll of kitchen paper.

 

[Vara]

I hesitate to say this but when confronted with grease turned to varnish like substance on my new to me boat, which was resistant to parafin I found that a hot wash in the dishwasher did the trick.

Now that a regular servicing regime is in place parafin does the job.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I hesitate to say this but when confronted with grease turned to varnish like substance on my new to me boat, which was resistant to parafin I found that a hot wash in the dishwasher did the trick.

Now that a regular servicing regime is in place parafin does the job.

Probably does mivh the same as the degreasing machine, but with the added excitement of wondering whether you'll be caught!

 

[nigelmercier]

I use the petrol from the 50:1 two-stroke mix can, a toothbrush, and a roll of kitchen paper.

Where did you get a toothbrush that didn't dissolve in petrol?

 

[jwilson]

Where did you get a toothbrush that didn't dissolve in petrol?

Asda's cheapest in multi-packs .... It may eventually degrade them, but enough life to clean a few winch gears then throw away.