Winch maintenance

[billmacfarlane]

I don't fancy buying a gallon of paraffin just to clean my winches before greasing. Is there anything else I can use.

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[Aeolus_IV]

Have found that White Spirit works, but is this any better than paraffin?

Regards, Jeff.

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[jerryat]

Hi !

I use VERY hot water, thick rubber gloves, a stiff brush and washing up liquid. Cleans 'em up well with no smell or disposal problems.

Good sailing!

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[LORDNELSON]

Why not just buy a smaller quantity of parafin?

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[roger]

White spirit works fine - I think its just a narrower cut fraction than paraffin. I tend to thin paint with paraffin as its cheaper.
Bothe work perfectly well in hurrican lamps too so thats a good place for the surplus (un used)!

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[LadyInBed]

Petrol : Engine oil @ about 10:1 and a toothbrush works well

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[SydneyTim]

I just use the two stroke mix from the outboard, works really well.

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[billmacfarlane]

Thank's for all your replies.

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[EdEssery]

To learn first hand how to do service my winches, I paid an independent Lewmar engineer to come and service one of my winches and teach me how to do it and then to coach me whilst I did the other winch of the pair. He used white spirit. You can also use diesel fuel.

Ed

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[pandroid]

Lewmar specify White Spirit or Paraffin NOT Petrol. (But I used it anyway...)

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[SteveGorst]

Petrol will clean the winches fine but think of the safety element. The slightest spark and you might kill yourself. Parafin, Diesel, and White Spirit maybe inflamable but nowhere near the level of petrol. You can even put a match out with diesel.

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[Aja]

I use a can of 'Gunk' in aerosol form. I can keep it aboard for these boring sunday afternoons when I fancy doing something useful which doesn't cast a shade while SWMBO's reading the papers.

Quick squirt and a rub with an old cloth. I dont use grease on my winches anyway. Prefer 3in1oil.

Donald



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