Winch servicing question

[rays]

Our winches are 10 years old and I wouldn't be surprised if they hadn't been touched since new (we've had the boat two seasons). So I thought I'd service them. I read somewhere that after dismantling, the pieces should be soaked in paraffin.. Why paraffine rather than white spirit, meths, turpentine??
I don't know the difference between all these liquids but does it matter what you use to remove the old grease and crud?

Thanks

 

[vyv_cox]

White spirit and turpentine (at least the version of it sold in DIY outlets) are the same thing, and both very similar in composition to paraffin. Any could be used to soak your winch components, as they are all solvents for the hydrocarbon greases and oils used for lubrication. Meths is totally different and will probably not be a solvent for them, so not worth using.

 

[Chrusty1]

Cellulose thinners will shift the grease PDQ! Don't soak any plastic parts in it though if you have any. It will gobble them up into squidgy-squidgy-goo-goo! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hmmm, I seem to be feeling a little playful this evening, best I don't post anymore until I am back into Grumpy Old Git Mode! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

By the way, White Spirit and turpentine are not the same thing at all, turpentine substitute is similar to white spirit, and you can use any of them to degrease with even plastic bits.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I simply use diesel. Always plenty of that on board.

 

[johnalison]

I don't think it matters much. I used paraffin a year or two ago which worked fine, and then rinsed in white spirit so that the pieces dried quickly.

 

[savageseadog]

The best thing I've used is standard 28 sec heating oil (kerosene)

 

[vyv_cox]

<<< By the way, White Spirit and turpentine are not the same thing at all, turpentine substitute is similar to white spirit, >>>>

Which is why I said what I did. I doubt if you can buy real turpentine in anywhere but a specialist supplier's emporium. Turpentine substitute is very similar to white spirit and in many DIY outlets they are sold as the same thing.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I use parafin as it is cheap and works well without attacking plastic. I have been told that diesel causes dermatitis so I tend to avoid using it.

 

[CJU]

I was once told by an ex WW2 R.E.M.E motorcyle repairer that they were told not to use petrol or thinners etc as it was too degreasing i.e it didn't leave any oily residue and allowed degreased items to start to rust more quickly. Not a problem I would think if you regrease straight away.

 

[velo]

brassy parts for lamps any type of cola , think most pawls and gears are brass.