Winch servicing - white spirit OK as cleaning solvent?

[LittleSister]

Is white spirit OK for cleaning old grease & dirt off during winch service?

Lewmar instructions say paraffin, but we would rather use what we have in surplus already if suitable, rather than adding to our stock of flammable clutter. We also have meths and petrol if they were preferable to white spirit.

 

[prv]

I can't imagine it would damage anything - it's fairly mild as solvents go. So if it dissolves the grease ok then I would go for it.

Pete

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I use diesel, of which I have an abundance on board. It is not as readily flammable as white spirit and does not create as much fumes. Petrol I would avoid totally due to the fire hazard.

 

[prv]

I use diesel, of which I have an abundance on board.

True, I've used diesel too. It's very nearly the same as paraffin anyway.

Smelly though, especially if you're flicking it everywhere with an old toothbrush.

Pete

 

[pvb]

I use white spirit; seems to be a more pleasant solvent than others.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Basically, I've used all of the above, and perhaps a few more (including meths). I've found that when dealing with old, coagulated grease slathered on before I owned them, none of these solvents is terribly effective! They're OK with grease that is still soft, but old grease dries to a hard, varnish-like consistency and I've found that no solvent really touches it. My brother had a go at them with a car degreasing setup, which circulates hot caustic soda solution and that has been more effective.

Moral of the story - REALLY only use the smallest smear of the appropriate lubricants!

 

[LittleSister]

Thanks all.:encouragement: Somehow hadn't thought of diesel, which we have aboard.

I'll probably have a go with white spirit for convenience. The winches are only a little stiff, so hopefully won't be too gummed up.

 

[sailorman]

Thanks all.:encouragement: Somehow hadn't thought of diesel, which we have aboard.

I'll probably have a go with white spirit for convenience. The winches are only a little stiff, so hopefully won't be too gummed up.

go sparingly with the grease

 

[guernseyman]

White spirit is often used for cleaning greasy machinery. It can leave an oily deposit, which will usually not matter for such use.
I use methylated spirit or acetone if the oily deposit is to be avoided.

 

[Giblets]

Lewmar suggest white spirit in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_MjOJYYZ4A

And white spirit or diesel in this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52n_bcuF9Wo

 

[Vara]

Basically, I've used all of the above, and perhaps a few more (including meths). I've found that when dealing with old, coagulated grease slathered on before I owned them, none of these solvents is terribly effective! They're OK with grease that is still soft, but old grease dries to a hard, varnish-like consistency and I've found that no solvent really touches it. My brother had a go at them with a car degreasing setup, which circulates hot caustic soda solution and that has been more effective.

Moral of the story - REALLY only use the smallest smear of the appropriate lubricants!

i am told...cos I wouldn't dare do this at home! That a session in a domestic dishwasher at most aggressive programme, makes short work of that hardened grease.

Not recommended for bearings with plastic holders though.

 

[nigelmercier]

... a car degreasing setup, which circulates hot caustic soda solution and that has been more effective...

... a session in a domestic dishwasher at most aggressive programme, makes short work of that hardened grease...

Same chemical, same process.

 

[Vara]

Same chemical, same process.

Absolutely, but I thought I would mention it as more people have access to a dishwasher than an industrial degreaser.

 

[PeteCooper]

Just a wee note here - something that I found out by accident ... some plastics are dissolved by some versions of turps substitute. I left a brush in some of turps substitute in a plastic jug, and when I went back the liquid had disappeared, then I noticed that the liquid was in the bucket that the jug was stood in and the jug had a hole in it. Fortunately this was in my garage.
So if there are any plastic bits in the winch I would be careful, and also be careful what container you use to wash the bits in.

 

[xyachtdave]

Thank goodness for the thumbs up from the forum for white spirit use.....

Havethis weekend completed 4 winch strip downs using the most suitable cleaning product available from my garage - white spirit!

The sexual purring of our recently serviced winches makes me very happy.

 

[pvb]

The sexual purring of our recently serviced winches makes me very happy.

Pervert!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Thanks all.:encouragement: Somehow hadn't thought of diesel, which we have aboard.

I'll probably have a go with white spirit for convenience. The winches are only a little stiff, so hopefully won't be too gummed up.

Unfortunately, that's what I thought, too!

 

[LittleSister]

Unfortunately, that's what I thought, too!

You are a tease!

 

[savageseadog]

I find white spirit to be poor as an oil or grease solvent. The best thing apart from industrial degreasers is Kerosene, ie central heating oil. Diesel is probably OK too but kerosene tends to be cleaner all round.

 

[nigelmercier]

... The best thing apart from industrial degreasers is Kerosene, ie central heating oil. Diesel is probably OK too but kerosene tends to be cleaner all round.

Isn't diesel fuel a form of kerosene, but a different viscosity from central heating oil?