Winch servicing - white spirit OK as cleaning solvent?

[lpdsn]

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!

Useful tip I was given to deal with old caked on grease was to only partially disassemble the winch, soak the grease in 3-in-1 then go out and do a few races (I guess as a non-racer you'll have to do some hectic crusing to simulate the winch usage cycle). The grease is then softer when you disassemble the winch a second time.


And finally, for the OP: believe it or not, diesel is about the cheapest solvent available for cleaning winches.

 

[Iliade]

Whatever one you finally choose to use, wear rubber gloves. White spirit is easily absorbed transcutaneously and is narcotic at best.

 

[dratsea]

I have used both, white spirit seems to work as well but less smelly. FWIW cleaned up some brake shoes contaminated with brake fluid, boiling hot dishwasher powder worked a treat so would also support advice about aggressive dishwater cycle if the grease does not come off in simple solvents.

 

[MASH]

Interesting discussion, especially as diesel, white spirit and paraffin are all kerosenes - i.e. virtually the same thing...

Can't imagine it makes a jot of difference which you use beyond the smell/oiliness choices.

 

[oldbilbo]

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

There, lucky fellow, I've fixed that for you!

Sometimes, just sometimes, spelling errors on this forum can amuse....

 

[niccapotamus]

the Chandlery down the road (well across the other side of town) just use WD40 as a cleaner

 

[ghostlymoron]

WD40 would work out expensive for heavily soiled winches where complete immersion is required. I use parafin in a bowl so I can swill it about then toothbrush.