Clean Winches

[BroadReach]

To All,
I have, on my work bench, six (6) Lewmar self tailing winches sizes 46, 35 and a 30.
They have had a hard life and are quite dirty.
Would like to put a shine on their gears.
What is a good cleaning solution to brighten up the bronze foundation and the gears ??

RD

 

[Ed Schenck]

My Lewmar 42s were caked with old grease. I soaked in mineral spirits and then used a stiff brush to clean them. I was not concerned about a shine because I smothered them in new grease when I put them back together. I am not sure what brand of grease just remember that it was "winch grease".

 

[Warren Milberg]

Like Ed, I've had good luck using mineral spirits to clean up the innards of my winches. I have also used old diesel fuel and a stiff short bristle brush, and that worked well to loosen old grease crud.