Winch Cleaning Solution

[Captn Bob]

I presently have four of my Lewmar winches sitting on the shop stand waiting for their spring cleaning.To do a really good job of cleaning the winch post, gears etc I am giving consideration to taking the parts to a Radiator Shop and let them clean them up in their soup.See any problems with the Lewmar parts in this cleaning compound ??>Also my self tailing winches do not have the new feature that allows differnt sicze line to be gripped by the upper jaws. Believe it is called Wavespring - is this feature available for the older 40 and 46 and 37 winches (circa 1986) ???

 

[Warren M.]

Winch Cleaning

I don't know what shape the innards of your winches are in, but taking them to a radiator shop sounds like expensive overkill. Why not just soak the parts in either mineral spirits or ordinary diesel fuel for a few days, clean them up with a an old paint and or toothbrush, lube them with some lithium grease and put them back in service?

 

[Ben Givens]

Agree with Warren

Captn Bob,I agree with Warren on this one. You can also clean the nasty grease off with an old rag and then get them clean with WD-40. Just remember that WD-40 is only a cleaner and not a lubricant, be sure to have the correct oil and grease for proper lubricating.As to the wavespring jaws. They do not retrofit. Sorry...Happy Cleaning..www.lewmar.com

 

[Rodney]

Kerosene

Works great and is cheap.

 

[FOAMY]

BIO DEGRADEABLE DEGREASER

I'VE BEEN USING A BIO DEGRADEABLE DEGREASER TO SOAK AND CLEAN MY WINCH PARTS FOR YEARS. NO FIRE HAZARD OR CAUSTIC BURNS OR SPILLS TO WORRY ABOUT. I JUST FLUSH THE DEGREASER OFF WITH WATER, AND BAKE THE METAL PARTS IN THE OVEN AT 250 TO INSURE THEY ARE DRY; PLASTIC PARTS I TOWEL DRY. WORKS LIKE A CHARM.