winch servicing

[Beppe123]

I have never serviced my winches (Lewmar 48 and 64 self tail, half are electric), and am now watching videos and downloading manuals to be able to do it this winter. As degreaser, I have seen people advising a number of them: diesel, kerosene, white spirits, paraffin. Someone mentioned that there may be some risk with some of these to damage the plastic of the self-tail plastic on top of the winch.
Any advice ?
thanks
Beppe

[Jimbo2010]

I use spray "brake clean"

[SailingHarmonie]

I am not sure why you would be "degreasing" the self tailer parts on top ot the winch. They should not have any grease on them.

I use ElectroSolv contact cleaner, although many solvents work for this.

A volatile solvent is convenient for this project. You can clean the parts, in the solvent in a plastic bin, and then throw in some paper towels. The solvent evaporates, and the grease is left in the paper, easily disposed of.

If you are dealing with electric winches, you should be more concerned about the rubber parts on the shaft seals down to the drive, although again, you should not need to be degreasing them.

[Beppe123]

I agree that I should not need to touch the plastic and rubber parts. It is just that a few videos stressed this risk. Thank you.

[jt11791]

Don't soak the plastic parts in diesel, or whatever, and you'll be fine.

[Snore]

The first step is cleaning the parts. If you leave old grease or oil behind, there can be grit that will cause wear and prevent smooth movement. As I recall, there should not be any grease on the plastic.

If you do a search for "organic degreaser" you will find many options. The big advantage of an organic, is that it can go down the toilet at the marina.

[JBP]

Originally Posted by Beppe123

I have never serviced my winches (Lewmar 48 and 64 self tail, half are electric), and am now watching videos and downloading manuals to be able to do it this winter. As degreaser, I have seen people advising a number of them: diesel, kerosene, white spirits, paraffin. Someone mentioned that there may be some risk with some of these to damage the plastic of the self-tail plastic on top of the winch.
Any advice ?
thanks
Beppe

In the UK, paraffin is kerosene, in the US paraffin is "almost" kerosene but less smell aka lamp oil. Whatever you call it, it's a good degreaser. Not terribly volatile or explosive. White spirits is mineral spirits, also good.

Diesel is smelly. Gasoline is extra flammable. Brake cleaner is flammable AND poisonous.