[C320-list] Winch De-Greaser

[Allan S. Field]

Karl - Kerosene and mineral oil are not the same - one is combustible, the
other is not. - Allan

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Karl
Mielenhausen _/)
Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 9:32 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Winch De-Greaser

I have seen kerosene, paint thinner, WD-40, and even diesel fuel  
recommended. Charcoal starter was a new one to me. If the solvent melts  
your vinyl or latex gloves, I would tend to avoid. True most of the parts  
are metal, but there are plastic retainers for the bearing races and  
Lewmar warns about using a solvent that might damage them.
That said, as pointed out by Allan, the official Lewmar recommendation is  
"paraffin" or "white spirit". Paraffin is the British term for what we  
know as kerosene, also referred to as mineral oil. White spirit is  
Stoddard solvent.
Interestly, WD-40 happens to be 50% stoddard solvent, with the remainder  
being the propellant and light mineral oil, so it is probably OK.

BTW, when you go to re-grease, don't waste the money on the "official"  
winch grease ($15 for 3.5oz at WM). The grease is water resistant, calcium  
sulfonate based, which is what you want. A 10.5 oz tube (Castrol  
Multi-Purpose Marine Grease) is available in Walmart for about $3.

I also will post the Lewmar manual on the website.

Cheers.....

-- 
Karl Mielenhausen
Catalina 320 Hull 690
New Bern, NC

Join us August 7-9, 2009 at Marina Del Rey, CA for our annual Catalina  
320IA Regatta and Annual Meeting.