I have been using mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, etc to clean mainsprings and other parts that are heavily crusted with old graphite grease and dirt. Since I moved my workshop from the garage to the basement I would be interested in other options which are less hazardess. Carburator cleaner or brake cleaner seem just as volatile and flammable. What do you use and how do some of these safer products work for you? Are there real alternatives?
Thanks
Andreas
Mainspring cleaning products?
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Re: Mainspring cleaning products?
While gojo is good for cleaning wood, it also conveniently helps in releasing grease from motor parts. I clean the spring and barrel with gojo and a toothbrush, the rinse it with soap and water if needed, but just wiping it off works too. I'm sure there are better options out there, but gojo works for me and I always have some around.
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Re: Mainspring cleaning products?
Andreas
I have had good success with decreasing motor parts by using a water soluble "Heavy Duty Degreaser". There are several brands, the last one I purchased was by Zep Commercial.
I use a mechanics bath for engine parts but I am sure a 5 gal plastic pail would be fine.
Remember to rinse well in water and then dry with a heat gun (hair dryer ok) to prevent rust development
Bruce
I have had good success with decreasing motor parts by using a water soluble "Heavy Duty Degreaser". There are several brands, the last one I purchased was by Zep Commercial.
I use a mechanics bath for engine parts but I am sure a 5 gal plastic pail would be fine.
Remember to rinse well in water and then dry with a heat gun (hair dryer ok) to prevent rust development
Bruce
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Re: Mainspring cleaning products?
alang wrote:I have been using mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, etc to clean mainsprings and other parts that are heavily crusted with old graphite grease and dirt. Since I moved my workshop from the garage to the basement I would be interested in other options which are less hazardess. Carburator cleaner or brake cleaner seem just as volatile and flammable. What do you use and how do some of these safer products work for you? Are there real alternatives?
Thanks
Andreas
I actually do @ 75-80% of my cleaning and de-greasing with hot water and dawn dish detergent. I have a variety of brushes, steel, brass and plastic to scrub with as well as scotch-brite pads. I dry the parts and wipe down with an oil soaked rag to prevent any surface rust until re-assembly and greasing.
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Re: Mainspring cleaning products?
Clean them outside?
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Re: Mainspring cleaning products?
That's what I've been doing over the summer, but it's quite tedious to carry the stuff all through the house in messy clothes and black greasy hands. Also not really a good solution for winter or when it rains, which tends to be when I have time to work on my machines.JerryVan wrote:Clean them outside?
Thanks
Andreas
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Re: Mainspring cleaning products?
Thanks Bruce. I have tried a couple and wasn't really satisfied and caked on graphite grease. Maybe I'll have to give the Zep Commercial a try.Bruce wrote:Andreas
I have had good success with decreasing motor parts by using a water soluble "Heavy Duty Degreaser". There are several brands, the last one I purchased was by Zep Commercial.
I use a mechanics bath for engine parts but I am sure a 5 gal plastic pail would be fine.
Remember to rinse well in water and then dry with a heat gun (hair dryer ok) to prevent rust development
Bruce
Thanks again
Andreas
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Re: Mainspring cleaning products?
I use GoJo and GooP quite a bit as well, but was hoping for something to soak it in for a longer period. I also clean the barrel with a toothbrush, but for the whole spring I don't have the patience to do thatMormon S wrote:While gojo is good for cleaning wood, it also conveniently helps in releasing grease from motor parts. I clean the spring and barrel with gojo and a toothbrush, the rinse it with soap and water if needed, but just wiping it off works too. I'm sure there are better options out there, but gojo works for me and I always have some around.
Martin
Thanks
Andreas
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Re: Mainspring cleaning products?
I would have never thought that Dawn would be strong enough to remove caked on graphite grease. I'll have to try.RSStone wrote:alang wrote:I have been using mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, etc to clean mainsprings and other parts that are heavily crusted with old graphite grease and dirt. Since I moved my workshop from the garage to the basement I would be interested in other options which are less hazardess. Carburator cleaner or brake cleaner seem just as volatile and flammable. What do you use and how do some of these safer products work for you? Are there real alternatives?
Thanks
Andreas
I actually do @ 75-80% of my cleaning and de-greasing with hot water and dawn dish detergent. I have a variety of brushes, steel, brass and plastic to scrub with as well as scotch-brite pads. I dry the parts and wipe down with an oil soaked rag to prevent any surface rust until re-assembly and greasing.
Thanks
Andreas
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Re: Mainspring cleaning products?
It takes a little scrubbing and scraping, but I figure if it's gentle enough for baby ducks covered in oil sludge it's good for this stuff tooalang wrote:I would have never thought that Dawn would be strong enough to remove caked on graphite grease. I'll have to try.RSStone wrote:alang wrote:I have been using mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, etc to clean mainsprings and other parts that are heavily crusted with old graphite grease and dirt. Since I moved my workshop from the garage to the basement I would be interested in other options which are less hazardess. Carburator cleaner or brake cleaner seem just as volatile and flammable. What do you use and how do some of these safer products work for you? Are there real alternatives?
Thanks
Andreas
I actually do @ 75-80% of my cleaning and de-greasing with hot water and dawn dish detergent. I have a variety of brushes, steel, brass and plastic to scrub with as well as scotch-brite pads. I dry the parts and wipe down with an oil soaked rag to prevent any surface rust until re-assembly and greasing.
Thanks
Andreas