Cleaning Grease and Oil from Older Winders

[Beef Coon]

Hi,

I've got a couple old Cowecos, like the one in the pic below. Both are completely functional, but one is particularly grungy.

Could someone recommend a product for cleaning them that isn't going to be too aggressive or destructive. Thanks.

[jack briggs]

naphtha

[jack briggs]

nice score, BTW!

[Beef Coon]

Thanks! I've been meaning to post some photos of mine. Hope to do so soon. I've got a Model C with a tailstock and a CS without

[Joe Gwinn]

naphtha

That, and acetone (to remove the congealed oil) as needed.

These are available in paint stores and many hardware stores.

[J M Fahey]

That, and acetone (to remove the congealed oil) as needed.

These are available in paint stores and many hardware stores.

Sorry but acetone is way too aggressive and will lift the paint and destroy any plastic parts.

Naphta is milder but very flammable, be very careful and do not let vapors collect inside any closed or poorly ventilated space.

kerosene is slower, milder, not spark flammable and will not destroy plastic or paints.

It will weaken rubber belts but you donīt need to get them wet, remove them first and besides you will probably replace them anyway.
I would

[Bruce Johnson]

I recommend Zep Purple Industrial Degreaser. It's one of new-fangled water-based parts cleaners that are becoming more popular. Non-flammable, minimal fumes, and definitely won't hurt the plastic, rubber or paint. And it works surprisingly well at cutting grease and oil. My hobby is restoring antique machinery (metalworking lathes, mills, drill presses, etc.) and I now use the Zep Purple for all my parts cleaning. I'm building up a washing tank just for it. It's available at Home Depot, Lowe's, and other fine box stores.

Note: It is water-based, so you do need to get the parts dried off and appropriately protected against rust.

[big_teee]

I keep a bottle of this purple degreaser on hand, is a very versatile cleaner.
It may be a generic of what Bruce uses.
ProForce - Member's Mark Commercial Heavy Duty Degreaser - 1 gallon - Sam's Club
It is a heavy duty water based cleaner, and is fairly cheap.
I use it to clean tires, concrete floors, you name it.
Great stuff.
T

[Joe Gwinn]

Sorry but acetone is way too aggressive and will lift the paint and destroy any plastic parts.

Naphta is milder but very flammable, be very careful and do not let vapors collect inside any closed or poorly ventilated space.

kerosene is slower, milder, not spark flammable and will not destroy plastic or paints.

It will weaken rubber belts but you donīt need to get them wet, remove them first and besides you will probably replace them anyway.
I would

Yes, care is required. But I've reconditioned my share of old machine tools, and naptha will not cut oil that has turned into varnish. For this, one must use something that can strip paint.

[JGundry]

Simple Green or the purple stuff and a micro fiber cloth. The micro fiber cloth helps quite a bit.

[Beef Coon]

Thanks everyone! I've got some Simple Green on hand so I'll give that a go first.