Best way to clean a Wire Winch Cable

Post by **DavidM** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:36 pm

Had to use my new winch for the first time in anger recovering a couple of vehicles stuck in a tidal/salt grass area. The cable was still reasonable clean after the recovery and I ran the hose over the spool for a while to clean any salt etc off the cable.

What else should I do to try to prevent rust etc affecting the cable?
Should I remove the cable and clean it further? ie emerse in fresh water?
Spray with WD40 or lanotect?

Any thoughts?
Thanks
David

Post by **dumbdunce** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:45 pm

depends how clean you want it. if it's been in salt water it's a good idea to spool it out and wash it all, the galvanising on wire rope is very very thin. a spray grease is good for keeping the air off it - lanotec etc will do.

Post by **DavidM** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:56 pm

Thanks Dumbdunce. So would it be ok to leave it sit in fresh water for a day or so, let it dry and use lithium grease (have a few tins of that)

Post by **dumbdunce** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:00 pm

lithium grease isn't really ideal for a winch cable, it's not real sticky and will wash out with rain/water crossings etc. lanotec is a better option. just spool it out, hose it, and pack it up, spray the grease on as it winds up.

Post by **DavidM** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:03 pm

Thanks Mate. Will do.

Post by **DavidM** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:03 pm

Thanks Mate. Will do.

Post by **jcclures** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:08 am

When we used to get our underground winches inspected by the mines inspector they were always unto keeping the rope wick oiled, that is the hemp rope up the center of the wire rope. The purpose of the wick is to lubricate the wire strands, this allows movement of the wire strands and stopping the individual wire strands wearing.

You can buy a spray can of rope lubricant in a spray can for this purpose.

I personally am using CRC wire rope and cable lubricant, it seems to do the job, and it is packed away with the rest of my winching gear. After using the winch I simply spray some on as I respool the rope.

Post by **DavidM** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:31 am

Don't want to sound like a dill, but would emersing the wire rope into water wash the oil out of the wick? Only asking cause I did soak the cable over night and the water turned very cloudy/white. Hope I haven't stuffed my cable.

Jcclures - love your old rig by the way. Very clean.

Post by **jcclures** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:57 am

DavidM thanks for the comment on the old Nissan, but back to the rope I would just reoil the rope with a recommended cable lubricant. All I have ever done in the past is after using in mud is spool the rope out hose of the mud and respool running the rope back through an oiled rag. This has been all I have ever done, and you will not find any sprags of wire on my wire rope from wear and tear.
I guess you could use chain cutterbar oil for this as well as it has a similar feel about the oil and it is designed to stick to the chain, as this is what you want the oil to also to do on the rope.

John

Post by **bazzle** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:05 am

Modern winch rope does not have a fibre centre wick. but a high tensile wire core.

Just pour engine oil over the spool and wipe off and /or do the same when winding in.

Bazzle

Post by **jcclures** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:23 am

I guess that shows how old fashioned I am, as my rope still has a hemp wick.

Post by **joeblow** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:50 am

bazzle wrote:Modern winch rope does not have a fibre centre wick. but a high tensile wire core.

Just pour engine oil over the spool and wipe off and /or do the same when winding in.

Bazzle

X2.....

Post by **brendan_h** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:54 pm

maybe just get some engine oil in a spray bottle and spray on as your spooling it in?

Post by **wyliespatrol** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:08 pm

ues and abuse then replace

** note only use this method if you dont mind digging when your winch wont work and you need it

Post by **mavzilla** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:00 pm

i find silicone spray works real well, just roll it up and spray half a can on top

Post by **flexytj** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:14 pm

DavidM wrote:

What else should I do to try to prevent rust etc affecting the cable?
Should I remove the cable and clean it further? ie emerse in fresh water?
Spray with WD40 or lanotect?

Any thoughts?
Thanks
David

replace it with plasma rope

Post by **SIM79** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:47 am

flexytj wrote:
DavidM wrote:

What else should I do to try to prevent rust etc affecting the cable?
Should I remove the cable and clean it further? ie emerse in fresh water?
Spray with WD40 or lanotect?

Any thoughts?
Thanks
David
replace it with plasma rope

Why? Plasma is expensive and weak, steel wire is cheap and strong. I have seen more then 5 plasma ropes snap and have never seen 1 steel cable snap.

Post by **berad** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:51 am

I wouldnt like to see it snap either haha

Post by **nicbeer** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:39 am

SIM79 wrote:
flexytj wrote:
DavidM wrote:

What else should I do to try to prevent rust etc affecting the cable?
Should I remove the cable and clean it further? ie emerse in fresh water?
Spray with WD40 or lanotect?

Any thoughts?
Thanks
David
replace it with plasma rope
Why? Plasma is expensive and weak, steel wire is cheap and strong. I have seen more then 5 plasma ropes snap and have never seen 1 steel cable snap.

seen at least 3 steel ones snap.

one had a kink in cable to will let that one off.

Post by **V8Patrol** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 6:01 am

Run the cable out and attatch the hook end to a tree/another car/ whatever....

Walk along the winch rope with a rag soaked in diesel.

spool rope back onto drum under load ( IE winch yourself to the object you hooked onto

DONE

Once a year ( just before the wet season is best ) go to a crane joint....

They have a special oil called "rubbing oil" that is used on the crane booms and ropes. Then just repeat the above process but use the rubbing oil instead of the diesel.

Ya wire rope will last for years using this process

Post by **barbz** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 6:51 am

We have always used this on the steel wire on the davit of the boat.

CRC Rope and Cable Lubricant

http://www.crcind.com.au/catalogue.nsf/ ... enDocument

Just spray it on as you wind it in.

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Best way to clean a Wire Winch Cable

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