removing grease from wheel

Discussion in 'Boat Yard Basics' started by brew1891, Feb 24, 2010.

  1. Feb 24, 2010 #1
    brew1891

    brew1891 Well-Known Member

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    Finally had a hub seal let go on me. In the process it coated the wheel with grease. This on my Ramlin trailer. grease combined with road grime to create a nice mess. Tried a quick spray with Castrol Super Clean. I think the greasy mess actually laughed at me.

    Any thoughts on something to break this mess down and clean the wheel? I thought about engine degreaser but wanted to get thoughts before I start randomly buying cleaners to throw at it.

    Also, the good guys at David's Trailers replaced the seal while I waited...actually they were done before I could even get a new set of lug nuts and tube of grease off the shelf! Def. reccomend them to my fellow Orlandians.
     
    brew1891, Feb 24, 2010
    brew1891, Feb 24, 2010
  3. Feb 24, 2010 #2
    Brett

    Brett > PRO STAFF <

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    Pardon the phrase...but a little "elbow grease" will do the job.
    Grab an old bath towel, rip it into 6 or 8 pieces.
    Using each chunk, both sides, wipe the grease from the rim.
    Dispose of in the trash. Physical wiping will do a better job
    than solvent usage in this case. Plus no oily run off into the lawn.
    Best method I've found over the years.
     
    Brett, Feb 24, 2010
    Brett, Feb 24, 2010

  5. Feb 24, 2010 #3
    brew1891

    brew1891 Well-Known Member

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    Already physically wiped away as much as i could. There is still a thin layer of crud that wont budge. I think I am to the point where some solvent is needed for that final touch.
     
    brew1891, Feb 24, 2010
    brew1891, Feb 24, 2010
  6. Feb 24, 2010 #4
    beyondhelp

    beyondhelp Well-Known Member

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    Got a wheel like that myself. (havent bothered to clean it as I need to replace the tire soon) Kerosene, automatic transmission fluid, diesel, simple green, oven cleaner... all should cut through the grease. Might need to soak it a bit, what I have done on some old nasty car parts is to soak a rag and let it sit on top of the grease for a few minutes and then scrub it with a wire or plastic brush. No matter what it's messy.


    Warning, some solvents like the oven cleaner will remove the finish on anodized aluminum wheels etc... Watch where you spray it.
     
    beyondhelp, Feb 24, 2010
    beyondhelp, Feb 24, 2010
  7. Feb 24, 2010 #5
    mark_gardner

    mark_gardner I Love microskiff.com!

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    try some mineral spirits and call me in the morning ;) :cool:
     
    mark_gardner, Feb 24, 2010
    mark_gardner, Feb 24, 2010
  8. Feb 25, 2010 #6
    hoser3

    hoser3 Well-Known Member

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    Old bath towel and 2 cans of brake parts cleaner.
     
    hoser3, Feb 25, 2010
    hoser3, Feb 25, 2010
  9. Feb 25, 2010 #7
    boggob

    boggob Beer me.

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    Gunk Engine Degreaser
     
    boggob, Feb 25, 2010
    boggob, Feb 25, 2010
  10. Feb 25, 2010 #8
    Frank_Sebastian

    Frank_Sebastian Well-Known Member

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    Spray it sparingly with brake cleaner and wipe. Do a little at a time. It will come clean very quickly.

    Frank_S
     
    Frank_Sebastian, Feb 25, 2010
    Frank_Sebastian, Feb 25, 2010
  11. Feb 25, 2010 #9
    evanslmtd

    evanslmtd Well-Known Member

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    brew
    I had a similar situation on the trailer under my Classic when I was bringing it back from FL (bearing cap came off). After wiping off most of the heavy deposits, I used a spray on brake cleaner, let it soak a few minutes, then wiped it clean with fresh/clean rags. It looked good as new when I finished.
     
    evanslmtd, Feb 25, 2010
    evanslmtd, Feb 25, 2010
  12. Feb 25, 2010 #10
    brew1891

    brew1891 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks guys. I will see what I have laying around the garage that matches any suggestions and give it a whirl this weekend. Will report back
     
    brew1891, Feb 25, 2010
    brew1891, Feb 25, 2010
  13. Mar 5, 2010 #11
    brew1891

    brew1891 Well-Known Member

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    UPDATE:

    Dug around the garage and the only thing I could find was WD-40. It worked good enough to get the rest of the grease off with a little scrubbing.

    Went to pull my other hub for inspection and found that it just starting to leak as well from the rear seal. Got a new seal on and it is now on.

    Went to discount tire and got two new Maxxis trailer tires installed on my wheels. While they are not USA made they have great internet reviews. Tried to get USA made GY Marathons but distributor in GA said that there are no USA made Marathons in my size. Just need to put the wheels back on.

    I'm also glad I went through this exercise because the prior owner installed the spare tire in such a way that I would never have been able to remove it at the road side if necessary.

    So hopefully this weekend the trailer will be back together, refreshed, and road worthy!
     
    brew1891, Mar 5, 2010
    brew1891, Mar 5, 2010
  14. Mar 5, 2010 #12
    mark_gardner

    mark_gardner I Love microskiff.com!

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    not sure about the maxxis tires but everything i've heard about g.y. marathons are that they are crap!! denmans seems to be a real popular tire. glad you got it all squared away :cool:
     
    mark_gardner, Mar 5, 2010
    mark_gardner, Mar 5, 2010
  15. Mar 6, 2010 #13
    brew1891

    brew1891 Well-Known Member

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    The Maxxis tires have great reviews online. Seems like the 5th wheel and toy hauler crowd love them. I guess I will find out!
     
    brew1891, Mar 6, 2010
    brew1891, Mar 6, 2010
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