De-Greasing Parts

[Neverending Project]

I have my yoke (pic below) disassembled and and all the parts are sitting in a bucket of 3-parts water with one-part 409. Does anyone have any other suggestions for getting these things clean? It was some pretty thick grease.

[SavannahLion]

WD-40 works pretty well. But it attracts dirt. remove the grease, then wipe down the WD-40 then relube.

Gunshops have a degreaser I've used a couple of times that kicks ass. Can't recall the name of it though.

Check automotive stores, they have scads of products for it.

Depending on the composition of the grease and the materials involved, I've fallen back to everything from 99% alcohol to thinners to (once) gasoline. Take care with the solvents though, don't smoke and don't light a match.

I have never, not once, ever thought to use 409 though. So you got me there. 

In any case, regardless of what solvents I've used. Brushes are your friend, go steal your sisters toothbrush and use that to remove the majority of the grease and grime. 

[Ken Layton]

You're gonna rust the hell out of those parts with what you're doing now!

Go to the paint section of your local hardware store and get a can of odorless Mineral Spirits. Buy a few "acid" brushes too while you're there. Mineral spirits will take that grease right off. Then just let the parts dry off on an old towel or rag.

[SavannahLion]

You're gonna rust the hell out of those parts with what you're doing now!

I thought you were talking just about the 409. Woah, he's got them in a bucket with water?? I must've not had my coffee yet. Yeah dude, take those parts out and dry them off.

[channelmaniac]

Castrol makes an automotive engine degreaser that is basically a super concentrated industrial soap. It'll take any grease off and works damn well doing it.

Just make sure you oil up any exposed metal parts with a lightweight machine oil (NOT WD-40) quickly to keep them from rusting. When ready to put it all back you can then use some good quality grease to lube up the gears.

Don't use automotive brake grease. That stuff is cheap and will eat away at some types of plastics.

RJ

[Neverending Project]

The service manual calls for two types of grease for reassembly, but I don't have the parts list so I can't tell what kind of grease they recommend. Can anyone help decipher what type of grease they are referring to? See attached pictures.

Oh, and it appears that the second page calls for lithium grease... what can I use as a substitute for this? I have silicone-based spray lubricant, can that be used anywhere?

[Ken Layton]

Just use Lubriplate or white lithium grease available at all auto parts stores.

I use Lubriplate on all coin operated machines where grease is specified.

[SavannahLion]

Oh, and it appears that the second page calls for lithium grease... what can I use as a substitute for this?

There's no need to substitute Lithium. It's still ridiculously common, but often not in the form that was available twenty years ago. I guess black was more common than white twenty years ago? But I digress, Lithium can be found in small 2oz tubes for too much $$ or be had from Lowes, HD, automotive stores, or whatever in reasonable quantities.

Ken: Bah! You beat me while I was distracted. Lubriplate? I vaguely recall only ever seeing it in big tubs or buckets. They sell them in more reasonable quantities?

[Ken Layton]

Aero Lubriplate is available in 1.75 ounce squeeze tubes. Most arcade game parts houses like Happ Controls, Competitive Products, etc sell it.

Or you can go to www.lubriplate.com and order product id 11386.

If you have an Applied Industrial Technologies branch office in your area, you can buy it from them (www.applied.com).