What Kind of Winch Grease

[unbusted67]

Hey what kind of winch grease should I use?

[Wotname]

What sort of winch? sheet, anchor, powered, etc

[unbusted67]

Sorry, sheet, halyard, and a manual anchor winch. I am just wondering if regular old white grease is okay, or if, like all things marine, there is a more expensive alternative.

[Wotname]

Hutton Arco suggest any waterproof grease for general purpose type yacht winches although they alos suggest to avoid using a gease with telfon additives - I am not sure why.

You probably already know not to grease the pawls and springs, just use a light machine oil on these as grease can cause them to stick.

I just use whatever waterproof grease is handy at the time

I am sure there IS a more expensive marine alternative.

[boden36]

We use silicone grease as used in food processing equipment.
Regards,
Richard.

[D.D.]

Hey did you check with the winch manufactuer themselves?

[savoir]

By all means use the manufacturer's grease but it will probably be quite expensive. This stuff is cheaper and organic too.

"Lanolene, Wool derived Lanolin, Natural Eco-Responsible Renewable Resource Protectants and Lubricants"

[daddle]

Some small winches specify oil. Not grease. For grease any good automotive chassis grease is fine. The expensive lewmar stuff looks much like trailer bearing grease.

[Ziggy]

Calcium grease tenaciously adheres to gears and bearings and is very water resistant. When you buy grease from Selden, it's calcium based. I'm not 100% sure, but I think Lewmar grease is also calcium. Unfortunately, I was not able to find "non-marine" calcium grease in small retail quantities.

I think lithum waterpump grease works just fine.

[tamicatana]

Never grease pawls with thick grease. You can and should use a light machine oil on pawls. Sparingly, as in just a drop.

For the gears etc I like 'Phil' waterproof grease.

Phil Wood waterproof grease Google search

[Bash]

Originally Posted by savoir

By all means use the manufacturer's grease but it will probably be quite expensive. This stuff is cheaper and organic too.

"Lanolene, Wool derived Lanolin, Natural Eco-Responsible Renewable Resource Protectants and Lubricants"

A 3.5oz tube of Lewmar grease runs $15.

[sailnautilus]

All of the significant rigging companies in Florida use a product called
"Liquid-O-Ring", looks like grease in a big white plastic jar.
They use this for winches, turnbuckles, etc; even my mechanic has it in his tool box. Great to carry on board and have for multiple uses. Used on my Lewmar and Harken winches for years.....

[Sailmonkey]

I've always used waterproof trailer wheel bearing grease. Cheap and reliable.

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

I've always used waterproof trailer wheel bearing grease. Cheap and reliable.

You're right-that is calcium sulfonate grease and I expect it should work very well: LubriMatic Marine Trailer Wheel Bearing Grease - 16 oz. Can LubriMatic Tools L11404

I have to admit I just buy a tube of Lewmar winch grease at their outrageous price every few years.

[capt.bobfm]

Never use trailer wheel bearing grease. It boggs down with dirt and can cause irreparible damage to delicate internal parts of your winches.