How to clean grease zerks before greasing

[BruceWard]

I typically use a stick to clean off the old grease before greasing.

How do you guys do it?

 

[donais]

i use a rag before and after to clean up the sometimes spillage

 

[CurlyDave]

I use a paper towel and a 16d nail to force it into small spaces.

The nail won't break like a stick and it is cheap enough to be a throw-away.

 

[tommu56]

I leave a wad of grease on the nipple when I finish greasing it to keep junk out of the end of fitting and wipe it off with a towel or rag just before I grease it the next time
I use Dave's nail trick or a old screwdriver too to clean out the bad ones like on the bucket pivots that get packed with dirt.

tom

 

[Thomas]

I leave little grease on nipple..clean nipple w/rag also nail trick.

 

[fishpick]

Nobody else uses teeth and twisty straw... huh?



Rag and screwdriver for me too.

 

[Runner]

Mine usually get cleaned off with the leg of my pants.

I use an ice pick to open the zerk up if it gets sticky.

 

[duckhunt]

I pressure wash mine. I spray them down with some simple green, or other degreaser, let it soak a few seconds, the spray them clean. After I let dry a while I pump them full again. I feel that this is only necessary on the bucket pivot points. Mine a always full of dirt and mud. Others I use a paper towel or rag.

 

[20 20]

What ever happens to be handy, stick, nail, screw driver, with rag. I also keep a box of rubber gloves{doc. nurse type} around easier to get those dirty and throw out then get all over hands. You can find them cheap at harbor freight.

 

[fishpick]

I also keep a box of rubber gloves{doc. nurse type} around

They do double duty when you want to scare off the pesky neighbor...