How to clean grease zerks before greasing

   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #1  

BruceWard

Platinum Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2008
Messages
850
Location
Central, AR
I typically use a stick to clean off the old grease before greasing.

How do you guys do it?
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #2  
i use a rag before and after to clean up the sometimes spillage
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #3  
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.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #4  
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
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #5  
I leave little grease on nipple..clean nipple w/rag also nail trick.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #6  
Nobody else uses teeth and twisty straw... huh?

:D

Rag and screwdriver for me too.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #7  
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.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #8  
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.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #9  
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.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #11  
Old pair of underwear or socks.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #13  
No, they are the ones the wife determines have too many holes in them and they go to the rag pile.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #14  
I use a "Scott's" shop towel, and wear rubber mechanics gloves as well. It's much easier to take a glove off and throw it away then it is to scrub the crud from your hands and nails.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #15  
Nitrile gloves are a must for me when I am anywhere near moly grease. I use the blue shop paper towels and a screwdriver.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #16  
I just wipe em off with a finger tip...
I keep the nitrile gloves on hand but never remember to put them on until it is too late......then why bother ;)
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #17  
I use a "Scott's" shop towel, and wear rubber mechanics gloves as well. It's much easier to take a glove off and throw it away then it is to scrub the crud from your hands and nails.

cant let a little grease scare ya
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #18  
cant let a little grease scare ya

I never said grease scared me, I said it's easier to take a dirty glove off than it is to spend 20 minutes cleaning the grit and grease from the cracks and pores of your hands. Work smarter, not harder.
 
   / How to clean grease zerks before greasing #19  
spend 20 minutes cleaning the grit and grease from the cracks and pores of your hands

Why scrub? They clean right up the next time you wash your hair.. :D


(I use gloves, wipe the fittings off with rag prior to, leave a bit of grease on the fitting when done, then scrub anyway because the stupid finger tore off the glove)
 

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