Kerry Burton
Member
- Messages
- 1,163
- Location
- Orem, Utah
OK, so I'm slow...
I bought this Husky toolbox about ... 17? ... years ago, and put it out in my shed with my new-ish motorcycle. [Full Disclosure: The toolbox has never really been used for woodworking tools, unless a hammer and screwdrivers count.]
At first it "worked" just fine. But over the years I started noticing that, especially during the colder parts of the year, the drawers were harder and harder to pull open. I figured it had something to do with the pre-applied grease, but had no idea what I could do about it.
The other day, while cleaning out the shed so I could move it out of the easement (where I unwittingly paid to have it constructed 19 years ago) I mentioned my frustration to my wife. She said something about removing the drawers. I thought, "Can I do that?" Duh ... yes, I could. I just had to take a close look.
Anyway, I found the trouble. This 19-year-old grease is VERY gummy and sticky!
Unless someone talks me out of it, I already have a plan for the relubrication part. I want to do a side-by-side comparison of several products and see how they fare.
But my BIG QUESTION is about how to remove the current "goo" with the best combination of effectiveness, low odor and low residue.
I've read about kerosene, mineral spirits, naptha (too volatile?) and I have a couple of actual degreasers (Simple Green and some purple stuff). I'm not too worried about rust, but that might just be my ignorance of the type of metal those slides are made out of.
There you have it; the Suggestion Box is now OPEN!
I bought this Husky toolbox about ... 17? ... years ago, and put it out in my shed with my new-ish motorcycle. [Full Disclosure: The toolbox has never really been used for woodworking tools, unless a hammer and screwdrivers count.]
At first it "worked" just fine. But over the years I started noticing that, especially during the colder parts of the year, the drawers were harder and harder to pull open. I figured it had something to do with the pre-applied grease, but had no idea what I could do about it.
The other day, while cleaning out the shed so I could move it out of the easement (where I unwittingly paid to have it constructed 19 years ago) I mentioned my frustration to my wife. She said something about removing the drawers. I thought, "Can I do that?" Duh ... yes, I could. I just had to take a close look.
Anyway, I found the trouble. This 19-year-old grease is VERY gummy and sticky!
Unless someone talks me out of it, I already have a plan for the relubrication part. I want to do a side-by-side comparison of several products and see how they fare.
But my BIG QUESTION is about how to remove the current "goo" with the best combination of effectiveness, low odor and low residue.
I've read about kerosene, mineral spirits, naptha (too volatile?) and I have a couple of actual degreasers (Simple Green and some purple stuff). I'm not too worried about rust, but that might just be my ignorance of the type of metal those slides are made out of.
There you have it; the Suggestion Box is now OPEN!
Might I suggest adding CRC-36 multipurpose to the mix? It's been pretty much my go-to for the last 4-5 years.
