Best way to clean grease gun?

[mike64]

I want to change grease types in my mini grease gun and I know you're not supposed to mix different types. So what's the best way to clean it to remove all trace of the old grease? I thought of running some paint thinner thru it but I don't want any leftover thinner diluting the new grease.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

If you are using cartridges, I would just change cartridges and pump enough grease through to clear the line. Shouldn't take too much.
Grease is thick enough that it should move almost all the old grease through, and the residual would be insignificant.

Unless the old or new greases are something unusual with odd properties, there should not be a problem.

After all, as Bondo says "any grease is better than ....."

 

[mike64]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

OK, I'll give that a try. I had heard that mixing different types of grease can cause a chemical reaction that causes the grease to harden. That's why I wanted to remove all trace of the old. But I guess the new grease would physically push the old stuff out. Easier than trying to wash the whole works out with mineral spirits!

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

You might wait for a bit to see if you get any dissenting opinions.

 

[mike64]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

You might wait for a bit to see if you get any dissenting opinions.

I will, but I don't think it'll hurt to try your method because the old and new greases are entirely different colors. So I should know if the new is completely pushing the old out or if they are mixing.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

I've had the same pneumatic gun for 15 years and honestly I've never even considered cleaning it. Then again, I've never been too picky about what grease I use, either. I use the red grease for bearings and exposed bits and lithium for the hidden bits. Both are compatible, so I guess there has never been a worry of chemical reactions.

I'm inclined to second the "as long as you use grease" notion. What tiny bit of grease that isn't pushed out when loading a new (chemically incompatible) cartridge I don't see hardening more than a tiny fraction of a single pump. Disposing of that single pump is the PITA part.. spare rag anyone?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

If you are using cartridges, I would just change cartridges and pump enough grease through to clear the line. Shouldn't take too much.
Grease is thick enough that it should move almost all the old grease through, and the residual would be insignificant.

Unless the old or new greases are something unusual with odd properties, there should not be a problem.

After all, as Bondo says "any grease is better than ....."

same answer

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

The weight of public opinion seems to be leaning our way.
I was just a little hesitant because like Lowkee, I've never even thought of cleaning any of my grease guns.
Run out of grease?...put in a new cartridge ...whatever the last cartridge was that I bought ...and drive on.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

because the old and new greases are entirely different colors.

Ayuh,... So just What are the Old,+ New Greases,..??

Unless you've been stealing grease cartridges from a chemical factory or something,...
I wouldn't worry too much about compatibilities....

Old Story,...
Had an old dumptruck that had to make but 1 more mile,+ to pass inspection the front end was a tad Loose...
1 of those mini-greaseguns full of black Sillicone, greased the front end, waited a couple of days, got the inspection,+ the 1 more lap...
I wiped out the bulk of what I could with a rag, loaded a grease cartridge, pumped it thru,...
And still have,+ use it occasionally today...

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

....like I said...."after all, as Bondo says...."

Ayuh,...
Any Grease is Better,..... Than No Grease at All..........

Mike, I think you're good to go!

 

[mike64]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

Ayuh,... So just What are the Old,+ New Greases,..??

Unless you've been stealing grease cartridges from a chemical factory or something,...
I wouldn't worry too much about compatibilities....

Hey Bond-o! The old grease is Briggs & Stratton brand all-purpose lube grease I was using on my lawn tractor. It's pitch black in color. The new is LubriMatic Marine Trailer Bearing Grease for my trailer hubs. Since that's a light blue color it'll be very easy to see if there's any mixing.

 

[dlngr]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

I know someone who got a deal on some black grease from a factory-and used it on a car.. All front wheels bearings on his car were junk after a few thousand miles. So yeah,just make sure 99% of the black stuff is gone.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

I know someone who got a deal on some black grease from a factory-and used it on a car.. All front wheels bearings on his car were junk after a few thousand miles.

Ayuh,... Color is Not a Grease Identifier,.... Period....
The Spec's,.. whether written on the package, or on it's MSD sheet is how grease is Identified....

Hey Bond-o! The old grease is Briggs & Stratton brand all-purpose lube grease I was using on my lawn tractor. It's pitch black in color. The new is LubriMatic Marine Trailer Bearing Grease for my trailer hubs. Since that's a light blue color it'll be very easy to see if there's any mixing.

I wouldn't hesitate in using those 2 greases interchangably....
To be Honest,... I've never liked those light blue greases,... Especially for trailers...
They Look like they have Water in them before you even use it...

 

[ThumbPkr]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

I would not worry too much about the mixing of the grease when changing brands but buying a new grease gun might be an option and now you have a choice of different greases for different applications.
I sometimes have three or more on my truck,sometimes each with different grease in them.I even had one with blue silicon in it to keep a track adjuster from leaking down until it could be replaced.Ron G

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

OK, I'll give that a try. I had heard that mixing different types of grease can cause a chemical reaction that causes the grease to harden. That's why I wanted to remove all trace of the old. But I guess the new grease would physically push the old stuff out. Easier than trying to wash the whole works out with mineral spirits!

Mineral spirits won't do much to cut grease. Aerosol carburetor cleaner will, and a few other nasty chemicals like acetone.

More importantly, however, it is rare that two greases will harden. More often, different grease types (i.e. lithium, moly grease, etc.) when mixed may break down and become thin and oily because different grease types use different chemical or molecular means to suspend additives and maintain viscosity.

I am probably way to anal about it but I don't mix grease types. I am careful about it. BTW I happen to like the light blue "waterproof" grease, but don't hold that against me bond-o

I have read that flushing the gun with a good long flow of the new grease is all that is required, but I tend to wipe every trace of old grease away before trying something new or if the old grease is an unknown.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

I think the only thing to look out for that the grease your changing to is compatible with what your greasing. Example; your not using chassis only grease to grease your wheel bearings. But its hard to find low temp grease now days. Most grease today is multipurpose high temp. Just food for thought.

 

[mike64]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

Great information everybody, thanks!

If Bond-o or anyone's still interested at this point, I took a look at the specs for the different greases: the BLACK grease is a graphite fortified lithium complex NLGI #2 grade. the BLUE marine grease is a calcium sulfonate complex NLGI #2.

On the tube of marine grease, it says "do not mix greases of different SOAP types.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

Whenever my grease gun gets too nasty, I find that a trip to Northern Tool gets me a nice new one.

Wife: "Where'd you go?"
Me: "I couldn't find my grease gun. I think the neighbor's dog carried it off. So I had to buy a new one."
Wife: "OK."

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Best way to clean grease gun?

I went through the same dilemna once, when I was young.

A little bit of grease is a mountain of grease, compared to no grease.
Multi or marine ain't going to make much difference.
Ain't lost a bearing in over 40 years with multi purpose applied regularly.