View Full Version : Cleaning winch rope
Rock Trol
24th June 2015, 06:52 PM
I have a question regarding cleaning of winch ropes. I have just washed mine (sand driving last weekend) in a bucket of water and hung it up in the car port to air dry. I pushed the rope together to open the fibres and wash out any sand or dirt. Being winter I don't know how long it will take to be completely dry. How crucial is it for the rope to be completely dry?
Reading on the net a lot of users just wash the ropes off with a hose if there is dust/sand on it while still on the drum. In my case I did not use the winch on the weekend but there was sand sitting on top of it so decided to give it a wash. Could I have just sprayed water on it instead?
Hodge
24th June 2015, 06:58 PM
I think they are designed to cop moisture etc... If used, I wash mine in a bucket of warm water, just rinse it out by opening strands, like you did. And if sunny/warm I leave it out and let it dry.
If you think about it, even if not used, and it's raining the rope will be wet for days after.
Rossco
24th June 2015, 07:03 PM
Yeah i give mine a wash in a bucket if it's pretty filthy then try and dry it out a bit. Ideally would be best to put away dry as but can be hard in winter, so i guess it's not ceruitial to put away a bit damp. . . At least your looking after it better than a lot of winches get treated i reckon. . .
Rock Trol
24th June 2015, 07:14 PM
They do say Dyneema SK75 is mould resistant so its probably all right to just spray crud off the top next time if I have not actually used the rope for a recovery in mud/sand.
BigRAWesty
24th June 2015, 08:07 PM
I leave mine rolled up under the seat.
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Maxhead
24th June 2015, 08:29 PM
I leave mine covered in mud till next time I use it which could be months. Never failed but watch the "angry thread" when it does..lol
BTW, its been 3 years so far
katwoman
24th June 2015, 08:33 PM
I pulled mine out, washed in soapy water, rinsed and rolled up wet, cos I needed the car.. But it washed all the colour out. :(
Rock Trol
24th June 2015, 09:28 PM
I just used warm water this time. Katwomen, what sort of rope or soap was it that the colour would be washed away?
So it sounds like I don't need to be too precious about it:
1. Hose off if there is surface dirt/mud/sand
2. Wash properly and dry as much as possible if rope used in mud/sand
katwoman
25th June 2015, 08:24 AM
I just used warm water this time. Katwomen, what sort of rope or soap was it that the colour would be washed away? So it sounds like I don't need to be too precious about it: 1. Hose off if there is surface dirt/mud/sand 2. Wash properly and dry as much as possible if rope used in mud/sand
It's only a super morons ( sorry, Supercheap) winch and I used RL18 truck wash.
threedogs
25th June 2015, 02:28 PM
Is it worth buying one of those canvas covers for the times its not used and getting all the road grit in it.
I covered the piece from the hook to the hawes in split black tubing, as I think it would get a pounding and fail in that area.
Just need to look at your windscreen after a few years.
I like that end that Snake racing sell makes things look neat imo
Throbbinhood
25th June 2015, 03:13 PM
I put mine in the washing machine, in one of those bra bag things. Cold water, no powder/detergent. Did do half hour cycles. Came out clean as. Went through a few bits and pushed the fibers, all looked pretty good after the wash so didn't bother with the whole thing. We've got central heating, I just hung mine between the chairs around the dining table at home (much to my partners delight...), and the rope felt pretty dry after a night or two. To be honest, it felt pretty dry after the spin cycle - would certainly be better than what it gets in the rain anyway.
Rock Trol
25th June 2015, 06:28 PM
Mine was dry by about midday today so spooled it back on. I have not had a chance to tension the rope yet. How important is it to tension synthetic rope?
I know with steel cable its essential.
Winnie
25th June 2015, 06:40 PM
Yep it's essential with rope to do it under tension too or else once a load is applied it can slip under the previous runs and then start to work backwards and jam up, not ideal in a sticky situation.
Throbbinhood
26th June 2015, 10:42 AM
Yep it's essential with rope to do it under tension too or else once a load is applied it can slip under the previous runs and then start to work backwards and jam up, not ideal in a sticky situation.
100% this! Plus, then it looks nice :P
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