Question about cleaning gears

[Sepitus]

Hey all, I've recently bought a Grasshopper 1 (https://tamiyabase.com/tamiya-models/58346-58346) and even though ive just built it, i'm about to upgrade the bearings, motor and thought i'd properly grease the gears this time too whilst i am there with ceramic grease.

So, the question is:- how do i go about cleaning off the old grease (tamiya grease that came with the kit) from the gears?

Thank you in advance

[Willy iine]

I use motor spray and a tooth brush, and go easy on the grease during the reapplication.    It only needs a small amount.  GL! 

[OgNewb]

If the grease is clean. Why change, Open on a paper plate. Replace this part, put extra case grease on shaft, then bearing.Then reassemble.

[ChrisRx718]

Grease can be really tough to remove. I've found Fairy Liquid (Dawn Dish Soap if you're in the USA) and warm water, together with a brush with bristled that will move the grease from in between the teeth of the gears.

When replacing grease you only need a teeny tiny amount, enough to coat the contact faces. Any big globs of grease will actually increase friction and can end up being flung off almost straight away, creating a messy gearbox casing which becomes a magnet for dirt and dust. Not good!

[MadInventor]

I use white spirit (Turpentine ?) which is normally used for thinning oil based paint. This cuts through even old grease really easily and doesn't damage the gears. If you've applied the grease relatively recently I'd think about just wiping it off with kitchen roll. Fold the the tissue a couple of times and then use the folded edge to slide between each gear tooth.

 

[ad456]

I use Turpentine Substitute/Mineral Spirit or WD40 as it’s pretty much 75% mineral spirit anyway. Then a good wash with dish soap to remove the residues as to not break down the new grease. 

[Sepitus]

11 hours ago, Willy iine said:

I use motor spray and a tooth brush, and go easy on the grease during the reapplication.    It only needs a small amount.  GL! 

thank you and i saw that people are putting it on with toothpicks etc. at the time i didn't do this (not in the instructions)

8 hours ago, OgNewb said:

If the grease is clean. Why change, Open on a paper plate. Replace this part, put extra case grease on shaft, then bearing.Then reassemble.

the reason is that i have bought a big tube of ceramic grease and that old wise man told me never to mix grease haha

 

Thank you to all the other replies. i think I'm going to try these first and see how i get on. if not then I'll move to turps, wd40 etc.

[markbt73]

Cleaning the old grease off and re-applying really is overkill, but if it makes you happy, then go for it. But do be careful not to overdo it; the gears should be run almost completely dry. If there is a buildup of grease jnside the case after a couple of runs, you used too much. All you'll do by adding more is add drag on the gears.

[Rinskie]

I put grease on with a toothbrush. I squirt an amount that makes me happy on the gear then work it around with a tooth brush. The aim is to make is shiny with grease, not glob it on. I am of the less is more better crowd. Gears are cheap anyway so it's OK if I am wrong. My aim is to reduce resistance in the drive train. 

[bRIBEGuy]

Ultrasonic cleaner FTW!