Corrosion fix - Warn Zeon winch?

[dragoneggs]

Just under three years and not exposing to saltwater I have a major issue with my aluminum winch drum. Anyone else experience this? If so, how have you dealt with it? I don’t want to pull this completely apart as the winch is buried in my bumper and would be a royal PITA to remove. Pulled the rope completely and washed it but don’t know how to tackle the drum.

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[dragoneggs]

bump

 

[DonH63]

Is it corrosion or just "powder" from the line? What's the drum made of, aluminum or steel? Either way, I'd probably try a cloth with white vinegar to wipe it down, then rinse well, dry, and reload the line. If it's stubborn, try a baking soda paste with baking soda and a little water (NOT vinegar!) to create a mild abrasive and wipe with a cloth. There are aluminum and steel cleaner/polisher chemicals but not sure I'd bother with the drum. I would check for any significant pitting of the drum during the wipe down.

 

[Krondor]

Agreed.

Pull the line completely along with that fairlead. Time for some TLC.

 

[gek]

Pour some wine on it.

 

[Remorseless]

Jesus, in my day we used a sock

 

[gek]

Is it corrosion or just "power" from the line? What's the drum made of, aluminum or steel? Either way, I'd probably try a cloth with white vinegar to wipe it down, then rinse well, dry, and reload the line. If it's stubborn, try a baking soda paste with baking soda and a little water (NOT vinegar!) to create a mild abrasive and wipe with a cloth. There are aluminum and steel cleaner/polisher chemicals but not sure I'd bother with the drum. I would check for any significant pitting of the drum during the wipe down.

Baking soda/vinegar method gets my vote

 

[DonH63]

Steel corrosion is usually brownish, and aluminum usually a darker grey IIRC, making me think this is likely "rope dust". A wipe with a (water and/or vinegar) wet rag (or sock, trust @Remorseless to put a sock in it) may be all that's needed, but I've heard tell of folk using one of those soft scrubbing pads for nonstick kitchen pans to help get caked spots off the drum.

Baking soda is pervasive so best used if you actually remove the drum, a PITA, to prevent baking soda from getting past the seals.

 

[DonH63]

Jesus, in my day we used a sock

Never associated you with "What Would Jesus Do". Maybe you're older than I thought.

 

[Remorseless]

Steel corrosion is usually brownish, and aluminum usually a darker grey IIRC, making me think this is likely "rope dust". A wipe with a (water and/or vinegar) wet rag (or sock, trust @Remorseless to put a sock in it) may be all that's needed, but I've heard tell of folk using one of those soft scrubbing pads for nonstick kitchen pans to help get caked spots off the drum.

Baking soda is pervasive so best used if you actually remove the drum, a PITA, to prevent baking soda from getting past the seals.

Nah that looks like whitish aluminum oxidation. It's on the fairlead too.

I'd just hit it with a Scotch-Brite pad and call it a day, personally.

 

[dragoneggs]

Agreed.

Pull the line completely along with that fairlead. Time for some TLC.

Fairlead coming off and a new Factor55 hard anodized going on.

 

[gek]

Last suggestion ... put the rope back on and spool it up and pretend you never saw it.

 

[dragoneggs]

Is it corrosion or just "power" from the line? What's the drum made of, aluminum or steel? Either way, I'd probably try a cloth with white vinegar to wipe it down, then rinse well, dry, and reload the line. If it's stubborn, try a baking soda paste with baking soda and a little water (NOT vinegar!) to create a mild abrasive and wipe with a cloth. There are aluminum and steel cleaner/polisher chemicals but not sure I'd bother with the drum. I would check for any significant pitting of the drum during the wipe down.

Definitely corrosion on the aluminum drum/spool or whatever you call it.

 

[DonH63]

Last suggestion ... put the rope back on and spool it up and pretend you never saw it.

Definitely going to be my solution. Actually, the line and drum are very hard to see on the stock Rubicon steel bumper, so I just plan to not unspool the line that far. I do need to (re)tension it for the season.

 

[dragoneggs]

Nah that looks like whitish aluminum oxidation. It's on the fairlead too.

I'd just hit it with a Scotch-Brite pad and call it a day, personally.

Definitely thick corrosion on the drum. Fairlead seems to have some kind of seal coating and the oxidation is underneath.

Still shocked at the amount. I have an email into Warn.

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