My take on this is that it is OK to use a small screwdriver or the like, to gently scrape the hardened crud away, and then use cleaner for the remaining residue. It could take forever to clean bulk material away, not unlike trying to remove linoleum paint from the wall by cleaning it with a scrubby sponge. Scrape the stuff away, but not with a force so hard that it will scrape the hub parts, and then you should be able to use cleaner for the rest. I use Simple Green mixed 50/50 with water for the cleaning solution, but be well aware that it must be rinsed off afterward, and not allowed to sit wet for more than a half hour to an hour, lest the aluminum should begin to discolor.
You didn't mention it, but if you are trying to remove stuff through the chromed dust covers, it will make the job much more difficult. Find a rod or tool handle that is as close to the size of the I.D. of the dust cover hole, insert and then "walk" the rod around with pressure, and the dust cover will pop off with no damage. Replacing the cover should be done gently and again with some kind of even pressure, to keep it form going on askew, or denting it in the process. not a big deal really, it sounds worse that it is.
Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield, Michigan, USA ~ ~ ~
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 02:35:27 -0700 From: Jon Spangler <jonswriter@att.net> Subject: [CR] Cleaning Campi hubs of old, dried grease? To: Dale Brown _classicrendezvous@bikelist.org_ (mailto:classicrendezvous@bikelist.org)
Listers,
It has been years since I've overhauled a Campi NR hub. (This one is a 1974 NR lo-flange 36H that I bought used at American Cyclery to replace my original 1972-ish one that has bad (bent?) races and can't be adjusted well.)
This "new" (to me) hub had 2-3 varieties of old, dried grease inside. I used citrus solvent (diluted about 4:1 with water)but it did not remove all the grease--although it did dull the hub's finish... :-(
After rinsing and wiping with rags, Q-tips, and paper towels there is still some red grease inside this hub and I can't seem to remove it. Should I try some of the good ol' petrochemical solvents or are there other ways to remove this old, contaminated grease?
Thanks,
Jon Spangler Who is remembering now why he likes Phil Wood hubs so much, even if playing mechanic is somewhat recreational, in Alameda, CA USA
Jon Spangler
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