Have had the winch rope covered in mud a few times now, and yesterday stuffed it full of Landcruiser Park dust so needed to clean the rope again. Last few times has been a pain in the butt to clean up 30 metres of rope, especially when packed full of mud, so decided to have a go at making a quick and easy cleaner for it.
Had seen a few discussed over the last year or two and with this in the back of my mind set to it with the bits and pieces I had laying around.
First I started off with an old twist type hose nozzle that had seen better days (like this one, but not the same one as I ripped it apart before the 'before' photo!)
So then I smashed the twist bit off it and heated the end the water comes out of and squashed it flat, cleaning the groove out that it left with the back end of a stanly knife blade, making sure the end is smooth so the rope will slide past and not get caught (yes, I know it looks a little phallic...)
So that the water sprays out in a wide flat spray
Then I cut some grooves about 5mm from the end, on the sides at either end of the water groove
With that bit finished I grabbed a bit of 32mm conduit I had laying around, cut off about 100mm then cut a 5 or so mm slice out of it length wise. Sanded all rough or sharp bits off, as this is to allow the rope to be pushed into into the tube and you dont want it to catch on or damage the rope. Then using the grooves cut into the nozzle end I slide the nozzle into the slot to test the fit. Nice and tight in the groove and wont blow itself out with the water pressure.
Now to clean the rope! I didnt take a pic of doing that, but afterwoods I stuck a piece of rope similar size into it to to show you what it looks like. Simply place the rope in the slot, slide the nozzle into the grove, turn the tap on and work your way along the rope pulling the rope back and forth a foot or two at a time.
Viola! Clean winch rope without to much stuffing around
The Jeep
Trailhawk
Winch Rope Cleaner
