On Sat, 19 Sep 2015 10:37:59 -0400, Joe Gwinn
wrote:

In article , Tim Wescott
wrote:

On Fri, 18 Sep 2015 18:07:54 -0500, Lloyd E. Sponenburgh wrote:

fired this volley in
:

What could cause this grease to do what it did?

Soap. Most 'greases' are suspensions of an oil in a soap. Once the oil
has evaporated or been expelled by heat, the soap congeals and finally
dries and hardens.

And soap is NOT soluble in mineral spirits. Water would likely have
cleaned it up faster.

Caviat: this is based on theory, not experience.

It may not be too late. Try soaking in hot water, or even boiling it. A
bit of dishwashing detergent in the mix might cut through any solvents
left in there.

Acetone can also help.

Joe Gwinn
I last night put the planetary assembly part of the mixer into a jar
with acetone and shook it up. No dissolving. This morning the grease
has still not dissolved in the acetone. Break Free brand penetrating
oil does dissolve the old grease. Slowly.
Eric