First Oil Change in Garage ...

[jfranco]

Hi Guys,

Did my first oil change in my new garage. Spent more time trying to get everything cleaned up then doing the actual change.

I have RaceDeck flooring, so this is not on bare concrete.

Realized I was not really prepared for clean up in general.
So, what are you guys using for:

- Small oil/grease spills on floor and to clean pans, funnels, etc. Need something that will just cut the oil and I can wipe up with a rag for small spills.

- Large oil and antifreeze spills, kitty litter?

- Good general degreaser for parts?

- Shops rags? Paper towels were not cutting it.

-Any other general clean up ideas/tips?

Thanks!!

 

[ChaseDE]

I just have plain old concrete or work in the driveway on black top, for this I use a large piece of cardboard* under where I expect spills/drips.

*I have a seemingly unlimited supply of cardboard from moving boxes.

 

[ItsNemo]

I just have plain old concrete or work in the driveway on black top, for this I use a large piece of cardboard* under where I expect spills/drips.

*I have a seemingly unlimited supply of cardboard from moving boxes.

100% this. Throw a big piece of cardboard down under the area...it soaks up the spills and keeps the floor clean. Dispose of accordingly when done.

I just use the rolls of blue shop towels for wiping things down, I seem to go through way too much of it but at $2.19/roll I just include one in the cost of any project I'm doing.

 

[rossomania]

Great questions from the OP. I’ve got an epoxy painted floor which is pretty forgiving about most spills, but I’ve resorted to keeping a couple of large cardboard pieces around “just in case” of a larger spill or leak risk.

Anyway, seems there’s gotta be some better solutions out there for care and cleanup of the garage.

 

[Shehzada]

Do you always have problems with spills or only this time?

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[anndel]

Blue Scott shop paper towels, large cardboard, brake parts cleaner and/or Simple Green to spray on oil stains.

 

[APEowner]

- Small oil/grease spills on floor and to clean pans, funnels, etc. Need something that will just cut the oil and I can wipe up with a rag for small spills.

I use Simple Green or brake clean depending on what the spill is on and how clean I need it to be.

- Large oil and antifreeze spills, kitty litter?

Pig Mats from New Pig

- Good general degreaser for parts?

Again, brake clean or Simple Green

- Shops rags? Paper towels were not cutting it.

I'm a fan of the traditional red shop rag for most stuff. I buy them from New Pig but you can get them in smaller quantities at most auto parts stores.

I also use the Scott brand blue shop towels when lint will be an issue or for laying parts out on and white lint free wipes for polishing stuff.

 

[jfranco]

Do you always have problems with spills or only this time?

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Has not typically been an major issue, but as jobs get more involved and spills happen, I want to have stuff on hand to clean up and move on.

For example. Some oil spilled while I was doing a transfer to the recycle container. Wiped it up with some paper towels, but still nice and slippery on the plastic floor. Did not have anything to spray or wipe it with that would really cut and pick up the oil residue.

 

[Shehzada]

Purple power has always worked for me. What oil pan do u use?

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[WWheeler]

It's long been a point of pride of mine that I don't spill a drop doing an oil change, but no matter how many times I show my boy how to do it I have to keep cardboard around for him. If any does make it to the concrete we brush in (sometimes with a foot) oil-dry which looks to be generic kitty-litter, let it sit, then sweep it up. If your concrete is sealed it doesn't leave any trace.

 

[4Kings]

Spills happen. I have a couple of these that I use under drain pans. Still have to wipe it down but I'd rather clean this than my floor.

https://www.autozone.com/shop-and-garage-tools/oil-drain-pan/flotool-large-dip-tray/475418_0_0

 

[ChaseDE]

100% this. Throw a big piece of cardboard down under the area...it soaks up the spills and keeps the floor clean. Dispose of accordingly when done.

I just use the rolls of blue shop towels for wiping things down, I seem to go through way too much of it but at $2.19/roll I just include one in the cost of any project I'm doing.

Yes, same. I usually don't spill anything, just drips. Those drips dry most of the time and I can use the same piece of cardboard like 10 times before it is actually to ragged to use again.

 

[jfranco]

Purple power has always worked for me. What oil pan do u use?

Sent from my mobile device

I have something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0059HJSA2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Small Pigg blankets work great for cleaning up spills or under a leaking vehicle.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[5ktq]

I usually wipe it up somewhat with paper towel, put some newspapers over top, and put and ounce or two of solvent on the newspaper... thins the oil out and draws it into the paper.

 

[Kenskip1]

Card board paper towels and a Case of Brake Clean. I buy it buy the case.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

For example. Some oil spilled while I was doing a transfer to the recycle container. Wiped it up with some paper towels, but still nice and slippery on the plastic floor. Did not have anything to spray or wipe it with that would really cut and pick up the oil residue.

Take them in for recycling in the same container.

 

[Coach James]

Sheet of cardboard, blue paper towels, profanity.


Coach

 

[sberry]

I got used to common paper towels. Its so easy. A roll of the blues sitting around wouldn't be a deal breaker but the POM from Sams is what I really use. Same for 12 oz coffee cups.

 

[JMQ4]

I’ll echo the cardboard. Whenever we get anything that comes in a large cardboard box, I save it for working under the cars. After it gets too bad from spills, I take it to the recycling center and pull out the next. I had a friend stay at the house once and he needed to put a new rack in his Honda - first thing he asked me was, “where’s your refrigerator box?”.

 

[Tallpilot]

Pig mats are awesome. If you have epoxy floors don't get brake clean on them. The small oil catchers ****. I like the bigger ones with the spill free rim and the anti splatter pads that Lisle or somebody makes also help in the pan.

 

[TexMedium]

i only use genuine Acme brand non-amalgamated particle board. Keep it in plastic pails.

 

[Vvmvbb]

I save old shower curtains/lliners. Wipe em down with ordinary paper towels and fold em up for next time. Toss em when necessary. You can't do oil changes on 911s or 944s without spilling some.

 

[beamrider]

Roll of Visqueen (or comparable product). Cut to size desired. Use. Lather well, rinse, repeat. Replace when necessary, or whenever desired.

 

[lestat]

I always keep a canister of brake cleaner and paper towels handy, it cuts through grease like nothing else. Isopropyl works well too, almost as good as brake cleaner. But when I use it indoors, and it's more than just a few dabs, I wear a mask. I use it all the time and I'd assume at some point it adds up.

As for doing a tidy oil change, install a Fumoto or EZ oil drain valve. You would have to be really clumsy to make a mess with that.

 

[Wes Tex]

Two high school coaches in the family. When school is out for the summer, the students refuse to take their towels home. I end up with more good bath towels than I can ever hope to use. They are great for cleaning up almost anything.

 

[Tonyuk]

Hi Guys,

Did my first oil change in my new garage. Spent more time trying to get everything cleaned up then doing the actual change.

I have RaceDeck flooring, so this is not on bare concrete.

Realized I was not really prepared for clean up in general.
So, what are you guys using for:

- Small oil/grease spills on floor and to clean pans, funnels, etc. Need something that will just cut the oil and I can wipe up with a rag for small spills.

I use brake clean by Wurth, its cheaper to buy it in 5L containers and fill up one of their plastic spray bottles.

- Large oil and antifreeze spills, kitty litter?

Yeah i use cat litter.

- Good general degreaser for parts?

Again i normally use brake clean, however foaming oven cleaner is very good, so is those containers of heavy duty kitchen cleaners diluted with a bit of water.

- Shops rags? Paper towels were not cutting it.

Microfiber shop rags from costco as well as a pack of standard rags

-Any other general clean up ideas/tips?

A tub of good hand wash near the sink, and the type of handle they use in hospital to turn the water on and off with the elbow. Cardboard as mentioned is good to keep around for spills as well as lying down on. Old beach towels are great too

Thanks!!

Couple of answers to the above

 

[CR888]

Salt will soak up oil. But for an oil change just be organised, have your rags tools and drain pan together & ready. Some cardboard or newspaper will act as floor protection should some oil spill.

 

[pilotmotor]

I use a large drain pan that goes under a washing machine as a secondary catch pan, its a little flimsy but keeps the spills contained. It has a low lip so its easy to work over. I also use the trays that you put your boots on at the front door for smaller jobs , usually to catch rust and brake fluid when doing brake jobs. I also cut the bottom off plastic 55 gal barrels and use them for primary drain pans. I got some barrels years ago that had reinforced bottoms and worked great . Some holes in the sides and rope handles , or just slots for hand grips .

 

[Bagherra]

ON the same note....when I do oil changes I wear disposable gloves...

My dad has a sink in his garage (one of these days in mine) but he also keeps a box of the powdered laundry detergent (Dollar General) next to sink. Gets hands clean and has just enough grit to take dirt off.

 

[ChaseDE]

I also wear gloves when working on dirty stuff, oil changes, brakes, etc. No shame in it.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Old wash cloths and towels dipped in the mineral spirits from the parts washer. Final wipe with a clean cloth and a squirt of carb or brake cleaner.

 

[jfranco]

Thanks guys, lots of great tips!!

 

[jkesselr]

I am surprised nobody has listed peat moss. Get a brick of peat moss and a large garbage can with a lid. Peat moss has the texture of a really fine bark dust. It is cheap and does a better job of cleaning up spills than kitty litter, at least in my opinion. The best part is that it is dirt cheap and often reusable. I bought a brick and a Rubbermaid brute garbage can (the ones that are like 3’ - 4’ high). I think the brick of peat moss was $9 or $10. That was two years ago, and I haven’t even put a dent in it. I use it for cleaning up spills around a 55’x110’ shop, so it gets used a fair bit.

 

[bpjr]

On one side of my garage I have an 8' long x 1/4" thick ply cut narrow enough to drive over without the wheels hitting it. It catches anything that drops and I just wipe up with rags or remove to sweep.

The other side I have large pieces of cardboard (from appliances) that I replace if they get too oily. This is where I change oil. I also use discarded pizza boxes to catch drippings. Cleanup with rags or newspapers.

 

[The Fall]

Kitty litter. Let is absorb for a few hours. Move it around with a broom a few times before sweeping up.

 

[Pitalplace]

Behind your local appliance store is an endless supply of large cardboard. I also use plain clay kitty litter. Leave it sit for a couple days and it usually will soak up all the oil.

 

[ryan20021982]

I use a normal oil catch pan but I put it in one of those big pans for under a washing machine, works good because I always spill lol

 

[Eric29]

I use something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F5XQMO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Advanced auto parts has them cheaper but that link doesn’t translate to this forum for some reason.

 

[wayne55]

I try not to spill any oil, but you always get some splatter. If this has not been mentioned, I coated my concrete floor with concrete sealer years ago, and any splatter just wipes up.