Storage of Oil Changing Equipment

pearlsnap · Feb 14, 2011

I am working on organizing my garage and getting everything in better shape. One thing I want to do is get my oil changing equipment hidden and out of site.

Right now I have a 5 gallon bucket for storage of old oil, a large drain pan, a small drain pan for lawnmowers, and a couple of funnels setting on a piece of hardy board that is in the middle of my shop (sometimes I slide it under my work bench). In the future I plan on buying one of the large shallow drip pans.

Since I have seen a lot of really nice garages on here along with some really nice cars I assume that most of you change your own oil but I have yet to see a messy oil corner. My question is how do you store all the supplies and old oil without it being an eye sore and at the same time not getting everything covered with oil. Do you use other supplies that are easier to store/keep clean?

Thanks,

csp · Feb 14, 2011

The easiest way to avoid a messy oil corner is not to make a mess in the first place and clean up when you do make one.

I drain vehicles into drain pans when my oil bucket won't fit under the vehicle. I also put cardboard down before draining. Once the oil change is done, carefully dump the drain pan into a five gallon bucket (has a sealing lid) then wipe the drain pan clean. Once the bucket is full, take it to be recycled. Wipe up spills as you go.

boiler7904 · Feb 14, 2011

My plastic drain pan (I want to say 18" dia, 3 gallon capacity with a pour spout) and funnel are wiped out after use and hang on the wall between uses. Used oil is poured back into the 5 qt jugs I buy the new oil in. Our county has household hazardous waste collections every 3-4 weeks from Mid-April to Sept or Oct where they take the jugs and oil - waiting for the first one this spring to get rid of the few gallons I have sitting in my garage. With an epoxy floor, spills can be wiped up pretty easily if I get to them right away. Filters and oil are stored on shelves.

brownbagg · Feb 14, 2011

mine is outside on the ground where I left it, six months ago

sberry · Feb 14, 2011

I no longer use bulk barrel oil which helps a lot but have complete system of sorts, have a 275 to dump in to out in storage building. I didn't use one of those ready made deals, I use tray, dump into pail, dump into storage. Probably don't average one a week though.
The screen fits over the tray and have since made a filter drainer for the bucket although in winter they get tossed directly into stove. Stand telescopes, took me about hour to scrounge up the stuff and make it.

scott37300 · Feb 14, 2011

pearlsnap said:
Since I have seen a lot of really nice garages on here along with some really nice cars I assume that most of you change your own oil but I have yet to see a messy oil corner.

You think everyone with the nice clean garages changes their own oil? They take it to the quick lube and keep the garage clean. :lol_hitti

I have a couple drain pans, two for oil and one for antifreeze that are sitting under a project vehicle right now. Also have 4 5 gallon jugs with covers and pour spouts on them sitting in the corner.

Funnels is the big thing for me. I have been meaning to make a PVC funnel storage/drain. Just a bunch of pvc plumbing wye fittings stacked up and glued together that the funnels sit in. And then a pail under them for the oil that drains out of the funnels to collect in.

hetkind · Feb 14, 2011

All my oil change equipment, drain pans, funnels, and such, live in a metal storage cabinet. The five gallon collecton bucket lives in a large plastic tote (double containment) in a covered porch area. After every use, it gets cleaned up and put away. Plus it keeps all my equipment clean and dust free.

Howard

JCQuick · Feb 14, 2011

I'm in the same boat I hate my oil change stuff storage I made mine so that the drain pan can hang and still drain . but I still don't like it. so i to want to see what others have done

trbomax · Feb 14, 2011

I just drain mine into the floor trench drain,then hose down the area.

davidj · Feb 14, 2011

I have the waste oil stored in the new oil bottles after the new oil goes into the car or truck. the drain pan goes on the bottom of my shelf. its not really in the way down there and doesnt cause alot of attention.

AMCguy · Feb 14, 2011

Here is my setup. Although professional looking, this is only my home shop. I use an old Lincoln 613 Drainmobile. I got it from out behind the local GM dealership. They didn't want it, so they gave it to me.

The top end of the blue barrel has a bung in the middle. When it gets full, I just put the plug in and take it to Canadian Tire and dump it. They have a huge oil recycling tank, free for public use.

I'm assuming you don't have a lift. Before I had mine, The barrel sat in the corner. I would collect oil in a drain pan and dump it into the barrel through a large funnel that was always in place.

finn · Feb 14, 2011

I bought one of those little (triangular) deck/garden storage boxes and keep it outside next to my garbage can "shed/shelter". The box is about 2'X2' and probably 3' high, with a shelf for funnels. I keep a drainpan, the funnels, and a 5 gallon restaraunt cookong oil container (for used oil) in there.

Keeps the mess out of the garage and the dirt out of the "tools".

Best $39.95 (or whatever) I ever spent.

Alan

KrisKustomPaint · Feb 14, 2011

I was going to suggest a scaled down version of AMCguy's rig. Same idea but with a 5 gal bucket with a drip pan above it so you can let your filters and pans drain out.

59 wagon man · Feb 14, 2011

trbomax said:
I just drain mine into the floor trench drain,then hose down the area.

i hope you are kidding otherwise that is very damaging to our water supplies and you should seriousely change that habit

wickedsled · Feb 15, 2011

old oil is stored in a 5gal water jug then goes to the recyclers every four changes, supplys are shoved under a bench.

rwhite692 · Feb 15, 2011

scott37300 said:
You think everyone with the nice clean garages changes their own oil? They take it to the quick lube and keep the garage clean.

Well, maybe some do....

LEVE · Feb 15, 2011

I usually keep 3 gal of 5w-30 on the shelf s well as three filters on the shelf for oil changes. I also have a couple of filters and gallon of oil in my service cart. I learned a year, or so, ago.. that shortages can happen; now I have a small inventory. :thumbup:

I drain the oil into a container and then re-fill other containers with the waste oil. Cardboard is laid under the car (on ramps) to do the job. It keeps the floor clean; I recycle the cardboard later.

For waste oil containers I use the old one gallon container, old laundry detergent containers or COSTCO square milk containers. These are put on a shelf and don't occupy much room. When I can't stand them there anymore, I drive 30 miles to the recycle center and drop 'em off.

Falcon67 · Feb 15, 2011

I change the oil in the race cars and dump it at the recycle bin at the track. The pickups go to the dealer for service. That means I change oil twice a year for a total of 32 quarts and 4 filters. It's not legal in TX to throw the filters in the trash, but there are no local recycle facilities.

I use a big pan and put the waste oil in used antifreeze containers. Used oil also makes a great weed killer and a decent termite/wood ant barrier for your wooden fence.

AMCguy · Feb 15, 2011

In most areas a used oil filter is hazardous waste. A crushed filter however, is considered scrap steel.

trbomax · Feb 15, 2011

59 wagon man said:
i hope you are kidding otherwise that is very damaging to our water supplies and you should seriousely change that habit

I was. Just wanted to see how long it would take for some one to pick up on it ! I even have an oil separater on my floor drain before it goes to the tank/field.

justbummin1 · Feb 16, 2011

trbomax - I assumed you were kidding also but I work for a company that manufactures oil/water separators trench/floor drains and you would not believe how many times I have seen exactly what you said happen. Hopefully the old days of pulling the plug in your gravel driveway are over but some people just dont get it. FYI Autozone and most other parts stores take your used oil for free if you dont want to wait/look for a collection day put on by a city or county.

Rob

pearlsnap · Feb 17, 2011

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the replies.

Looks like I just need to stop being lazy and wipe everything clean so I can store it somewhere. The only thing left for me to do is find somewhere to dispose of the old oil and filter.

Robbo · Feb 18, 2011

Don't know how to link to single posts... so you'll have to look through this thread below to find them.

I think post #44 and #216 have some good ideas you could modify to whatever containers you are using.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39367

:beer:

Rob

LWW · Feb 18, 2011

To save you some trouble: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=711167&postcount=44

And my personal favorite: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1131387&postcount=216

brownbagg · Feb 18, 2011

I had one of them harbor freight oil barrel, the red plastic one that sell for $80. it work good for the first couple years, and then the Uv light outside rotted it out. I still use the stem funnel and a five gallon bucket with lid. I alway like putting the old oil in the orignal container, easier to deposes of it

z28toz06 · Feb 18, 2011

LWW said:
To save you some trouble: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=711167&postcount=44

And my personal favorite: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1131387&postcount=216

Hey that's my garage!

I'm thinking about cutting the middle of the main pipe and sending the first three bays to a "clean oil" bucket so I can use it for lubricating stuff. The other side I'll keep as is and make it for waste oil only.

some zilch · Feb 18, 2011

my detroit diesel powered genset runs great on all the used motor oil i can give it.........

nate379 · Feb 18, 2011

As far as I'm concerned a clean shop or garage means no work is being done there. Not a place I would do business at.

Now there is a difference between neat/upkept and a pig sty of course!

ovilla · Feb 19, 2011

I I have an oil catch can that comes with a lid. I don't ever clean it out - just put the lid back on after I'm done with it. Anyway, all of the used oil gets put in 1 gallon milk containers and is taken to Autozone right away since I typically change the oil from all of my cars on the same one weekend (that's 4-5 cars on avg).

GirlnAgarage · Feb 19, 2011

pearlsnap said:
I just wanted to thank everyone for all the replies.

Looks like I just need to stop being lazy and wipe everything clean so I can store it somewhere. The only thing left for me to do is find somewhere to dispose of the old oil and filter.

That's pretty much it.

I don't use a drain pan to change my oil (3gal). I use an oil drain valve on the pan and drain straight into the oil empty jugs from the previous oil change. New oil is put in and those jugs go on the shelf for the next oil change. Old full jugs get taken to AutoZone or Oreilly's to their oil dump (free)and the jugs get tossed.

For the oil funnel, if its used, give it a wipe down and spin a papertowel into a point and stick it into the hole. I put it on the shelf with my empty jugs.

scott37300 · Feb 19, 2011

z28toz06 said:
Hey that's my garage!

I'm thinking about cutting the middle of the main pipe and sending the first three bays to a "clean oil" bucket so I can use it for lubricating stuff. The other side I'll keep as is and make it for waste oil only.

Nice setup!!! I like the drain pan storage. I've been wanting to make a PVC setup like yours for a while now. Just don't have the time or wall space right now so will have to do some creative thinking.

I had seen the other guys setup but not yours, thanks for posting.

night4creeper · Feb 19, 2011

Falcon67 said:
I change the oil in the race cars and dump it at the recycle bin at the track. The pickups go to the dealer for service. That means I change oil twice a year for a total of 32 quarts and 4 filters. It's not legal in TX to throw the filters in the trash, but there are no local recycle facilities.

I use a big pan and put the waste oil in used antifreeze containers. Used oil also makes a great weed killer and a decent termite/wood ant barrier for your wooden fence.

The Napa store in Sweetwater will take them. They have a crusher and a large oil tank in the back room. :beer:

AMCguy · Feb 19, 2011

I've heard several mention they throw the empties away. Is there no recycling in your area?

We have a depot in every shopping mall parking lot around here. They take cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper, glass and every type of plastic including oil bottles and antifreeze jugs. They just ask that you get all the product out first.

I'm not beating up on anybody. It's not your fault if no facilities exist. I'm just wondering what some of you do with your empties?

some zilch · Feb 19, 2011

AMCguy said:
I've heard several mention they throw the empties away. Is there no recycling in your area?

We have a depot in every shopping mall parking lot around here. They take cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper, glass and every type of plastic including oil bottles and antifreeze jugs. They just ask that you get all the product out first.

I'm not beating up on anybody. It's not your fault if no facilities exist. I'm just wondering what some of you do with your empties?

i burn mine, there are no recycle facilities in my county, and no available recycle/garbage pickup. i couldnt be bothered to haul recycle-ables around to mall parking lots. does recycling really need to be THAT difficult??

e-tek · Mar 17, 2011

some zilch said:
i burn mine, there are no recycle facilities in my county, and no available recycle/garbage pickup. i couldnt be bothered to haul recycle-ables around to mall parking lots. does recycling really need to be THAT difficult??

Eco-terrorist and loving it!!! You go Guy!!!! :beer:

To GirlnAGarage- Takes a WOMAN to show us how a little tap on the oil pan can solve 100 issues!! Great idea - did you make it, or buy it?

GirlnAgarage · Mar 18, 2011

e-tek said:
Eco-terrorist and loving it!!! You go Guy!!!!

To GirlnAGarage- Takes a WOMAN to show us how a little tap on the oil pan can solve 100 issues!! Great idea - did you make it, or buy it?

Purchased the drain valve. That particular one is the Fumoto drain valve (part 104-N to fit my Ram). I believe there are several brands and styles available on the market. And before the next guy has to automatically disagree just to be on the opposite side of things, yes there are pros and cons for a valve that extends from the bottom of the oil pan. Each user can make up his or her own mind if it'll work for in their application or not.

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