Clean your tools!

[Appleyard]

I've got some down time this afternoon at work so I'm reorganizing my tool box and looking at my dirty tools. I want to clean them, but I usually use carb spray which is causing the beautiful colors to fade. Any tips, GJ? Any products you'd recommend?

 

[rapyoke]

I use brake cleaner for metals, goo gone for plastics.

Brake cleaner works extremely well on my soft-handle ratchets and screwdrivers, but it does rub the logos and anything else that's printed on there. It will dissolve your clear handled screwdrivers (don't ask me how I know ), so obviously you'd want to test on any plastic before use.

 

[Hiball]

I normally just wipe my tools down with a shop rag when im done, I dont completely strip the tool of all oils using chemicals because this will cause more problems down the road. I do occasionally field strip my ratchets and Re-oil them to keep them in good working order.

 

[Bull]

Two words: Ultrasonic cleaner

 

[Skyline]

Ronsonol lighter fluid is a GREAT tool cleaner. Very delicate, yet still quite effective. For impact sockets I use WD40. For soiled plastic tool cases, I will use brake cleaner, but you don't want to get this stuff on any printed labels. If I have a greasy socket, I will clean that out with brake cleaner as well.

 

[pacsguy]

Two words: Ultrasonic cleaner

any particular one you recommend?

 

[wafrederick]

Hot soapy water works too and did this to a set of Matco screwdrivers I bought on Ebay missing 2 screwdrivers.The handles were grubby and cleaned up with elbow grease very well.Let the tools soak if you do this.Brake clean works well if coated with ATF.Watch out with brake clean,can ruin some screwdriver handles and Craftsman screwdriver handles do this.

 

[jeffk14]

Spread 'em out, shoot 'em down with WD-40, wipe 'em off and put 'em away. Quick, easy, gentle on plastic/rubber, works good.

 

[Dallus]

I use brake cleaner for metals, goo gone for plastics.

Brake cleaner works extremely well on my soft-handle ratchets and screwdrivers, but it does rub the logos and anything else that's printed on there. It will dissolve your clear handled screwdrivers (don't ask me how I know ), so obviously you'd want to test on any plastic before use.

+1

For plastic handles I usually use some Simple Green full strength. Seems to work well for me. I love the handles, hate the cleaning!

 

[Zrexxer]

Spread 'em out, shoot 'em down with WD-40, wipe 'em off and put 'em away. Quick, easy, gentle on plastic/rubber, works good.

^^^ This.

WD dissolves grease well, won't hurt the plastic, is easy on your hands, and smells nice. Always kept a can in the box when I was working on diesel tractors years ago, made for a quick cleanup at the end of the day. When things were really grimy they went in the parts washer, but it had been so long since they changed our parts washer fluid it was mostly oil and dirt.

 

[ReiKo]

Spread 'em out, shoot 'em down with WD-40, wipe 'em off and put 'em away. Quick, easy, gentle on plastic/rubber, works good.

Same here...

 

[wafrederick]

Matco's screwdriver handles can stand up to brake clean.Tried it once and never harmed the handle,takes the ink off.

 

[89GLH]

^^^ This.

WD dissolves grease well, won't hurt the plastic, is easy on your hands, and smells nice. Always kept a can in the box when I was working on diesel tractors years ago, made for a quick cleanup at the end of the day. When things were really grimy they went in the parts washer, but it had been so long since they changed our parts washer fluid it was mostly oil and dirt.

My father used to use this as air freshener in the garage when he was 'fragrant.'

 

[amolaver]

^^^ This.

WD dissolves grease well, won't hurt the plastic, is easy on your hands, and smells nice. Always kept a can in the box when I was working on diesel tractors years ago, made for a quick cleanup at the end of the day. When things were really grimy they went in the parts washer, but it had been so long since they changed our parts washer fluid it was mostly oil and dirt.

+1 - WD40 isn't very good for much else, but it makes a GREAT cleaner. even use it to clean the accumulated muck off of wheels (brake dust, chain lube, etc).

ahm

 

[Bull]

any particular one you recommend?

Look at the ones by Crest. That's what I have. They are well made, though I am not positive they are USA made. I think they are, but I have not looked for a sticker.

The great thing about them is that they clean the pores (or small crevices) of metal and plastic like nothing else is going to. Metal gleams when you are through.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Carb cleaner messes up the handles of Craftsman screwdrivers. Found out the hard way. Oh well, a trip to Sears and I have a bunch of new screwdrivers !

 

[diesel research]

throw them in the parts cleaner.

 

[Appleyard]

Matco's screwdriver handles can stand up to brake clean.Tried it once and never harmed the handle,takes the ink off.

That's one of the tools I was most concerned about. lol they're a little grubby now.

Brand new
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=244zep1" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.tinypic.com/244zep1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

Two weeks later...
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=29nv4lg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i53.tinypic.com/29nv4lg.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

I just dont want them to get as faded as my Matco 88 tooth ratchet did from using carb spray
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=64nhvn" target="_blank"><img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/64nhvn.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

Thanks for the suggestions though. I'll have to try WD40 tomorrow since theres plenty at the shop.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Another WD-40 user here. I buy it in gallon jugs and use it in a spray bottle. It's about the only thing I have found it useful for.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

WD-40 or Simple Green.

 

[MrMark]

WD-40 is the safest solvent out there and it works well on those handles. About all it is good for is cleaning, imo . . . Strong solvents like brake clean and/or carb clean will cause damage to many plastics, especially if allowed to dwell, and that Witte writing will definitely be removed.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Hot soapy water works too

Try this first, it's simple and easy. I use dish soap as it cuts grease well. People always try to make these things so complicated.

 

[bobcatdan]

I leave the protective layer of grime on, it protechs the finish.

 

[csargents1546]

WD 40 work great, bought a pair of SO channel locks, handles where grease black. Used wd 40 almost look brand new. I picked up 10 cans of wd 40 last year on clearance at HD for 25 cents a can. I think the 10 0z size.

 

[Gregg33]

For anything rubber use silicone spray. Believe it or not it doesn't leave handles and the like too slippery to use. For everything else use WD40. However just about any solvent/ chemical will take the writing off of screw driver handles. In areas with painted on writing either try to wipe them gently with a dry rag or just dap them with whatever chemical you are using to clean them.

Also, I've never used it on tools, but I found Spray9 takes off lots of grime, but is gentle enough to use on dashboards.

 

[therealwormey]

honda bright

 

[Frank-D-Tank]

+1 on the WD-40

 

[psychoclaw84]

I have the same problems with those Matco Screwdrivers. I use brake cleaner and the writing is starting to fade, but the green sections and flocking come out very clean.

Never tried WD-40 because of the slippery residue, maybe I'll start using WD-40.