cleaning power tools?

[Blt2Lst]

Spray Nine® Heavy Duty Cleaner 32 oz - Spray Nine®

Spray Nine’s Heavy-Duty Cleaning, Degreasing and Disinfecting action tackles the toughest grease, grime, stains and bacteria where others fail. Spray Nine’s

www.spraynine.com

This stuff works really well and is good to have around for those tough cleaning jobs.

 

[toolenthusiast]

No one’s said diesel yet? On GJ someone always says diesel. Stripping wax off your car? Diesel. Baby shampoo? Diesel. Aftershave? Diesel.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Brake cleaner. Takes off all the grime, dirt, grease, etc. Whatever it doesn't take off stays on the tool. The tools are for use, not display.

 

[DHCrocks]

I use crocodile wipes from Home Depot. They work great and are super tough and don't fall apart. Its also gentle on the skin and I use it to clean myself up including my face.

 

[BTL-A4]

I've used Simple Green. I dilute it, then spray it on a rag, and wipe the tool with it. Rub/scrub hard to get the stubborn stuff off.

I've also used dish soap the same way. Start with mild cleaner, then go up.

I use my tools for metal work, automotive, around the house and for woodworking. I like to keep them clean-ish so crud doesn't contaminate anything.

 

[Houdini5150]

Tub o Towels... I wipe my tools down with one after I use them.

 

[Kuma601]

I use Dawn dish detergent or one of the ZEP degreasers diluted more. Some of the tools the plastic or handles are discolored from past use with various chemicals used.

 

[jonesg]

I don't bother cleaning them, no time, just keep going.

 

[speed88]

Tub o Towels gets my vote. Works great for cleaning and is safe on your skin.

 

[neophyte]

Tub o Towels gets my vote. Works great for cleaning and is safe on your skin.

I might purchase a tub to test.
That said, permanent marker like Sharpie just removes easily with denatured alcohol, because the markers are supposedly shellac based.

 

[pizzabooty]

thanks everybody for the answers, i didn't expect to see this many replies! i'll definitely be trying out alcohol first, since i have that on hand already. wd40 is a consideration, only because i'm curious. tub o' towels sounds like the way to go, if i have to buy something.

Brake cleaner. Takes off all the grime, dirt, grease, etc. Whatever it doesn't take off stays on the tool. The tools are for use, not display.

brake cleaner fucks up plastic and rubber, i've already found this out after trying it lol. tools are for use, sure, but i love my tools looking pretty. wipe-downs of all my chrome tools that i use as well as my screwdrivers and knipex handles. that was actually one of my points of contention with soft-grip ratchets, that they'll get dirty over time, but i've quickly learned to love them.

 

[Al Borland]

There's an Epsilon Semi-****** working in our warehouse that soaks power tools in soapy water. Literally holds tools by the cords and dunks them in a barrel of soapy water. Rumor has it that he keeps his job because he has pictures of the owners/managers doing unspeakable things to farm animals...


*Thanks, Ms. Byers for making us read Aldous Huxley's "Brave new World".

 

[gilbo]

Best thing I found is this, I wasn't a believer til I saw it, clean tools to almost new. Also smells decent

Houdini Lock Lubricant

 

[E.T.]

I’ve always used Clorox wipes but tub o towels may be similar. Gojo would work well too but seems better suited for a deep clean process. Not sure about diluted simple green or WD40? Definitely DO NOT use brake cleaner on plastic