How to clean plastic handle tools?

[turnthewrench]

Hello GJ'ers,

Do you mind sharing which cleaner you use for the plastic handles? I have a few HF Pro Ratchets, Ridgid Screwdrivers, Wilde Pry Bars, etc., and they look more black than red now.

I saw that video of the Snap on Junkie -- I do like some of his videos -- and he uses Citrol degreaser, but it seems kind of expensive to me. In the past I have used whatever is handy, like hand degreaser, diesel fuel + water (yes, indeed!), etc.

I just need something that cleans without messing up the surfaces - this side of the Snap on Junkie

Thanks!

 

[Dingleburry]

A drop of dawn, and grease is gone...
Or am i missing something here...?
I personally use MEK to clean EVERYTHING
It eats grease it eats paint it eats plastic it eats rubbers it eats printing and it burns like hell when you get it in cuts or scrapes on your hands. And it smells good.
Only thing i dont clean with it is electronic instruments.

Sometimes i use aersol foam cleaner.
Sometimes orange shop wipes
Or gojo scrubbing towels.

 

[notlob]

WD40, or if really grimy, Simple green @ 50% dilution.

 

[Moparman390]

I use WD-40. I used Breakcleen once, worked great but it started taking the white lettering off the handles on my red CM pry bars.

 

[ScottsGT]

I spray my tools down with Simple Green straight out of the spray bottle. Doesn't effect the M12 tool plastic either.

 

[zendigital]

I use a muti-purpose foam spray cleaner called Tuff Stuff, you can find it at most autopart stores and even at Dollar General where it's cheapest. I use it to clean all my tools.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

garage sale slow cooker with lots of dawn dish soap and water. What doesn't come off in the solution, wipes right off.

 

[JR 42]

Hot water + Dawn detergent + old toothbrush usually gets it done, sometimes followed with WD40 or paint thinner for stains and persistent gunk.

JR

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Hand cleaner

 

[wolf_from_wv]

warm water, dawn, and a fingernail brush.

 

[PMD1966]

My favorite cleaner is "Awesome". Buy it at the Dollar Store. $1.00 per 20oz. spray bottle.

 

[plinker]

Soft grip stuff gets either contact electrical cleaner or citrol, pretty much everything else gets brakekleen

 

[Bacon!]

Whatever is handy. If I already had WD-40 out, I might use a squirt of it. If I have gasoline out to parts wash, might use that, though not on things that have greased gears/mechanisms/etc that wouldn't like gas getting into the lube. Otherwise, Lestoil if I'm getting it out to wash my hands when work is done, or dish detergent if there's no Lestoil around.

 

[astroracer]

Simple Green, hand cleaner, Tuff Stuff, WD40, Dawn, etc., etc. They all work so take your pick...
Mark

 

[packet]

Ballistol for pretty much everything. It also protects against rust.

 

[Snakebyt]

brake cleaner usually

 

[JohnDeere1]

I use wd40 to clean mine it also makes them less sticky.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Dawn dish soap and water, followed by a light coat of WD-40

 

[mbshop]

That stuff is truly awesome. I use it for everything. I buy it by the jug. but normally I just use a clean rag.

My favorite cleaner is "Awesome". Buy it at the Dollar Store. $1.00 per 20oz. spray bottle.

 

[turnthewrench]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will p/u a gallon of Awesome and give it a try.

 

[Wamsutta]

I use hand cleaner. Either Fast Orange or white smooth GOJO.

If you're worried about scratching the handle with pumice, use the GOJO.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Citrus based (d-limonene) will eat some plastics.

+1 Dawn. I use it every where. Even wash dishes with it. TV commercial shows cleaning your baby ducks with it.

 

[Rick B.]

Dish washing liquid and Tide Liquid laundry detergent are excellent grease cutters.

Also, if you have a gas tank that needs welding on, pour in some Tide liquid, hot water and agitate it really good then rinse with hot water. One or two washouts will remove all the gas fumes making it safe to weld. I've used this method on at least 20 motorcycle tanks and haven't popped one yet.