LGMechanical
Well-known member
get a customers seat dirty enough times and youll be cool getting bitched at by the boss or even cooler looking for a new job. if someone said that to me id just straight up tell them to go f*ck themselves.
What do you use to clean your box?
- Thread starter Mugen AP1
- Start date
get a customers seat dirty enough times and youll be cool getting bitched at by the boss or even cooler looking for a new job. if someone said that to me id just straight up tell them to go f*ck themselves.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Some people prefer their toolboxes don't look like ***, and want to keep a professional image.
I use alcohol to clean it, if it's oily, glass cleaner otherwise.
Wow...
maybe so, but customers look down on the guys with crappy toolboxes.
Safety is being nerdy? Whatever.
the last non-nerd that decided not to use seat covers ended up costing the dealership a new seat for my pickup when they couldn't get the stain out completely. Techs that pull that **** are the exact reason I take pictures of the entire truck, inside and out, with a copy of that day's newspaper before I bring it in.
So far, new seat, new glove box, new steering wheel and radio trim. Seat was stained, rest was scratched up. "It was like that." "Bs buddy, here's the pictures." "Uh, oh, well, uh, I don't think I could have done it, I was uh...well..." Mmmhmmm, now run along and get your manager.
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pjcforpres2020
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2009
- Messages
- 262
I don't get co-workers with BS nerd comments like that... I am guessing they take very little pride in what they do? When I am working on a car, it isn't my car, it is a customers car, and respecting that simple fact means a lot to me. My job is to make it better, not worse, and that means not dirtying it up.
I won't lie or bs, I am not a polish my tools kind of guy, but there is nothing nerdy about taking care of a several thousand dollar investment. If you want to wax your box, wax your box! Personally, I don't care if it looks new, I just want to make sure it is taken care of. So I clean it, along with my tools, with the goal of not rusting, and so forth. I haven't waxed my box, and likely never will, and I am sure I will have a "dull" paint job down the road, but for me that isn't why I clean it. I clean it so it lasts for $2000 worth of time.
Most of all, anyone willing to go off and call people names like that shouldn't even get a second of meaningful attention from you. Co-workers or not, they are not friends, and their opinion means very little considering you are doing the right thing.
Being moral and ethical isn't about popular opinion, it is about being truthfully correct in your actions. Taking care of large investments is a truthfully correct action. Even if the OP question is a bit "n00bish", I think we can all agree that there is nothing wrong with wanting to take care of your tools, box, and so forth.
I won't lie or bs, I am not a polish my tools kind of guy, but there is nothing nerdy about taking care of a several thousand dollar investment. If you want to wax your box, wax your box! Personally, I don't care if it looks new, I just want to make sure it is taken care of. So I clean it, along with my tools, with the goal of not rusting, and so forth. I haven't waxed my box, and likely never will, and I am sure I will have a "dull" paint job down the road, but for me that isn't why I clean it. I clean it so it lasts for $2000 worth of time.
Most of all, anyone willing to go off and call people names like that shouldn't even get a second of meaningful attention from you. Co-workers or not, they are not friends, and their opinion means very little considering you are doing the right thing.
Being moral and ethical isn't about popular opinion, it is about being truthfully correct in your actions. Taking care of large investments is a truthfully correct action. Even if the OP question is a bit "n00bish", I think we can all agree that there is nothing wrong with wanting to take care of your tools, box, and so forth.
Merkava_4
Banned
I have my box waxed so all I have to do is wipe off the dust with a damp cloth once in awhile. I get a white towel soaking wet, and then I spin it out in the washer ... that makes a nice damp towel. 
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nate379
Banned
I'm not going to lie, I wiped mine down with Pledge today.
It's been sitting outside on my front porch for 4 months so it was a bit dirty.
It's been sitting outside on my front porch for 4 months so it was a bit dirty.
KraftwerkMk1Jetta
Well-known member
True about the looking like *** thing, but my point was more why do we need a thread on how to do something that really only requires common sense. I'm assuming the owner of a snap on box is familiar with plenty of shop chemicals and cleaning agents to choose the correct one and wipe down his toolbox with it on a rag. Hell, a rag alone would get most of it off anyway.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I would assume because they're worried about the finish, and what will keep it nicest the longest. Same reason we all know how to wax a car, but the detailer on here shows how to go above and beyond.
I've been asked repeatedly on here how I keep my soft grips clean, most people don't think of using alcohol...several have came back after and said it helped a lot.
I tried 3 different compounds to get the finish I wanted on my drawer handles...
cruiser808
Well-known member
Hey Nissan - I'm one of those guys. I was given a really nasty soft grip pick cause the guy hated them not being clean looking. I took your alcohol advice and it cleaned up like new. Now I'm a 1st generation soft grip convert.
HandyManny
Well-known member
Yup I agree. Simple Green is a great cleaner/degreaser. It's also pretty safe too. But I'm sure the safety of the cleaner matters little when you're exposed to hydraulic fluid on a daily basis.
Personally I've always just had good luck with wiping down the outer surface with a light blue shop towl. The kind that come in a roll. That's always been good enough for me. No way you can keep a totally clean setup when you are actually working and using your equipment. Has nothing to do with your stuff looking like *** as some here have been worried about.
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I usually go with simple green and a rag and wipe my boxes down. I make sure to clean all the tools I used that day and put them back in my chest in order for the next day, it's a very easy way to spot if your missing something. I am allergic to dust so I try and keep it to a minimum. I wear a dust mask when I am blowing out super dusty things.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
I spend ALL of my time keeping the CUSTOMER'S cars clean and making sure they are FIXED RIGHT THE FIRST TIME !!! OCD detailing my battered 25 year old snap on tool box takes a serious back seat to keeping my customer satisfaction scores high , making fun of the other guys keeps our workplace fun , and I take abuse as well as I dish it out ....
my top priority is of course profit and customer satisfaction
we also try to help each other out
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
customers are banned from the shop
keep out
my box looks great from our glassed in write up area
I had some meatball questioning the service writer about my oversized side cab
'what do you need that for ???'
HandyManny
Well-known member
I may make fun of people and comment on some silly stuff about people polishing their tools and delicately handling them, or even those who make their own little outfits and dresses for their ratchets. But overall I have no problem with agreeing with what you said here, nor will I ever give anyone a hard time for taking pride in their stuff or taking care of their equipment. Just as long as they realise that what they are using are tools. Tools are made to be use. That's all I've ever said.
As far as customers looking down on you because your tools are dirty and well used in appearance - well When I see a professional who uses tools I expect his/her tools to be well used and not brand new looking. When I see a professional with all new untouched tools I wonder just how much experience that pro really has or wonder if they are the real genuine article or just a wanabe passing themselves off as a pro. But I do agree that it is important to keep a clean and well organized shop.
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Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
If i spent thousands on a nice new box i wouldn't wax it but i'd keep it clean. No different for a car.
I've seen a ramp fail with a guy standing under it. He didn't use the locks. I'd rather be called a "nerd" than be crushed by a car.
Common courtesy. I don't particularly like my boss. But i still say good morning to him. I also say thank you when he pays me.
Learned the hard way about that. Rather be called a nerd than pay for a new seat or spend hours not getting paid to clean someone's seat.
Don't have them over here. Wouldn't bother me to have one. Better than being called "Oy" i guess.
greenreese
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 133
I have the most organized box in the shop, keep all the cutting tools oiled and such, and I wipe off the dust on the top every once in a while. But polishing it, or waxing it? "I tried 3 different compounds to get the finish I wanted on my drawer handles.." No way.
I use alcohol daily and it is an amazing cleaner, but I like my soft handles dirty. They feel too smooth and slippery when new or clean. Plus, I would have to clean them after every time I used them. What's the point?
HandyManny
Well-known member
Moose-Landtran,
Don't worry about being called a nerd. You're not. Every job should have a level of professionalism to it. Every employee should bring a level of professionalism to their job. I know cutomers who will only take their vehicles to a professional be repaired. What I mean is to someone that is not only is an excellent mechanic, but also is professional. That includes how you deal with and are seen by your customers. Sad to see that there is a ceratin level of professionalism and courtesy that gets lost among certain types of people. Let them. You'll look good because you are good and in part because they look bad.
Don't worry about being called a nerd. You're not. Every job should have a level of professionalism to it. Every employee should bring a level of professionalism to their job. I know cutomers who will only take their vehicles to a professional be repaired. What I mean is to someone that is not only is an excellent mechanic, but also is professional. That includes how you deal with and are seen by your customers. Sad to see that there is a ceratin level of professionalism and courtesy that gets lost among certain types of people. Let them. You'll look good because you are good and in part because they look bad.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I'm not bothered by it. I've been called worse, even today. Doesn't bother me, i don't live or work to make other people (except friends + family) happy. I do my job as i see fit. If that's seen as "nerdish" people can take their cars elsewhere. I like my box reasonably clean, the cars on the ramp sitting on locks, courtesy, clean seats and people to be able to address me properly.
I can't see a customer being impressed by an unidentified untidy mechanic who makes cars dirty and then gets crushed under them when they fall off the ramp.. Not great for repeat business!
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Different standards where I work. "wiping off the dust every once in a while" would result in the supervisor telling you to get your act together.
In fact, they're looking at providing toolboxes right now, because some people keep using beat up ones, and it's not acceptable to the company. those people are going to make the rest of the mechanics mad when they have to use company provided boxes.
As for the three compounds, that was on my homebox, and I did it to get the shine off the handles since it was new, one time deal.
I clean my tools every time I use them. I paid enough for them, I plan on taking care of them. Funny how the guys that talk about how quickly soft grips get ruined, don't take care of them. *shrug* Not only that, it's expected where I work. Hell, they give you 30 minutes to clean up your area and your tools at the end of the day.
We're expected to keep a professional image. No uniform, don't even bother showing up. Tear off your nametag, you might be told to go home, and/or written up. Tuck your shirt in, and if it's wrinkled, you'll probbly be talked to about it (usually lax on this on my shift). Keep your box and tools clean. keep your area clean. All air hoses, power cords, equipment, get put away at the end of your shift. When the plane shows up, first thing is covering seats and carpet.
We have customers dropping probably an average well into six digits when they're there. Customers leaving with a tab over $1,000,000 isn't unusual at all. They expect more, and we provide more. Customers spending this kind of money won't accept an unprofessional appearance.
WSMC633
Well-known member
Well Back on Subject.
Once a Week I empty my Entire Tool Box. Then I roll it out into the Driveway
First I wash Using meguiars Gold Class Car wash, with a high Quality Micro-Fiber Wash Mit. Then I gently Try using a Micro-Fiber Drying Towel from Griots.
Once Every 2 Months
I give it the Clay Bar Treatment. Once that is complete I move onto a 3 step Polishing regimen with the RO Buffer.
It's not complete until I finish off with some Zymol.
http://www.zymol.com/zymolroyaleglaze44oz.aspx
Really leaves a nice shine.
Of course I have to move onto the Casters then. Once they are polished and the rolling surface conditioned, I lay out the Red carpet and carefully push it back into place. The carpet keeps the casters clean on our way back into the Garage.
Or Maybe I just wipe it down with some Simple green on a rag or Citrus cleaner on a rag every few days when it starts looking kind of Dirty.
Once a Week I empty my Entire Tool Box. Then I roll it out into the Driveway
First I wash Using meguiars Gold Class Car wash, with a high Quality Micro-Fiber Wash Mit. Then I gently Try using a Micro-Fiber Drying Towel from Griots.
Once Every 2 Months
I give it the Clay Bar Treatment. Once that is complete I move onto a 3 step Polishing regimen with the RO Buffer.
It's not complete until I finish off with some Zymol.
http://www.zymol.com/zymolroyaleglaze44oz.aspx
Really leaves a nice shine.
Of course I have to move onto the Casters then. Once they are polished and the rolling surface conditioned, I lay out the Red carpet and carefully push it back into place. The carpet keeps the casters clean on our way back into the Garage.
Or Maybe I just wipe it down with some Simple green on a rag or Citrus cleaner on a rag every few days when it starts looking kind of Dirty.
greenreese
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 133
Ah, I didn't know it was required of you.
Dust
Well-known member
I use Mopar Total Clean, because I get it for free and it works great, and sometimes a quick spritz of throttle body cleaner on a rag to get some serious grease marks off.
Last place I worked for was a dump, tools and stuff all over the place air hoses dragging on the floor. I swear we went through about 600 feet of it a year since idiots in the shop would drive bulldozers over it. Sweeping was done about once a month (you could take a 930 loader and fill the bucket up with the dust and dirt we had in the shop nothing was kept clean. They got cheap enough at work that they stopped dealing with Cintas and we had to buy our own coveralls.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
even if it wasn't, I would still do it. I've walked out of repair shops after looking at their equipment. When the brake lathe is 2' deep in shavings, oil is all over the drain buckets for the lift, the boxes have 2" of grease on them, and there's an inch of dirt on the floor...no way in hell they get to touch my vehicle.
olds88
Well-known member
WD 40+shop rag
The Muffin Man
Well-known member
I use diluted car wash detergent in a squirt bottle.
jdcompman
Well-known member
I was readying this and I was about to say WTF there is no way in hell anyone would do that.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
use my old line
I get paid to fix cars NOT BE THE CLEANING LADY
you want the place cleaned up -you do it
or I want shop cleaning time on my flag sheet
I get paid to fix cars NOT BE THE CLEANING LADY
you want the place cleaned up -you do it
or I want shop cleaning time on my flag sheet
pjcforpres2020
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2009
- Messages
- 262
Wow! Didn't mean to start anything, maybe I took the list of 'nerd' comments to seriously?
Anyways, every shop is different. Mine is a lot like nissan crawlers, we HAVE to keep our stations CLEAN! I won't say it is clean as a million dollar race shop, but there is no clutter, dust, dirt, even oil stains are forbidden and must be cleaned up. We have a cleaning checklist when we get done with a car before we can go on to the next one.
And every car that comes in gets a detail job as a courtesy. Yes, we charge more than other shops in town per hour, but we provide a premium service I guess you could say. Waiting room is set far away, so no shop noises, has a cable TV, and seperate room for kids with another TV and DVD player with different kids movies available, there are toys, legos!
We aren't required to wax our boxes, but we are required to keep them clean and in order, along with out work stations. Last task of the day is to fill 3 buckets, 1 with soapy water, 1 with diluted degreaser, and 1 with warm water to clean off any left over chemicals. You do the degreaser first, soapy water comes next, and follow with warm water. Once a week you are required to use stainless steal cleaner on your workstations stainless tops. And every night you have to wipe down your box. The manager doesn't go around with a whip and white glove, but if you just leave and your station is covered in grease and grime from the day, expect to hear about it the next morning.
Anyways, every shop is different. Mine is a lot like nissan crawlers, we HAVE to keep our stations CLEAN! I won't say it is clean as a million dollar race shop, but there is no clutter, dust, dirt, even oil stains are forbidden and must be cleaned up. We have a cleaning checklist when we get done with a car before we can go on to the next one.
And every car that comes in gets a detail job as a courtesy. Yes, we charge more than other shops in town per hour, but we provide a premium service I guess you could say. Waiting room is set far away, so no shop noises, has a cable TV, and seperate room for kids with another TV and DVD player with different kids movies available, there are toys, legos!
We aren't required to wax our boxes, but we are required to keep them clean and in order, along with out work stations. Last task of the day is to fill 3 buckets, 1 with soapy water, 1 with diluted degreaser, and 1 with warm water to clean off any left over chemicals. You do the degreaser first, soapy water comes next, and follow with warm water. Once a week you are required to use stainless steal cleaner on your workstations stainless tops. And every night you have to wipe down your box. The manager doesn't go around with a whip and white glove, but if you just leave and your station is covered in grease and grime from the day, expect to hear about it the next morning.
pjcforpres2020
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2009
- Messages
- 262
We get paid extra at my shop over other shops in the area by about $5 an hour over what the dealers pay. And when you sign on at the shop, you know that part of the job description is keeping your area clean.
I have a good friend that works at another shop in town that doesn't have any cleaning code, and it shows. They do some of the best work in town, though. I actually always took my car to his shop when I didn't have the means to do it myself, and recommend friends to his shop all the time. But they charge less than most every shop in town, even though they do some of the best work.
You forgot dirty,musty tech, cause why clean yourself if your not getting paid for it
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I keep the shop clean becaue i don't like working in ****, not because i get paid to do it.
HandyManny
Well-known member
There is the extream of fetishly buffing - polishing - waxing your equipment. And, there is the reasonable professional way of keeping your tools, tool storage, and work area clean - organized - and straightend out. Huge difference between the two. There is a huge difference bewteen being a "cleaning crew" and being the techs who keep the shop in order of their own accord. I think most folk will know the difference between the two extreams.
In the end you still have your primary job to do, so you can't get hung up and obsessed with always wiping off every little fingerprint smudge from all your equipment everytime it's touched.
Equipment gets used and dirty. Equipment needs to be wiped down and clean-off once in a while if not at the end of the day. Customers will take note of this stuff, be it consciously or subconsciously. When I worked in the business I always expected my customers to expect me to have repect and high regard for the customers stuff. Didn't matter if that customer was an individual person, or a corporation. First impressions count when you want business.
You don't have to be a pretty-boy, with smooth pretty skin, white pearly teeth, polished and clean finger nails and polished boots, and all brand new looking tools. If you are, then I really begin to question if you are the real deal or not. The best impression the customer will have is from how well and how right you repaired their car, airplane, heater, toilet, applianace, etc depending on your trade.
But before the customer gets to experience that, all they have to go on is your reputation or your professional appearance and demenor. Therefore it really behooves you to be clean shaven, shirt tucked in, hair that's not messy, and good tools in good working order. My buddies son just started doing an apprenticship with a master plumer. The master plumber he's working with has made it super clear that he expects clean outfit, clipped finger nails, clean-cut hair style, clean shaven, minimal tatoos, polite manners and common courtesy. He explained that they have to go into people residence to work and nobody wants someone in their home who looks and acts like a loser-thug who was just released from the state penetentury.
In the end you still have your primary job to do, so you can't get hung up and obsessed with always wiping off every little fingerprint smudge from all your equipment everytime it's touched.
Equipment gets used and dirty. Equipment needs to be wiped down and clean-off once in a while if not at the end of the day. Customers will take note of this stuff, be it consciously or subconsciously. When I worked in the business I always expected my customers to expect me to have repect and high regard for the customers stuff. Didn't matter if that customer was an individual person, or a corporation. First impressions count when you want business.
You don't have to be a pretty-boy, with smooth pretty skin, white pearly teeth, polished and clean finger nails and polished boots, and all brand new looking tools. If you are, then I really begin to question if you are the real deal or not. The best impression the customer will have is from how well and how right you repaired their car, airplane, heater, toilet, applianace, etc depending on your trade.
But before the customer gets to experience that, all they have to go on is your reputation or your professional appearance and demenor. Therefore it really behooves you to be clean shaven, shirt tucked in, hair that's not messy, and good tools in good working order. My buddies son just started doing an apprenticship with a master plumer. The master plumber he's working with has made it super clear that he expects clean outfit, clipped finger nails, clean-cut hair style, clean shaven, minimal tatoos, polite manners and common courtesy. He explained that they have to go into people residence to work and nobody wants someone in their home who looks and acts like a loser-thug who was just released from the state penetentury.
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