Which basic chemicals should I have in my auto garage?

[Scotland]

Acetone has all kinds of uses. It de-gums metal parts from petroleum products, degreases, also dissolves various types of rtv, petroleum-based and rubber sealants. It thins/dissolves various types of paint, and is an excellent surface prep agent before painting. It also is a fantastic hand cleaner after getting petroleum-based grease or oils on your hands.

The best part, though, is that aside from fairly strong fumes that are not pleasant to inhale, acetone is one of the most environmentally friendly and non-toxic solvents you can use. You can scrub your hands submerged in it, without concern. It feels really cold, because it evaporates very quickly.

It will also explode if sparked. Use with caution in a well ventilated area. I worked at a plant that used Acetone to clean industrial drums...two crispy critter workers later and we quit using that stuff (may they RIP). A welding torch sparked it off. Switched d-limonene because of the higher flash point going forward.

 

[krux]

Mineral spirts, brake cleaner, lituim grease

 

[Thumper68]

I would add TSP (tri sodium phosaphate), Spray chain lube and if you have any belt driven equipment a can of belt dressing

A few shop items that I never see mentioned are Alum foil, butcher paper, wax paper and cling wrap, all very useful for masking and surface protection.

The heavy duty alum foil also makes great custom drip pans and in a pinch can be used as heat shield.

 

[Finky198]

• Penetrating oil (I'll let others fight over this, but PB Blaster is pretty good)
• WD40 - a good general light oil and cleaner
• Spray carb cleaner *
• Non-chlorinated brake cleaner *
• Old fashioned oil can with motor oil
• Spray silicone
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Mineral spirits
• Silicone dielectric grease (good as a silicone grease on rubber seals)
• White lithium grease
• Molybdenum chassis grease with grease gun
• Wheel bearing grease
• Midget grease gun load with wheel bearing grease (you need 2 if you have a bot, the second one loaded withe water resistant grease)

* these can remove some paint

Big +100 for ATF and Acetone penetrant we also have PB, WD-40 and kroil but our a penetrate is most used in the shop ATF Mix (it is flammable tho)

I would say this is a pretty solid list. We also stock the following


Gunk or WD foaming Degreasser

Oil Eater concentrate Good on parts and in pressure washer

Simply green good as heaven duty machine and truck wash

Lacquer thinner

Specialty reducer for rust oleum

Paint thinner

MEK For paint prep and poison IV removal ( don't try this at home LOL)

Muriatic acid will clean and melt deposits on aluminum and steel

Parts washer concentrate from TSC stuff is fairly priced and works well

 

[Fedwrench]

Get a good sized box of baking soda.

You can use with water to clean battery terminal corrosion and you can also use it to put out fires from your chemicals.

Dielectric silicone. Many uses from spark plug boots to caliper slide pins.

How cold or hot does it get in your garage? Chemical shelf life varies with temperature extremes. Less is often more when storing flammable chemicals.

 

[Finky198]

On top of everything above

You have

Wire dryer, Sensor cleaner, graphite lube, Vaseline

RTV In ( red, blue, green, orange, black, ultra black, ultra grey, copper, white, clear) Indian head High tack And cork gasket shellac,

Loctite in ( red, blue, purple, clear, white )
Anti seize thread lube For big and small threads
Pipe dope W Teflon (3 wraps of tape and dope= no leaks)

Brake grease similar to anti seize with high heat and additives, Stop Squeak ( the pink stuff ) and quiet spray

Spray glass cleaner, car wash soap, 3m compounds

About 10 different hand cleaners dawn, pumice, laundry soap....

 

[Sprintman]

Ballistol

 

[PMD1966]

Rust stain remover. I used to wash cars with it that had foundry dust in the paint. Removed the rust and never harmed the paint. Works on almost anything with rust stains.

 

[organ]

 

[ngk22r]

Ballistol

Another vote for this stuff!!!

It was developed for firearms but has many other roles as well and automotive use is one of them!

 

[Gear Wolf]

If you plan on having any chemicals in appreciable quantity you may want to have a flammable cabinet and vent it. Along with this have the appropriate hand, body, eye, and respiration gear.

What everyone else said pretty much covers what you'd want.

 

[Sprintman]

Another vote for this stuff!!!

It was developed for firearms but has many other roles as well and automotive use is one of them!

114 years ago. German ingenuity at its best

 

[Tim37]

Just buy as you need.

Don't keep a bunch of chemicals on hand that you don't need or use.

 

[jonnymopar]

Just buy as you need.

Don't keep a bunch of chemicals on hand that you don't need or use.

^^^ This... to a degree. Now that I'm a father, the only time I get in the garage is after the little guy has gone to bed. It kinda ***** when you need something and realize it's 10:30PM and nothing's open. Gotta keep at least something around.

I don't have a huge arsenal of chemicals, but for basics:

-various grades of threadlocker
-brake cleaner
-penetrating oil (I won't recommend any brands since it's hotly debated)
-marvel's Mystery Oil
-electrical contact cleaner
-more brake cleaner
-at least one type of RTV
-silicone lube spray
-any basic chassis grease

And the most important things for the end of the night:

-pumice hand cleaner
-locally-brewed beer

 

[ttpete]

A quart can of xylene. It's the major ingredient in Goof-Off. It'll dissolve adhesives on most plastics without attacking the plastic.

A friend in the book business uses rubber cement thinner (heptane) to remove sticky labels and tags from books.

 

[mikester]

Wow, most of you guys have a lot of stuff listed ! I only keep a few things in my garage these days.
2 gallons of lacquer thinner
Multiple gallons of white wall cleaner (use it to clean many things)
Gallon of body shop grade wax and grease remover
Qt of denatured alcohol
Qt of Acetone
Couple of spray cans of contact cleaner
WD 40

I have other paint related chemicals in a wall cabinet but its stuff matched to different paints that I sometimes use.

 

[TJx]

Stabil

 

[Jmatlock88]

I attached some pictures of my chemical cabinet. Most of the items have been mentioned but I'll make a list of each shelf in order from left to right. Some of these do not directly apply directly to automotive, but I'm going to list them anyway. Also, some items repeat as I have some chemicals in two container types on purpose.

K&N Air Filter Oil
Lucas Rack and Pinion Stop Leak (meh)
Zep Penetrating Oil
Engine fogging oil for marine winterizing
T-9 Boeshield to protect and lubricate stationary metal tools
Garage door lubricant
Cable lubricant
Silicone lubricant
Air Tool Oil
Airless Sprayer Oil
Compressor Oil
2 types of anti seize
battery terminal cleaner
battery terminal protector
instant galvanize (meh)
Adhesion Promoter
Mold Release
Various Spray Adhesives

Engine assembly lube
Dielectric Grease
WD-40
Engine Oil in Oil Can
Teflon Lubricants
Silicone Lubricant
3-in-one oils
Paint Strippers
Adhesive Remover
Goof Off
Goo Gone
Caulk Remover
Navy Jelly
Evaporust
B-12 Chemtool (also, get a gallon of carb dip)
Brake Cleaners
Brake De-Squeek
Electronic Parts Cleaner
Brake Quiet

Hand Cleaner
Invisible Gloves
Bug Spray
Hand Creme
Sunscreen
Hand sanitizer
Starting Fluid
Belt Dressing
Torch Fuels
Elmers glue
Liquid tape
Contact Cement
Leather Repair
A/C, Engine Oil, Coolant Dyes
Teflon Thread Paste
Brake Cleaner
Throttle Body Cleaner
Black Silicone
Dielectric Grease
Hi-Tack
Copper Spray-a-Gasket
Gasket Remover

Various household adhesives
5 minute epoxy
Heavy duty epoxy
Super glue activator
Wood Glue
Tap Magic

Clay Bar
Foaming Degreasers
Glass Cleaner
Tuff Stuff (Carpet Cleaner)
Cutting Compounds
Waxes
Headlight Protectant
Wheel Cleaner
Paint Sealer
Tire Dressing

Acetone
WD-40
50/50 ATF Acetone Penetrating Oil
Isopropyl Alcohol
Tap Water
Febreze
Soap & Water
Spray Degreaser
Distilled Water
Homemade Bug Spray
Windex
(Empty spray bottle)


Laquer Thinner
Mineral Spirits
Acetone
Purple Degreaser
Windex
50/50 ATF Acetone Penetrating Oil
Iso Alcohol
Vinegar
Soap & Water
Degreaser
Brake Cleaner

Leather Conditioner
Interior Plastic Protectant
Tire Shine
Quick Paint Detailer
Wheel Cleaner
Car wash soap
Clay Lube

 

[Jmatlock88]

Also, here is a drawer you might find interesting.

Emblem adhesive
Special adhesives
Super Glue
Epoxy
Surface prep wipes
Shoe Goo
Various thread locking compounds
clear silicone
Brake Lubricant
Polyurethane Adhesive
Hardeners
Dielectric Grease
Various other items

 

[Jacobson]

Can someone review the differences/usages between:

• Acetone
• Mineral Spirits
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Lacquer Thinner
• Rubbing Alcohol

 

[M6erfan]

Lots of good stuff already, I'll throw in Gasgacinch, love that stuff...

 

[gauanh]

w40 is a must

 

[MagnumForce]

w40 is a must

Is that anything like WD40?

 

[Jacobson]

Is that anything like WD40?

Yea, but it doesn't displace water.

 

[Davi]

Can someone review the differences/usages between:

• Acetone
• Isopropyl Alcohol

Acetone isnt plastic safe where as IPA is for one thing.

 

[MagnumForce]

IPA's are delicious

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[90zcar]

IPA's are delicious

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I'm an oddball and hate ipa's


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