Which "tools in a bottle" can't you live without? and why..

[ihredo4]

Of all things I keep in my machinist box is a bottle of clear finger nail polish. If I get a cut on my finger I just grab the nail polish and close it right up and add a layer over the top. Another use is to seal paint into timing marks. On some of the cams I use you cant see the marks very well so I clean them real good and fill the groove with paint from a paint stick. If you use clear polish over this paint it will make the mark more visible and seal it onto the cam. Here is a picture of a cam that has the timing marks along the edge.

 

[MD11]

super glue, my favorite bandage

I once had a surgeon tell me that the stuff they use in operations is more or less identical to superglue.. works well

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I once had a surgeon tell me that the stuff they use in operations is more or less identical to superglue.. works well

It is pretty much the same. They call it "DermaBond".

 

[Griff93]

Zep formula 50 degreaser. This stuff is awesome. It will make old oil stained parts look new.

 

[dodgepolara500]

I once had a surgeon tell me that the stuff they use in operations is more or less identical to superglue.. works well

My friend's Black Lab cracked his head open. Instead of going to vet and getting stiches he pulled it together and held it tight with superglue. According to him, that we was why it was invented. Dog is fine, didn't wimper and no infection.

 

[fatfillup]

Free All

Brake clean

Diet Coke

 

[Jononon]

Zip kicker. A superglue activator, it sets it essentially instantly (although I wouldn't recommend trying this if the dog cracks its head open.)

It's not a garage 'tool', but nothing gets annoying stainless steel kitchen surfaces grease free and spotless like ammonia liquid.


The Straight Dope on superglue and Vietnam

 

[nate379]

Labatt Blue.

Working on something that just is ******* me off, I usually end up calling it quits for the night and kick back with a few. Seems to help me out.

 

[kharma]

Simple Green Max
PB Blaster
Knob Creek

 

[Here2Learn]

brake cleaner!!

 

[Joe69]

PB Blaster and brake cleaner, use them all the time.

Joe

 

[bgott]

http://www.hollanderproducts.com/b52.html

Y'all have named most of the goodies I use. I was just turned on to this stuff, B52 degreaser. I was really inpressed on how well it worked cleaning a greasy engine compartment with just a water hose with a spray attachment.

 

[MD11]

Guys, thanks for all the good info.. I've got quite a few new things to look at next time I'm at the hardware store.

Quick question to those who make a living wrenching...

Is there any time where you can ruin something (either electrical or mechanical) by putting WD40 or something similar (silicone spray, etc..) on or around it:

I ask because I'm trying to go thru my 2005 engine and clean around it... I wanted to use a power washer to do the engine bay and was hoping to give all the electrical connections a good soaking in WD40 before the wash.. Yes, no? your thoughts"

 

[ihredo4]

Guys, thanks for all the good info.. I've got quite a few new things to look at next time I'm at the hardware store.

Quick question to those who make a living wrenching...

Is there any time where you can ruin something (either electrical or mechanical) by putting WD40 or something similar (silicone spray, etc..) on or around it:

I ask because I'm trying to go thru my 2005 engine and clean around it... I wanted to use a power washer to do the engine bay and was hoping to give all the electrical connections a good soaking in WD40 before the wash.. Yes, no? your thoughts"

If you are going to use a pressure washer on the engine of your car I would make sure I got some heavy bags to cover the electrical components. Nothing good will come of blowing pressurized water into the electrical connections.

 

[torqueman2002]

PB Blaster
WD-40
Brake Klean
Simple Green
Alcohol - isopropyl
Lacquer Thinner

 

[MD11]

If you are going to use a pressure washer on the engine of your car I would make sure I got some heavy bags to cover the electrical components. Nothing good will come of blowing pressurized water into the electrical connections.

Right, I was thinking of the WD40 as insurance for just in case moisture gets on those connectors.. thanks.