hand cleaner

[tahoe healey]

This may not be the place to post this but I respect the opinions I get here. Anyway, I just replaced all the 40 year old bushings at the rear end of my car and of course I was elbow deep in oil and dirt. I started with latex gloves but they don't last. Three days later my hands are still kind of black. I used standard orange cleaners but they dont get into; the cracks. What do you all use? By the way,it really stiffened the ride and steering (a good thing).

 

[Cottontop]

I use GoJo with PUMICE (light green goop). I keep a tub of it and a cheep nail scrub brush in the shower and clean every morning as necessary.

Lather up your hands with the stuff, then use the nail brush to scrub your hands and nails in ALL directions. Don't just scrub your nails. Brush your knuckles and hands too.

Finally rinse with water that is as warm as you can stand. I use the shower because the hot spray helps get into the skin folds and nail beds.

This process usually takes a couple of days.

It works for me.

 

[BACLVBob]

When I run out of the Orange goop - and the wife is'nt looking - if you grab a handfull of washing powder - you know that stuff you have to carry home when you get tricked going to the store - and dish washing liquid - that removes anything! Dont breath to deep 'cause the ammonia will get you happy - and you will know how many cuts you have in your hands. I dont recommend using the curtains or the pet to dry your hands though.

 

[John Loftus]

I use the latex gloves most of the time ... just need to change them often when working with grimy parts. Also there is a lotion called "hand shield" that you apply before you work which protects the hands. I have found that it gets down in the cracks of the skin and under the fingernails which keeps the grease out. When you go to clean up, it is much easier to get the hands clean. For cleaning I use the orange goop with a scrub brush if necessary.

Cheers,
John

 

[JamesWilson]

I can reinforce the earlier comments.

I first use a protective barrier cream, the local Auto Parts supplier can provide it.

I then use TWO pair of the latex gloves. Its a trick my wife (a former nurse) showed me. The outer set of gloves can get filty and start to break down from the solvents, but the inner one remains intact. You'll not be able to pick up a dime, but it works particularly well for parts cleaning. When the outer pair are shot they can easily be peeled off and discarded and a new pair put on.

I too have found laundry detergent the most effective grease remover, though it is pretty hard on the skin. No baby soft hands afterwards....

 

[Guest]

I still use good old Boraxo and a stiff scrub brush. My uncle used to use a wire brush and misc. solvents to clean his hands but he is dead now. I cant imagine why? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
jv

 

[CDK]

I use orange hand cleaner or gojo then do a wash with regular dish soap(like dawn) but to get your nails clean, with some of the soap still on use clorox spray cleaner and a small brush. I have always felt that you can be a mechanic all day and still attend Black tie functions (with clean hands) at night.
CDK

 

[ThomP]

If you put liquid dish soap on your hands prior to starting work, clean up will be much easier. Be sure to work some into the finger nails (toe nails too if you use those). Afterwards, I use regular soap and a nail brush. The only thing this regeime hasn't cleaned are inks and dyes. Nitrile gloves work better in the automotive environment than the latex. They are somewhat more expensive, but they usually last the entire job.

 

[Klepper]

Before I go out to work on the car, I "scratch" a regular bar of soap, filling my fingernails with soap. That way, there is no spot for the grease to go. When I am done, I use GoJo with pumice as well and a nail bruch, but I find it works best on dry hands without any water. Then rinse. The soap rinses out of the finger nails with no problems.

I also find nice, dark brown towels in the bathroom help too (light colours don't work so well!).

 

[stever]

EGAD! I cannot believe it! The whole point is to get 'em good and grimy - the ladies then know you are a real man and it is a great conversation starter at the black tie political fundraisers to have LBC black grime and grease under the nails!

OK - just kidding! I use to great effect powdered laundry detergent, a little water and the small scrub brush. This is then followed up by washing the dinner dishes (the wife loves that which isn't All bad). If any is left it then is easily removed with another quick use of the scrub brush. Works pretty well for me. However, I then follow up with a liberal dose of Vitamin E fortified hand lotion - don't remember the exact name of the brand but the point is that the scouring damage, etc. is mitigated with the hand lotion.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I also like Boraxo but it may be hard to find in some areas.

For gloves, if dexterity isn't an issue, I wear those 'Mechanix' gloves over the latex gloves.

Remember, the essence of detailing is to transfer the dirt from the car to you then go inside and clean off.

 

[Guest]

when using the dish washing liquid I also wash the dishes which makes my wife very happy, and she quits griping about the time I spend in the garage. She doesn't know I really wanted to get my hands clean