What do you clean your tools with?

[Tonyv__]

Hey guys. I don’t post much but I frequently lurk the forums for some of my repairs. So I appreciate everyone and their input!

however today I had an emergency repair for a friend. Hub assembly on his 2003 avalanche broke off. Cv joint broke and the grease was everywhere... so you know the tools are a mess.

So the real question is. What do you guys do to clean your sockets? Does anyone soak them in dawn and water and let them sit? Is there a cleaner I can buy? Or do we do it the old fashion way and scrub each tool down and dry it? Lol.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I use brake cleaner or equivalent to clean any tools that don't have any rubber or any other non-metal components within them. It cuts grease very quickly and effectively, and it evaporates very quickly off the tools.

 

[OR VietVet]

Brake clean if needed but I have just used my shop towels for years. Metal and grease and grime are fine with each other and just need a wipe. Other diag tools and electrical, now that needs care.

 

[Tonyv__]

Brake cleaner it is. I’ll just have to take some time out to wipe them down. I don’t mind the dirt. Obviously a dirty tool is a used tool. But I hate starting a job with filthy tools.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Brake cleaner it is. I’ll just have to take some time out to wipe them down. I don’t mind the dirt. Obviously a dirty tool is a used tool. But I hate starting a job with filthy tools.

I would also recommend that you either use gloves when handling brake cleaner in that manner to clean tools, or wash your hands immediately after cleaning the tools, as prolonged exposure to brake cleaner is not all that good for your skin.

 

[OR VietVet]

Ditto, what Joseph said. ^^^^^^^^^

 

[George B]

Just remember super clean tools without an oil film will rust. I am with @PNW VietVet and just wipe em off with my rags.

 

[OR VietVet]

As a kid I learned from my mom that all cast iron skillets should be cooked in and then just wipe clean with a clotch and leave a thin film of grease in the skillet so it will cure and also not rust over time. Same with tools. I leave some of my work dirt and grime on them to protect them. Thanks George.

 

[Tonyv__]

Hmm good point on the oil residue keeping them from rusting... thanks for that.

 

[George B]

As a kid I learned from my mom that all cast iron skillets should be cooked in and then just wipe clean with a clotch and leave a thin film of grease in the skillet so it will cure and also not rust over time. Same with tools. I leave some of my work dirt and grime on them to protect them. Thanks George.

Love cooking in my cast iron pans!