What soaps (specifically for hands) do you guys prefer for cleaning up after wrenching? I use gojo and a lava bar but seems the grease won’t always go away. Any secret soap combos you prefer?
Cherry gojo at home, or cherry scrub plus ( same thing just an industrial version) at work is what I use after every job or for basic clean up, followed by a lava bar in the shower at home when I'm done for the day. I can see the water turn dirty with the lava soap so I'm sure it does better than the cherry stuff.
The secret to the gojo, fast orange or cherry liquid stuff is to put them on dry hands and scrub til it's too sticky like its trying to yank out arm hair. Then just a splash of water and scrub more, and repeat until there's not much soap left, then rinse.
The biggest thing is to wear gloves if it's a really dirty job, like wheel bearing grease, gear oil, gasoline, etc. Or if you're changing out that starter or alternator that's had oil leaking on it for the last 150k miles. It makes cleanup that much easier.
The best kind of soap is a box of latex gloves. I think I went through a 1/3 of a box last night rebuilding brake calipers for the neighbors bass boat tow rig.
You know, brake clean does do wonders. Used to do it all the time, but figured I would look for some other means to try to kill myself. That shit is terrible for your body to soak into your skin.
I was just reminded of a tip I forgot about that works pretty well. Before getting dirty wash hands with bar soap building up a lot of lather and let dry. Do not rinse. It will make cleaning easier
The best kind of soap is a box of latex gloves. I think I went through a 1/3 of a box last night rebuilding brake calipers for the neighbors bass boat tow rig.
Dawn is the best gentle soap I've found. Brake parts cleaner is the only thing that seems to remove 50% of the permadirt in the cracks of my skin. Dr Bronners hippy weirdo soap actually works really well on grease and oil, and is probably good for you or something, according to my wife.
I've also heard old-timers say to put lotion on your hands before you start. Makes it come off easier later. I don't know, haven't tried. Usually I just deal with the permagrease. I wear it like a badge of honor.
Coco Scrub! It's the best stuff I've ever used and it isn't too harsh on your hands. It's the one thing that the government buys that actually works really well.
If there's anything on my hands that won't come off, shampoo will usually take care of it. I keep my hair really short and I figure it gives a little scrubbing action along with the shampoo.
Nitrile gloves but I get boxes from the medics so it easier (cheaper) for me but usually dawn dish soap and a little scrubber to get the rest cleaned up.
Back when I worked in paving/grading I swore by Goop’s “waterless” stuff, it does a pretty impressive job on asphalt/tar if you start with dry hands. For dirty hands from wrenching or millscale/cutting fluid, gojo/fast orange and an old toothbrush is usually my go-to, again starting with dry hands for the first pass.
Used to be I’d use any solvent I could find in the shop (brake/carb cleaner, starting fluid, acetone, etc) but I apparently got old and boring at some point. Which would also explain why I wear gloves a lot more these days.
Cherry gojo or Walnut shell stuff called "magic". The Walnut stuff is wicked coarse.. the Lotion before hand works great to help removal later. Reason being your skin is presaturated with clean oils.. Also lotion/oil will remove gasoline smell from skin. Nitrile Gloves work best.. get the vet ones and they cover you to the elbow...
