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Invaluable Workshop Consumables

In this article, we will introduce you to some must have work tools

Lubricants and Cleaners

Mechanical moving parts need to be cleaned and lubricated regularly, so you'll need to acquire a few liquid sprays to help with this process. A rust penetrant can unstick stubborn bolts and prevent rust from accumulating; brake cleaner dries quickly and can be used to clean any metal parts including brakes; silicone lubricant eliminates squeaking and friction and won't attract dirt; and citrus degreaser is sprayed on and then washed off to remove oil based products from skid plates, axles, and steering components.

Workshop

Drip Pan

Use a drip pan, or at the very least a piece of cardboard to catch oil and fluids falling from your car. This will prevent stains on your garage floor and make it less likely you'll step in something that gets tracked into your home. (If you really want avoid stains, you can also put large piece of plastic tarp down on you garage floor and drive your car over it.)

Desiccant

Keep a bag of desiccant or kitty litter handy to absorb any oil or fluids that may have missed your drip pan and spilled onto your floor. The faster you react, the less likely you'll have an unsightly oil stain on your nice cement floors.

Duct Tape & Electrical Tape

Duct tape has a million uses, so it's common knowledge to keep a roll with you at all times. Electrical tape is also useful when connecting wires and covering up any bare and exposed wiring.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves are preferable to regular work gloves as they are disposable and you are working with clean gloves every time you start a project. Reusable work gloves get greasy and grimy real fast and there's no easy way to clean them.

Workshop

Zip Ties

Zip ties are great for bundling cables and wires together and away from hot and moving parts. They also keep everything nice and tidy which makes it easier to work on a vehicle, as opposed to staring into a rat's nest. Buy a bundle of zip/nylon ties of various sizes so you've got plenty of options when needed.

Factory Service Manual

The most valuable tool when working on your vehicle can be a factory service manual. All of the exact specifications for your make and model vehicle are included in this manual, and many times there are tutorials for common jobs like changing brake pads and adjusting a carburetor. Also available are the Haynes manuals that you'll find online or at your local Supercheap Auto store.

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