Stupid tool cleaning question... Please help!

Joined
Mar 22, 2008
Messages
635
Location
los angeles
I use some random brand of “orange citrus” cleaning wipe from Home Depot. When your Milwaukee red / white impact looks like it’s a Porter Cable gray/black color scheme, it makes things 90% better. Yes, it does rub off the white color on Milwaukee tools, but then it wasnt very white before I started cleaning.

I tend to keep tools cleaner if they have multiple uses … I don’t like getting car grime on wood working projects, nor do I like getting wood dust into my automotive projects.
 
Joined
Mar 8, 2022
Messages
34
I use some random brand of “orange citrus” cleaning wipe from Home Depot. When your Milwaukee red / white impact looks like it’s a Porter Cable gray/black color scheme, it makes things 90% better. Yes, it does rub off the white color on Milwaukee tools, but then it wasnt very white before I started cleaning.

I tend to keep tools cleaner if they have multiple uses … I don’t like getting car grime on wood working projects, nor do I like getting wood dust into my automotive projects.
My thoughts exactly! My cordless tools go from mechanical work to woodworking so I try to keep them clean as possible. I agree that I would be very careful with solvents around plastic as some will damage plastics.
 

JHZR2

Staff member
Joined
Dec 14, 2002
Messages
49,856
Location
New Jersey
I don't clean them, they will be dirty again real soon.
Agree. I use a clean, dry paper towel to work out what I can and leave it at that.

Metal parts occasionally get some ballistol or woolwax depending upon what it is.
 
Joined
Jan 4, 2019
Messages
1,355
Location
Louisiana
I have some hand cleaner wipes that I got from the auto parts store . I clean all sorts of things with them .
 
Joined
May 25, 2005
Messages
1,080
Location
Arizona
I've started using Tub O Towels... they work reasonably well, with the primary caveat being the "detailing" aspect, ie difficult to get into knicks and crannies

Non-chlor brake cleaner will typically be ok, but of course test it first. Chlorinated tends to cloud and craze many plastics.

I never cared for the brake cleaner route, it just never seemed efficient. At least the Tub O Towels stay wet (vs rapid evap) and they work well(ish)
Works great and then wipe with paper towels. Good enough on your bare hands, so it's fine on the plastics.
 
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