Hand cleaners

So what's your weapon of choice? I always used Dawn dish detergent out of habit and that was always what was by the sink growing up. Tried some of the new stuff but just never got into the habit of picking some up when the old tube ran out. Today I found something that works fantastic. Was working on the coal boiler and the old lady calls for supper. Since I was recently relocated to washing my hands in the laundry sink instead of the kitchen sink, once again the bottle of Dawn was empty. So,,,,,, I decided to use some concentrated laundry soap. MAN!!!! The stuff is awesome! Anyone else use this and it's old news or what is your weapon of choice? Scott

stokerscot wrote:I decided to use some concentrated laundry soap. MAN!!!! The stuff is awesome! Anyone else use this and it's old news or what is your weapon of choice?

I have used laundry soap for years. I usually only use it when my hands are really grimy. And like you I used it in the wash tub in the basement because it happened to be there sitting on the dryer.

Even dry laundry detergent works great.. I used to use Tide detergent in a box.. I'd just wet my hand and dip it in the Tide powder,, enough detergent would stick to my hand to do the job..
I also keep a 'scotch-brite' pad to scrub my rough callouses clean.. works very well.. and a finger nail brush too..

Greg L

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I've used DL hand cleaner for 20+ years now. Just a small hand full and a rag and it'll clean your hands of any grease and dried oil based paint. It's great when you're on the job or in your shop and there's no water around.

Dave

I use GoJo or laquer thinner, depends what I've been into. The one thing I could not find a way to get off is Permatex Ultra Black. That sh#t stuck like glue. It wore off after about three days.

billw wrote:I use GoJo or laquer thinner

I used to use laquer thinner until a demo at an auto body shop. This safety scientist type guy told of how bad laquer thinner is, (trust me, it isn't good for a human to absorb it), then did a demo. He had a test that could tell if laguer thinner was on a surface. A volunteer put a tested clean penny in one hand. Three drops of laquer thinner in the other. 4 or 5 seconds later the penny tested positive. It impressed me. I use any ol' hand soap for regular grime, but if I don't get clean I reach under the sink for Fast Orange hand cleaner. It works. GoJo is good too.

The other thing that really works is "Gloves in a Bottle". If I know I'm going into a particularly ugly job I'll use it. It does take a few minutes for it to be applied & dry, but it's absolutly amazing how it keeps grime from getting into your skin.

I use a product called Green Satin Glove that I buy from McMaster-Carr. It is a granulated hand cleaner that works great. In New York you cannot have bar soap in a commercial building bathroom, germs or something. I originally started using Green Glove to satisfy the inspectors and liked it so much that I now use it in my home shop. Doesn't dry your hands out like laundry detirgent

billw wrote:I use GoJo or laquer thinner, depends what I've been into. The one thing I could not find a way to get off is Permatex Ultra Black. That sh#t stuck like glue. It wore off after about three days.

POR15 is the same way. Nothing I've tried will remove it and it takes at least three days to wear off. Normally I use GoJo or Permatex jelly-type hand cleaner, it gets all but the worst things off without too much trouble.

When I was a mechanic, I had Go-Jo and dawn dish washing liquid in the shower in place of soap and shampoo. Used to get all showered up for a night on the town with the ladies and had several comment "oh I love the smell of your cologne, what is it"

When I was using 'Ultra Black' I'd spray my hands with 'Brake Clean' and wipe the RTV off.. however when you get in under your nails, even a knife and brush won't get it out..

Greg L

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Stay away from solvents as hand cleaner, dries the hell out of the skin and it is absorbed through the skin. That said I do use mineral spirits to clean my hands if it's something like oil based (alkyd) paint. MS is fairly mild. Lacquer thinner is much nastier.

For lots of grease and dirt I use some ATF, work it in well and wipe off with paper towels. Then use Go-Jo with pumice.

I don't recommend using solvents, but sometimes it is the only thing that will remove the mess on my hands.. no matter what, my hands get dry.. for my skin, ATF's detergents are very drying.. I get bleeding cracks in the palms of my hands.. and finger joints. Too much washing dries my skin..

Greg L

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