Dirty hands

RHD

RHD

Well-known member
Not really a Model 'A' topic, but engineering in general.
We all get dirty hands, sometimes with heavy oils and old grease which take some shifting.
I don't know if this is common knowledge, but wet your dirty hands and dip them in some laundry powder. Wash as usual. I works a treat. I use it all the time with near perfect results.
 
That or liquid dish soap also works great. A fingernail or hand brush really gets the grease off when used with laundry soap or liquid dish soap.

Now, what's the majic solution to avoid cracked skin on the thumbs during the winter time?
 
I spray on some WD-40, rub my hands together and wipe with a paper towel followed by soap and water. Works like a charm.
 
Nice to see I'm not alone in having trouble getting to sleep.:D

I've also used WD-40 and a paper towel to clean my hands when soap and water weren't handy. Like Barry said, it works great, and is much easier on the hands than gasoline.:)
 
Dupont used to make a product you applied before getting your hands dirty. It was called ProTek, available in the '50's in glass jars, later in plastic jars, then tubes. You rubbed it in to your hands and fingernails 'till it was dry, then did the dirty work. Paint, rear end, ****** teardown. Everything washed off and your nails were clean!

It appeared to be a mix of borax, talc and potassium stearate. Basically, it plugged up skin cracks and pores before they could fill with dirt then rinsed away nicely after the fact. Haven't seen it in years. If I did, I buy more. I hate wearing rubber, vinyl, or nitrile gloves. They make my hands sweat.

The current "equivalents" are pr88 from G.A.M.P. Industries and Blue Magic Invisible Glove. Both excellent, but nothin' beats the original.
 
NAPA used to sell "Glove Coat" that sounds like the same stuff.

Smells just like the powdered soap that the Army had in the large round hand washing "stations" in basic training at Ft Bliss in 1967.

The IBM parts store used to carry something similar back when all the machines were mechanical 024, 082, 083, 407, 557 and such ... do not remember the part number though!

Something similar here:
http://www.diversifiedcompoundedproducts.com/hand_protection_healthcare.asp





MikeK said:
Dupont used to make a product you applied before getting your hands dirty. It was called ProTek, available in the '50's in glass jars, later in plastic jars, then tubes. You rubbed it in to your hands and fingernails 'till it was dry, then did the dirty work. Paint, rear end, ****** teardown. Everything washed off and your nails were clean!

It appeared to be a mix of borax, talc and potassium stearate. Basically, it plugged up skin cracks and pores before they could fill with dirt then rinsed away nicely after the fact. Haven't seen it in years. If I did, I buy more. I hate wearing rubber, vinyl, or nitrile gloves. They make my hands sweat.

The current "equivalents" are pr88 from G.A.M.P. Industries and Blue Magic Invisible Glove. Both excellent, but nothin' beats the original.
Click to expand...
 
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Tom,

The best thing for cracked skin on hands that I have ever used is "Aquaphor" ointment ... looks like Vaseline. It has something to deaden the pain too.

Put it on your cut and cover with couple Band Aids and masking tape ... the next morning the cut has started to heal already. The pain goes away soon after you "install" it.

Drug stores have it.
 
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Tom i use super glue after the fact.just put a little in the crack with a toothpick and push together.works for me.
 
Does anyone wear the mechanics gloves while working? I always thought that the farbric would get dirty pretty easy. I do notice the guys in dealerships often wear them,and also at a local independent shop.

John
 
I know this is a "no-no":eek:, but I spray carb cleaner from a can. Onto a clean paper towel then wipe my hands with it to get the really bad greasy
stains off. Next comes the Go-Jo with grit and maybe some liquid dish soap. There is no way I could wear a glove and work on my "babies".
There just would be no feeling to the labor of love...........:p

Bob-A:D
 
Tom I have the cracked thumb problem to. My Pharmacyst at rite aid said to use ther brand of pure glycerine its greasy but works wonders. im a true beleiver now.He said its the active ingredant in most lotions. have a safe Memorial Day ....Dave
 
I like to keep a refillable spray bottle of undiluted simple green by the shop sink. Works good for getting grease off parts and I use it to wash my hands too. Never seems to be harsh on the skin. I like to use the disposible nitrile gloves. Often I can get several uses out of them especially if I get the heavier 8 mil ones.
Dave
 
Tom, try Corn Huskers lotion I use to find it at Farm & Fleet. My Dad swore by it. I only use 'hand shoes" for cold protection not dirt prevention.
 
Bob-A said:
I know this is a "no-no":eek:, but I spray carb cleaner from a can. Onto a clean paper towel then wipe my hands with it to get the really bad greasy
stains off. Next comes the Go-Jo with grit and maybe some liquid dish soap. There is no way I could wear a glove and work on my "babies".
There just would be no feeling to the labor of love...........:p

Bob-A:D
Click to expand...
Bob ,,their Your kidneys do as You please!!!
You should have some of the stuff I used in the Navy!! I'm surprised I'm not dead!
 
anteek said:
Before you start work rub your hands with ATF,it fills the pores and the dirt comes right off.
Click to expand...

The bottle of ATF I bought today lists skin contact as a carcinogen warning. At a minimum you are looking at dermatitis.
 
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as a first line of defense I wear latex gloves when doing greasy work on the cars.

when that fails (the durn thing always break or wear through the fingertips) I clean dirty hands first with mineral oil (without water- wipe it off with a towel); then a little liquid dish soap and a stiff brush for the nails.
 
Tom, I too get cracked hands. Here's three helpful hints.

1. When I "wash" my hands in diesel fuel or fuel oil, they get quite clean and they don't dry out. Don't really know about any health risks with this but I have been doing it off and on for 40 plus years.
2. A farmer/rancher cure is a thing called "Bag Balm". It comes in a green can and has a drawing of a cow's udder on front. It is a pastelike ointment.
3. My son used to climb quite a bit. Climbers hands take a lot of abuse and one thing that they use is called "Climb On" (Climbers' code for "Go Ahead and Climb"). It's sold by Climb On Products from Wimberley, Texas. It is sold at outdoor stores. It is a bar that you rub your hands on.

Dean
 
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