Here are a few examples of items normally used in the kitchen or bathroom that can help make projects in the garage easier. Photos by author.
Areas like the garage, workshop and basement are sometimes treated as the second-class rooms of the home. They get the hand-me-downs. For example, your basement may be furnished with the old living room set, the TV that you recently replaced and, possibly, even the old refrigerator.
When it comes to working in the garage, even though we like to take pride in our tools, and use the correct one for each situation, most times, at least for me, supplies are acquired based on ease of access and the fact that they work properly for their intended use and/or make some process easier. They don’t have to be fancy, or in some cases, even new.
One of the best rooms in the house to plunder for supplies and other useful items is the kitchen. It’s full of stuff that can help you clean and store parts in the garage more efficiently. The good news is many of the objects that you would need, actually do get periodically retired from kitchen use, like storage containers with locking lids and worn pots and pans. Instead of throwing them away, give them a second chance in the garage. The plastic storage containers usually come in myriad shapes and sizes, some of which are perfect for specific tasks or to store parts and supplies.
Snap-lock style containers, metal travel coffee mugs, reusable containers for deli meats, Ovaltine jar and a 2-pound coffee canister can also provide practical garage storage.
Certain items in the bathroom can also be useful in the garage, like old tooth brushes, which are supposed to be replaced with new ones periodically anyway. These work great for cleaning grime from small parts.
Below is a list of free hand-me-downs and new low-cost supplies to help you organize or get projects completed more easily in the garage.
Kitchen
Second-Chance Items for Storage or Cleaning
Snap-lock containers—durable and resealable, will keep moisture out if desired or smaller parts can be soaked in them
Tupperware containers—durable and sealable, can also soak smaller parts in them
Plastic containers used for deli meats—not nearly as durable as those above, but still good for lightweight items or cleaning when you know you may throw out the container when finished.
Plastic containers for dip, pudding and sherbert—good for dry item storage only in my opinion because the tops don’t seal very well.
Plastic jars for applesauce, pickles, sunflower seeds, peanut butter and Ovaltine—durable, large openings for easy access and they are resealable
Plastic 2-pound coffee canisters—very large opening for easy access, durable, some reseal better than others. Look for ones with screw-on tops.
Metal travel coffee mugs—very durable and resealable
Old spice rack and jars—great for storing fasteners and other small hardware, but plastic jars are safer than glass
Second-Chance Items for Cleaning
Old pots—good to use as a basin for scrubbing parts
Old colanders—great if you want to dip smaller parts in a larger pot with cleaner in it
Old roasting pan—Good for scrubbing the larger parts
Old cookie sheets—provide a tough work surface and keep small fasteners and parts from rolling away
Second-Chance Work Items
Timer—quick and easy way to keep track of paint drying times when refinishing parts with a rattle can
Meat thermometer—test temps of any liquid within its operating range, as needed
Measuring cups—measure any liquid, for instance when a concentrated cleaner calls for a dilution of 1-part cleaner to 5-parts water etc.
Retired toaster oven—when small parts require curing by heat for their new finishes (don’t use it for food anymore)
Zip-lock style plastic bags of various sizes can keep small parts clean and dry. Even these old kitchen cabinets work well for storage in the garage.
New Supplies
Zip-lock style bags of various sizes—store just about anything, and you can see through them for easy ID. Many have a place where you can write on them to describe the contents.
Tinfoil—excellent for masking parts for painting, since it retains whatever shape you mold it around
Coffee filters—to strain solids from liquids (not for paint!)
Scotch-Brite pads—to clean surfaces or to scuff them for paint
Steel wool— to clean surfaces
Sponges—to clean surfaces
Toothpicks—for cleaning tight areas creases or seams on cars or parts
Bathroom
Second-Chance Items for Cleaning
Old hairdryer—for when a little heat is required, to soften old adhesive for example
Old toothbrushes—to scrub tight areas on parts or cars
Second-Chance Items for Storage
Old plastic pill bottles—to store and protect hardware, small parts or supplies, such as the little red nozzles that come with carb or brake cleaner that normally disappear the first time you use the can. Just make sure they are dry before you put them in the bottle.
Shower caddy—to hold supplies
Old shower caddies can find new life in the garage keeping items organized.
Second-Chance Work Item
Old makeup compact with mirror—use as an inspection mirror to see in tight areas when working on the car
New Supplies
Cotton swabs—to help clean small parts
Disclaimer from the author regarding using household containers for cleaners to clean or soak parts: Please use care. They are being used temporarily, not for permanent storage of the cleaner. Keep in mind that if you are working with harsher cleaners that require an “approved” container, then use the appropriate one. Any container that you use should be clearly marked with the name of what’s in it. Any cleaners that could be considered dangerous should be clearly marked as such on the container that you use and it should also seal properly and stay sealed even if dropped, so no glass jars. Keep the original packaging for the cleaner, so that you can refer back to its instructions and its safety warnings as needed. Never mix any cleaners together. Small children should not have access to areas where cleaners are used or stored.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/217Yzwd
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