Strange uses for common things thread!!!
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 239
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Strange uses for common things thread!!!
A place to give ideas for using things in thier unintended purpose. Or just good old fashion Einstein moments.
RAIN-X works very well for protecting polished metal surfaces such as aluminum from the normal elements.
EASY OF makes a great degreaser but is very harsh on soft metals, paint, and plastic.
CASTROL SUPER CLEAN is an all around awesome cleaner, even the home caretaker will love it.
BABY OIL is great at keeping vinyl from breaking down over time.
PAM cooking spray on gaskets will help keep them from sticking to your parts, especially carb gaskets.
RUBBER CEMENT makes a great gasket sealer and is much easier to get off than silicone plus its very clear.
DOT3 & 4 brake fluid will remove paint from just about anything without harming the original surface.
PLASTIC from milk jugs makes a great friction resistant surface. And some other plastic containers can make good gaskets for some items.
Please share yours as it may help others (especially our seasoned members share your wisdom).
Try to keep it short.
Lets keep this going.
RAIN-X works very well for protecting polished metal surfaces such as aluminum from the normal elements.
EASY OF makes a great degreaser but is very harsh on soft metals, paint, and plastic.
CASTROL SUPER CLEAN is an all around awesome cleaner, even the home caretaker will love it.
BABY OIL is great at keeping vinyl from breaking down over time.
PAM cooking spray on gaskets will help keep them from sticking to your parts, especially carb gaskets.
RUBBER CEMENT makes a great gasket sealer and is much easier to get off than silicone plus its very clear.
DOT3 & 4 brake fluid will remove paint from just about anything without harming the original surface.
PLASTIC from milk jugs makes a great friction resistant surface. And some other plastic containers can make good gaskets for some items.
Please share yours as it may help others (especially our seasoned members share your wisdom).
Try to keep it short.
Lets keep this going.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
CUT PLUG CHEWING TOBACCO: What ppl used long before RAIN-X, or for that matter, even windshield wipers, were invented. No chit!
WOODEN CLOTHES PINS: Used on fuel lines to ward off vapor lock.
WOODEN CLOTHES PINS: Used on fuel lines to ward off vapor lock.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 1
From: Goliad, Texas
I know this only helps when you are chaging shocks but it works.
about 3 months ago I changed the shocks on my truck. I had already changed the other 3 shocks so I was already tired, from bolting the shock at the bottom, and then trying to pull the shock down so then I could get the top into the holder at the top. so, I changed it up a little bit. on the front right shock I put the top on first and then put the bushings on and put the nut on. now I would have to push the shock up to get the bottom bolted on right? wrong!!!! I took a bottle jack and used it to push the shock up til it was in line with the hole for the bolt. it helps a lot especially when you have the gas charged shocks that come back to you.
about 3 months ago I changed the shocks on my truck. I had already changed the other 3 shocks so I was already tired, from bolting the shock at the bottom, and then trying to pull the shock down so then I could get the top into the holder at the top. so, I changed it up a little bit. on the front right shock I put the top on first and then put the bushings on and put the nut on. now I would have to push the shock up to get the bottom bolted on right? wrong!!!! I took a bottle jack and used it to push the shock up til it was in line with the hole for the bolt. it helps a lot especially when you have the gas charged shocks that come back to you.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Silver paint: use it on heads when installing,paint both the head and the block with it. The metal in the paint helps to seal and I have never seen one that has leaked.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: texas,earth
Got a glazed belt that squeals sometines??
Regular toothpaste, applied to the v of the belt will break the glaze, and make your truck's breath minty fresh.
Regular toothpaste, applied to the v of the belt will break the glaze, and make your truck's breath minty fresh.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Vaseline, (petrolium Jelly) works very well as a vinyl protectant.
Silicone Lunbricant is a good weatherstrip and rubber protectant. Can extend the life of rubber 5X if used regularly. (Actually recomended by Ford Motor Company)
Silicone Lunbricant is a good weatherstrip and rubber protectant. Can extend the life of rubber 5X if used regularly. (Actually recomended by Ford Motor Company)
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 900
Likes: 3
I use wooden clothespins numbered 1 thru 8 with a black marker and clip them on sparkplug wires whenever I need to remove more than one sparkplug.
I also use a short length of rubber fuel hose shoved on the end of the spark plug when installing them in hard to reach places, also reduces cross threading.
I've used a very thin film of wheel bearing grease on both sides of gaskets to hold them in place and to help seal when I don't have any rtv nearby. I also use a thin smear inside coolant and fuel hoses to make them go on easier. Also makes them easier to remove.
I use vaseline to hold checkballs inplace in auto trans valve bodys.
I also use a short length of rubber fuel hose shoved on the end of the spark plug when installing them in hard to reach places, also reduces cross threading.
I've used a very thin film of wheel bearing grease on both sides of gaskets to hold them in place and to help seal when I don't have any rtv nearby. I also use a thin smear inside coolant and fuel hoses to make them go on easier. Also makes them easier to remove.
I use vaseline to hold checkballs inplace in auto trans valve bodys.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
No belt lube? Wife PO'd cuz she found her toothpaste out in the garage? Wire brush worn down to a nub?
A bar of soap (as long as it's dry) works on fan belts.
81-F-150-Explorer: If silicone gets on clearcoat paint...it will strip the clearcoat off.
Pay close attention to the wax used on clearcoat paint. If it contains silicone...do not use it.
Same thing for spray can dusters used on furniture. These contain silicone, and you don't wanna spray that crap on antique furniture with oiled or French Polished (shellaced) wood finishes.
A bar of soap (as long as it's dry) works on fan belts.
81-F-150-Explorer: If silicone gets on clearcoat paint...it will strip the clearcoat off.
Pay close attention to the wax used on clearcoat paint. If it contains silicone...do not use it.
Same thing for spray can dusters used on furniture. These contain silicone, and you don't wanna spray that crap on antique furniture with oiled or French Polished (shellaced) wood finishes.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
Keep an old bar of soap in your glovebox, if your gas tank gets a small leak-rub it in there and it may help stop it(depending on why it leaks-best for small punctures) for a temporary fix and get you home.
I also keep an old film container full of ground pepper, if you get a small coolant leak it will usually stop the leak until you can get it fixed.
The thin cardboard of a cereal box can be made into a light duty gasket in a pinch-mostly for thermostat gaskets and carb. mounting gaskets.
Temporary fixes, yet they may get you home or to the store to get proper parts.
I also keep an old film container full of ground pepper, if you get a small coolant leak it will usually stop the leak until you can get it fixed.
The thin cardboard of a cereal box can be made into a light duty gasket in a pinch-mostly for thermostat gaskets and carb. mounting gaskets.
Temporary fixes, yet they may get you home or to the store to get proper parts.