|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,814
|
Red Shop Rags
What do you guys do with them when they are dirty?
Just wash them or toss them.
__________________
Paul 1980 911SC Targa - Sold 1972 914 - Sold |
||
09-17-2005, 05:19 PM
|
|
|
Crotchety Old Bastard
|
I wouldn't wash them in any machine used for clothes.
__________________
RarlyL8 Motorsports / M&K Exhaust - 911/930 Exhaust Systems, Turbos, TiAL, CIS Mods/Rebuilds '78 911SC Widebody, 930 engine, 915 Tranny, K27, SC Cams, RL8 Headers & GT3 Muffler. 350whp @ 0.75bar Brian B. (256)536-9977 Service@MKExhaust Brian@RarlyL8 |
||
|
09-17-2005, 05:23 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: DTX
Posts: 2,409
|
If you toss them, be careful - there was a thread on here or somewhere else about how shop rags with a combination of different chemicals, in an enclosed container, can spontaneously ignite.
__________________
89 Carrera 3.4 "There is a right way to go around a corner - it's called the line." -- PCA DE speaker bryteside.com - good things happen. |
||
|
09-17-2005, 05:53 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,820
|
Important topic here.
 I wash them in the clothes washer and follow that with some jeans or something similar. Of course, this is all done when the wife is away.  Hot water and twice the amount of detergent you would normally use. Rinse twice.
|
||
|
09-17-2005, 05:54 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Oregun
Posts: 10,040
|
or go to a laundramat....
__________________
"A man with his priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile." - Ferris Bueller's Day Off |
||
|
09-17-2005, 06:03 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 5,733
|
Toss 'em. They are so cheap at Sams club I dont think twice about it.
|
||
|
09-17-2005, 06:08 PM
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,967
|
If they are good ones (not Costco or Sams) then I soak them in a bucket with soap in it THEN wash them in the washing machine followed by old towels or the like.
Well worth saving if they are the good ones. If they are the cheapo ones from Sams or Costco then they are not really worth saving for me. JoeA
__________________
2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
||
|
09-17-2005, 07:13 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: southwest Ct
Posts: 277
|
$8.99 for 75 red rags at costco. This to me is disposable.
__________________
"The smaller the fine print, the larger the risk." 1988 911 coupe 2008 VW R32 2004 530I |
||
|
09-17-2005, 07:14 PM
|
|
|
Registered
|
definetely toss em' too cheap to worry about messing up my good clothes in the washer afterwords.
__________________
Phil 2005 GT3 Milltek Exhaust/ECU reflashed/OEM Short shift 1988 911 coupe (GP white) Turbocharged 1998 BMW 328i |
||
|
09-17-2005, 07:21 PM
|
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,967
|
Quote:
If you can get the real ones they are worth saving. JA
__________________
2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
||
|
09-17-2005, 07:25 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Marysville Wa.
Posts: 22,485
|
take a bag full to your local repair shop. the laundry man will usually clean them for you.
__________________
https://www.instagram.com/johnwalker8704 8009 103rd pl ne Marysville Wa 98270 206 637 4071 |
||
|
09-17-2005, 07:26 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: southwest Ct
Posts: 277
|
costco rags are soooo much lighter you will be amazed at how much faster they clean
__________________
"The smaller the fine print, the larger the risk." 1988 911 coupe 2008 VW R32 2004 530I |
||
|
09-17-2005, 07:31 PM
|
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Central Coast California
Posts: 1,299
|
on the rag
I leave 'em soak in a bucket of purple cleaner like castrol super clean until I have enough to make a load, then take them to a coin laundry and use lots of detergent and ammonia. That way the old lady won't get pissed.
__________________
'68 911 2.2 "E" PMO Carbs, Electromotive Crankfire Ignition, Adjustable Spring Plates, turbo tie rods, Bilsteins, headers, MB911 muffler... "The sea merely lies in wait for the innocent but it stalks the unwary." |
||
|
09-17-2005, 07:35 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,814
|
I appreciate the help.
No Costco or Sam's club out here in the boonies. I'll give them a wash. Good idea about soaking them in a bucket first.
__________________
Paul 1980 911SC Targa - Sold 1972 914 - Sold |
||
|
09-17-2005, 07:45 PM
|
|
|
Registered
|
I think they are better after washing, softer, more absorbent. I soak them overnight in Oxy - forget the warning label aobut "maximum of 5 minutes". It won't hurt them, they just lose more of the red dye. I do it in a small trash can. Then wash in the washer with hot water, warm risne, normal soap and some bleach. Use Dawn dish washing liquid if you really want to kill any greasiness, but the Oxy should have done it. If not, they're probably too oily to mess with in the first place.
__________________
Dan in Pasadena '76 911S Sahara Beige/Cork |
||
|
09-18-2005, 11:12 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Oregun
Posts: 10,040
|
Considering the water quality, I'd say that soaking them in the Rio and beating on rock in the desert sun would kill any grease... (actually, somewhat true - the clay in suspension in the river will absorb oils and greases...)
__________________
"A man with his priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile." - Ferris Bueller's Day Off |
||
|
09-18-2005, 11:19 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Toss them
far cheaper to buy new rags than keep replaceing washing machines.
__________________
AKA "86ragtop" 1986 911 Carrera SOLD 11/2001 1984 Carrera 3.2 IROC RSR look |
||
|
09-18-2005, 12:31 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 1,422
|
John Walker was right.
Shop towels can be exchanged by your local uniform service. I get them in the hundreds per bundle. They have to comply with all of the environmental/sanitary sewer guys. Just dirty ones are soaked in some cheap detergent from Dollar General over night and then straight to the coin-o-matic. Good luck, David Duffield |
||
|
09-18-2005, 12:38 PM
|
|
|
Too big to fail
|
For nasty jobs, ie front wheel bearings, I use the heavy-duty paper towels that come in a dispenser box. It's a lot easier than worrying about how to clean rags. You can get shop gloves @ Harbor Freight for $3/box on sale. Between the two, I don't have a rag-laundering problem.
__________________
"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs |
||
|
09-18-2005, 02:07 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Central Coast California
Posts: 1,299
|
One point that I didn't mention about storing the used rags in a detergent/water solution prior to washing, is that you eliminate the worry of spontaneous combustion which is a real issue.
 Even when throwing the rags away in the trash.The paper rags that Thom mentioned are a great option, I think they are a Scott product, but they will combust also if the conditions are right.
__________________
'68 911 2.2 "E" PMO Carbs, Electromotive Crankfire Ignition, Adjustable Spring Plates, turbo tie rods, Bilsteins, headers, MB911 muffler... "The sea merely lies in wait for the innocent but it stalks the unwary." |
||
|
09-18-2005, 02:32 PM
|
|
78 Porsche 911SC 3.0L, 3.3Turbo soon. 
1987 Porsche 944 2.5
1970 Porsche 911T
Twin plugged Targa - SOLD
RUF Clone
86 Ragtop
IROC RSR Replica
