Dirt Under the Fingernails

[legion]

I've been wrenching on my car almost every day the past few weeks. I've developed quite a collection of grease under my fingernails.

I've tried degreaser, Dawn, Gojo, the brush that comes with Gojo, old toothbrushes, tweezers, the hooky thingy on toenail clippers, I've cut my nails very short....nothing effectively gets the grease out. Any tips?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

latex gloves

[legion]

That's no fun. I need the tactile sensation to effectively work...and the callouses on my fingertips would do me no good.

[lendaddy]

Use an old toothbrush and dish soap.

[bryanthompson]

if a toothbrush isn't stiff enough, find a really coarse bath brush and dish soap.

if that doesnt work, there's always a wire wheel attachment for your drill.

[legion]

Originally posted by bryanthompson
if that doesnt work, there's always a wire wheel attachment for your drill.

Heck, why not go straight to the milling bit on my drill press?

[charleskieffner]

put liquid hand cleaner ON FIRST! not alot just enough to give skin a coat. works great. also when you cut yourself REAL GOOD with a dull knife............use super glue to seal your boo-boo!

[sammyg2]

Charles nailed it.
Vaseline under the nails works, so does bar soap rubbed under there but it will drive you crazy. keep the junk from sticking and it will be easy to clean later.

[motion]

Find a hose with really good water pressure. Nail your nails head-on with the stream. They'll clean out in 3 seconds.

[Jims5543]

Go to the beach for the day and play in the sand.....oops! Blomington, never mind.

Soak them in dish detergent (your soaking in it!!) then scrub them while in the shower at the end of the shower.

[Don Ro]

Wash a big load of dishes, pots 'n pans.
Score big w/your wife, too.
.
Motion's idea works for me, too.

[slodave]

I have the same problem at the moment. I wear them as a badge of honor.

[masraum]

Yep, the right cleaner and short nails and they should come 98% clean with the rest not really visible.

[VINMAN]

I use either Liquid Glove or NAPA hand protector. I put it on before I work. Make sure I get alot of it under my nails.
I'm another one that hates using latex gloves to work.
My favorite hand cleaner is, Zep TKO. The stuff is awsome.
Way back when, my grandfather used to mix Wisk laundry detergent with sawdust to clean his hands. I remember that always worked great.

[onewhippedpuppy]

My first step is the orange stuff with the grit to it, then dish soap and a coarse brush. Takes care of most of it.

[Rot 911]

I just use the latex gloves unless it is really hot out. Can't stand all that sweat inside the gloves and no evaporation!

[sammyg2]

I can remember about 25 years ago when we used benzene to wash our hands at work. Talk about a good solvent, smelled good too.
I don't recommend it though, it kind of causes cancer.

[Tobra]

In the future get soap or vaseline under your nails to keep it out.

Try scrubbing under there with vegetable oil to loosen it up, then using soap and water

[charleskieffner]

Originally posted by sammyg2
I can remember about 25 years ago when we used benzene to wash our hands at work. Talk about a good solvent, smelled good too.
I don't recommend it though, it kind of causes cancer.

we used tri-chlor @ garrett aviation, motorola used it also by the 55 gallon drum........................it all ended up in the SALT RIVER which meets up with the GILA RIVER. signs posted everywhere downstream...................DO NOT EAT THE FISH!

[vash]

buy a fingernail brush. use it with a gritfree handcleaner. no issues. i wear nitrile gloves 95% of the time now. any and all dirt that gets by, get taken off with my hairwashing. hehe. girlfriends dont let you touch them with nasty hands.