Ok So while i've been working on the new engine i've got, Well,
Greasy, oily, absolutely bloody filthy to be honest.
A combination of old grease/oil and general road grime, especially from the sprocket housing you know how mucky it gets in there.

Here is my deffinative top tip as supplied by my lovely missus for getting filth off yer hands.

Washing up liquid and washing powder.

Mix it together in yer hands without water and work it well in then rinse off with warm water and voila nice clean hands.

washing up liquid is also good for freeing stubborn nuts and bolts if you run out of easing oil.

i always used washing up liquid with sugar - the sugar acting like a scourer - but i just tried your suggested recipe and it worked even better. My hands now have a pleasing blue whiteness as well.

Do they have an outdoor freshness about them as well.

I had always used the sugar and washing up liquid as well. So its even better. I'll give it a try the next time I'm working on the bike, which will no doubt be soon.

Alternatively you can always wear surgeons gloves.
Washing up liquid also makes a good lubricant if you're tapping a new thread.

here's one for you to try

not sure it'll be any better than your ideas cos i haven't tried them but:

a wise old man once slapped a nob of butter/ marg in my hand and sprinkled on a spoonful of sugar and said "that'll do the trick son"

and it did (it's like that swarfega gunk basically)

there's a bit of a technique of smushing it round in your hands, and then you have to wash your hands after with soap and water... but it does shift the stubborn stains and if you're worried about delicate hands it's a good one cos washing powder and washing up liquid can be a bit strong sometimes...

I usually use sugar and washing up liquid and scrub my hands with a nail brush, I'll try washing powder tonight and see how it works.

Wearing the gloves not only keeps your hands clean but also keeps them away from the carcinogens in used engine oil.

I used to be a car mechanic and we would use the surgeons gloves (latex). Only bad thing about them, they rip really easily and get very sweaty

Dear all,

Great tips so far... Though the best remedy has to be

Buy a new bike and get all the work done by someone else under warranty... Not only do your hands retain that new shinyness all the time, you get to ride your bike more and it saves money on purchasing fairy liquid and sugar...

On a serious note, I have always used barrier cream prior to engaging on oily/greasy work and hands come up like new with just fairy and one of those green scrubby things your missus leaves lying around the kitchen... Important note, hide green scrubby thing once used or her indoors will kill you.

cheers

Nate

I use this purpose made yellowy type creamy stuff that comes in a big tub and has some sort of grains in it to rough it up a bit.. works very well.. can't for the life of me remember the name mind you

Baby wipes every time baby. Don't dry your hands out, and if you're like me, don't leave your hands with those funny swellings due to being allergic to all the other stuff.

Astonish kitchen cleaner - comes in a tub, not a lot needed and is eco friendly (they do an orange one as well if you're so inclined) sort of gritty/grainy paste stuff. I usually add a bit of washing up liquid and water as well, but the sugar/fairy mixture is good as well

We used to use Vim and fairy liquid - do they still make that?

You could always get a pair of mechinics gloves, they're great and keep your paws warm too

'specially good for freeing wheel bolts

- Anthony

Washing up liquid also helps ease scooter tyres on and off & you can't beat a zesty lemon smell

I thankee ......



















Not saying that was my idea


yes I am!!

Old thread, what the hell.

I have loads of latex glooves at my disposal, best invention since the motorbike
Always have loads in the car and makes changing a wheel a pleasure instead of
''Oh darn, look at my hands'' You'll also find a few pairs on the bike too.

Cheers

Working on the bike or my van or the wifes car I dont get dirty hands at all.

So don't have to worry about washing up liquid sugar salt or whatever.

How do I do it




easy



























Phone a prospect lol

TYPICAL........

What you mean typical

the truth be known if i don't call them i get them saying to me

Womble you should not be doing that.

You any one of us would do that for you & it is a part of prospecting to help out the club officers.


I think they feel insulted if I dont to be honest

on top of that i am as mechaniclly minded as your average fish finger

I should have guessed
To be honest you fell right into that one

At least unlike a lot of people I admit it

A lot wouldn't dare in case they lost face.

I would much rather admit I can't do something than say i can & then look a fool when someone ask me to do it.

Anyway as the saying goes why keep a dog & bark your self ?

if my lads want to do my dirty work & save me money who am to say no

anyway you are only jealous because you have to do these things your self

when i was younger we never had 2 pennies to rub together so it was learn or walk i wasn't much for walking so i learned. I'll admit i had one or two disasters but that's all part of the learning process.

I had to advantage of coming from a family where both my dad & grandad both being bikers.

I think if any of my brothers had taken to bikes the way i had then things would have been different, as none of them did any time my bike broke my dad or grandad would be more than happy to fix it just to get me back on the road.

Only ever once did myself my dad & grandad all go out for a ride together strange now i look back on it.

both of them worked shifts & so it was a rare thing for the 2 of them to see each other let alone ride together.

My grandad dies when i was 17 & my dad gave up riding about the same time due to a dodgy heart & nagging wife.

I can & do basic stuff but would not attempt ( again after last time ) to do a rebuild engine or strip down job.