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Products/tools used in non-traditional ways

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Mark57, Oct 12, 2011.

  1. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Do you use an automotive product/tool in a cool non-automotive way or place? How about a non-automotive product/tool that you use on your car? Enlighten us all and list it here.

    For an automotive product example, I'll start with Rain-X. It's great for car windows but I also use it on the inside of our shower door and shower glass wall. It does a great job at keeping soap and hard water deposits from sticking. Be sure to use the exhaust fan to vent the fumes out of the shower as you apply it since it can be a little stout in the enclosed area. Also be careful not to get it on the shower floor because it can be very slick if you step on it. WHOOPS!:eek:

    I also use Rain-X on our patio sliding glass door and our front entryway glass door. No more rain spots! Remember, happy wife, happy life.;)

    For a non-automotive product, I'll mention my leaf blower. It's been mentioned many times by others on the forum, but I use my leaf blower to dry my vehicles after I wash them. I use it on the low speed setting. It's great for getting the water out of those spots that drip and run later after you "think" you're done drying.
     
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I've used Zaino car polish on my black refrigerator.

    I've used Brake Cleaner as eye cleaner while I was trying to clean exhaust tips in my Vette.

    I've used a California Car Duster to dust my house.

    I've under numerous hand tools as wall texturizers when I was mad!

    I've used nitrous oxide on my lawn mower when grass got too tall. (kidding)

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Ouch! Definitely not recommended.:eek:

    LOL!
     
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Not to ruin your post but after I sprayed my eye I ran to the sink to wash it out. My eye stuck shut so I immediately ran to the computer to post about it on my club forum at the time (Norcal-LSX.com).

    1st post:
    2nd post:
     
  5. glennhl

    glennhl Member

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    Great lawn mower! I recognize those wheels, I used to have a 94 Camaro Z28. :D
     
  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Lemon Pledge furniture polish has been a long time favorite in the motorcycle world. Don't see it mentioned on car forums. It works great on rubber, plastic and painted surfaces but avoid overspray on glass, mirrors, etc., just as you would with Amor-all or similar products. Plus, it smells better. :)

    I've also used golf tee's to plug vacuum lines.
     
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  7. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    LOL, in my twisted mind and world, I just got the mental image of some of these things happening.

    In the past as a kid, we'd use gasoline to get oil based paint off our hands. This would be followed up immediately with a rinsing from the hose.

    I have used miniature screw drivers to hold a sunroof in place so that I could put it back into the car before.

    When I worked at a movie theater, we would periodically use rubber bands and/or twist ties to hold parts of the projectors together as we waited for replacements.

    I'll have to remember the Rain-X idea for the shower stall at home. That's a good one! I never thought to use it on the exterior of the windows at the house, but that's a good idea as well.
     
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  8. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Ahh yes, the ole bail'in wiaaarrr technique or in modern terms, Duct Tape. ;)
     
  9. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Ah, let's not forget WD-40 and its ability to remove road tar.
     
  10. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I love this thread. Keep them coming :)
     
  11. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    Speaking of Duct Tape, it works great when you're sunroof breaks and won't close all the way. I used it to all around the sunroof and roof of the car for a week before getting around to fixing the sunroof (same one I used the screw drivers with).

    According to my brother, it also works great to hold sandals, shoes, etc together. He really is cheaper than I thought, sometimes.
     
  12. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    It's good at removing other sticky substances too, I think.

    While not necessarily a tool, I saw a video where someone used a can of compressed air (the stuff offices use for computer equipment), a cheap hotel pen shaft(?), and create a spit ball gun of sorts. Not that I would ever condone such activity :rockon:

    I used a paperclip once to hold the throttle control on my lawnmower in place, since the spring shot off into a bush the 2nd time I used the mower.
     
  13. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    You guys sound like Marines. Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. ;)
     
  14. JamesBurke

    JamesBurke Senior Member

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    WD-40 or parts cleaner/degreaser sprayed on poison ivy or oak drys it right up. Brake cleaner would probably work too.
     
  15. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    That's a mini-potato/pumpkin gun. :D
     
  16. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Cool. On the same note and car related I had poison ivy on the underside of my forearm some time back. It was like 100° outside and the door frame was HOT. I forgot and put my arm down on the hot metal and it immediately stopped itching and it didn't burn. My Prius stops poison ivy from itching! A hair dryer is easier though.
     
  17. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    Years ago I used brake cleaner to clean off the leak oil baked onto the valve cover that nothing could get off.
     
  18. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Years ago, my sister gave me a Leatherman Flair as a gift, it is too functional for a woman to use and too feminine for a man to purchase, so I suspect the only market was women buying them for men. Leatherman never sold enough to keep it in production, but I love mine.
    [​IMG]

    The cocktail fork is great for manipulating switches in confined spaces, the center tang is shorter than the out side ones so you can push DIP switches easy.

    [​IMG]

    I find it defeats the plastic guards on thermostats. It slips right in the vents.

    [​IMG]

    The spreading knife is my pry bar, even if it slips, nothing is marred.

    Good selection of screwdrivers for PC work, I add a eyeglass repair screwdriver for Laptops
    [​IMG]
     
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  19. Airboss

    Airboss Junior Member

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    My daughter was using an oil based primer on her house, and she used vegetable oil to clean up her hands. It seemed to work well, and did not stink like mineral spirits or paint thinner.

    I don't know if she used it for the brushes.
     
  20. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    I used it a lot on motorcycles but only use it on engine compartments in cars. It makes a good engine detailer once your engine is relatively clean.