You already know what a lubricant does. You know a seized bolt costs time, a dry hinge wears out, and a rusted fitting can stop a job. What you may not have settled is how many different cans and bottles your shop needs to handle all of that.
My answer is one good multi purpose lubricant kept within reach of every bay and bench. I based this view on what shops ask of their products: loosen, protect, clean, and stay in place. I compared those needs with what the makers of the leading products say theirs can do. The company I recommend at the end is Howes, and I will explain why they stand out.
Here is what you will get from this article. You will see the cost of a crowded supply cabinet, the traits to look for in a single product, the jobs it can cover, and a simple way to set it up in your shop. By the end, you can decide with confidence what to buy and where to keep it.
The Cost of a Crowded Cabinet
Most shops collect products over the years. One can is for rust. Another is for squeaks. A third is for electrical parts, and a fourth is for tools.
Each one has a price, a shelf spot, and a label to read. When a worker needs something fast, he grabs the closest can, and it may be the wrong one.
Here is what that crowd of products causes:
- Money spent on products that sit half used
- Time lost looking for the right can
- Mistakes when a product is wrong for the surface
- More safety data sheets to track and store
One product that handles most of these jobs cuts all four problems. You buy less, store less, and train your people on one item.
What a Shop Needs From One Product
Not every lubricant can carry this load. I look for five traits before I call a product fit for general shop use.
1. It stays put. A lubricant that evaporates leaves the part dry again in a day.
2. It gets into tight spaces. Threads, seams, and linkages need a product that creeps in and spreads.
3. It pushes out water. Moisture causes rust, and a good product moves it away from the metal.
4. It leaves a clean film. A sticky coat holds dust and grit and wears parts faster.
5. It is safe near wiring. Shops have electrical parts everywhere, and you want one product you can use around them.
If a product misses one of these, you will need a second can to fill the gap. That defeats the purpose.
Where One Product Does the Work
The range of jobs is wide. Here is how a single product can serve different settings, based on what Howes lists for their Multi-Purpose Lubricator and Penetrating Oil.
In the Truck and Fleet Shop
- Free and protect brake cables and locks that freeze in cold weather
- Lubricate air tools, overhead doors, and conveyors
- Clean and protect chrome wheels, vinyl, and leather seats
In the Mechanic Bay
- Clean battery terminals without a harsh solvent
- Free frozen rings, sticky valves, automatic chokes, and linkage
- Remove bugs, road tar, and bumper stains
- Dress rubber parts
On the Farm
- Protect motor mounts, gaskets, switches, and relays
- Keep plows and shovels from sticking
In the Factory and Marina
- Lubricate air tools and loosen rust
- Use as a light cutting or tapping oil
- Seal and insulate electrical connections on boats
- Stop salt corrosion and lubricate rigging
Around the Home Garage
- Quiet squeaky hinges and windows
- Free stuck light bulbs in their sockets
- Lubricate fishing reels and protect firearms from moisture
- Remove sticker residue
That list is long, and it shows why one product earns its spot. Few other items in your shop have this many uses.
Why I Recommend Howes
Howes Products is a fifth-generation, family-owned company in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. They have made lubricants and fuel additives for more than a century. Their Multi-Purpose Lubricator and Penetrating Oil is the original product from 1920, and the company credits it with more than 1,001 uses.
Here is what makes it a strong pick for your shop:
- It does not evaporate. The refined petroleum blend stays on the part and keeps working.
- It reaches tight spaces. It permeates the gaps between threads and displaces water.
- It leaves a protective film. The film does not attract dirt or dust.
- It loosens buildup. Rust, sludge, tar, and gunk release from the surface.
- It is silicone-free. Howes states it is safe on almost any surface and on and around electrical wiring.
Howes also makes all their products without alcohol or harmful solvents, and they say each formula is proven in the lab and in the field before release. Their pledge is “Tested. Trusted. Guaranteed.” They back what they sell with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. If you are not happy, you can mail in your original receipt for a full refund.
Another point matters for shop owners. Howes sells the lubricator in 11 oz and 16 oz sizes, a one-gallon jug, and in both liquid and aerosol forms. You can keep an aerosol at each bay and refill from the jug for bulk use.
How to Set Up Your Shop
Buying the product is the first step. Placing it well is the second.
1. Put one aerosol can at each work bay and on each service truck.
2. Keep a gallon jug in your main supply area for refills and larger jobs.
3. Label each can with the date you opened it, so you can track use.
4. Tell your crew which jobs it covers, and post a short list near the supply cabinet.
5. Keep the safety data sheet on file. Howes publishes one for each of their products.
After a month, check how much you used and where. That tells you how many cans to buy next time.
What to Check Before You Buy
Read the label on any product you consider. Ask these questions:
- Does it say it is safe near electrical wiring?
- Does it contain silicone that could harm a paint job or a finish?
- Does it come in both aerosol and bulk sizes?
- Does the maker offer a guarantee?
If you can answer yes to the useful ones and no to the silicone question, you have a product that fits your shop. Howes answers each of those questions in your favor.
Final Thoughts
A shop runs better when its tools and supplies are simple and easy to find. One dependable lubricant takes the guesswork out of small jobs and keeps your crew moving.
I recommend you start with Howes Multi-Purpose Lubricator and Penetrating Oil. If you have questions about sizes or uses, you can reach the company at 1-800-GET-HOWES or read the guidance on their Knowledge Station. Pick a can, put it where your crew works, and see how many other products you can remove from your cabinet.