Changing oil in the garage

[Scarpozzi]

I'm terrible about oil changes. I always make a mess. My new garage has new concrete and I'm soon going to replace my asphalt driveway with concrete.... I can seal and stain the concrete, but wondered if anyone had any other suggestions besides plastic to keep from staining the floor.

 

[Ksyder]

just get a bunch of old newspapers and put them down.

 

[Mutilator]

Broken down cardboard boxes also work nicely.

 

[twinrider1]

And if your catch pan is just an open pan, make sure you pour it into a container with a lid right away. I was lazy and my laziness was rewarded when the neighbor kid dumped my drain pain, putting about 4 qts into my concrete driveway.

 

[someone16]

A bigger pan with cardboard underneath.

 

[kitatech]

One option is the hard plastic sheet used in offices with carpet that chairs can roll on more easily.

 

[iamwiz82]

Use a tarp or an old carpet. Works great if you are messy.

 

[phucheneh]

...be more careful?

Serious tips for doing such would be: get the car up high enough where you feel like you have a comfortable space to work in. Use a proper catch pan.

This:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...drain-pan/_/N-25yj?itemIdentifier=134895_0_0_

Not this:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...drain-pan/_/N-25yj?itemIdentifier=475368_0_0_

 

[Thump553]

I must be anal. I use an old tarp folded double followed by cardboard if any around then a generous layer of newspaper. Keep some cheap kitty litter around to spread on any spills.

 

[Vetterin]

Epoxy paint the floor or change your oil in the street.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I would seal and stain it before doing it. You can simply spray off the oil with water.

PS. THere is no such a thing as a "not messy" oil change. Don't worry.

 

[thescreensavers]

Lay newspaper down, it works very well.

For My car its hard not to get a small mess of drops when I take the plug out so I just lay Newspaper.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Cardboard works perfectly for me. That and it provides a nice cushion to lie on while under the car. No random pebble poking into your shoulder blade.

 

[JCH13]

Get one of these. Never worry about spilling oil again, or getting hot oil on your hands/arms.

Otherwise: cardboard, kitty litter, and getting a large drain pan will serve you well.

 

[olds]

I use this pan.

 

[WoodButcher]

Before sealing the concrete stain the entire surface w/ used motor oil....

 

[TridenT]

Before sealing the concrete stain the entire surface w/ used motor oil....

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Mide]

I use a large $3 plastic tarp from HF

 

[Kelvrick]

I use a Fumoto drain oil drain valve and it goes nice and neatly into the same oil drain pan that oldsmoboat uses.

For the oil filter (opening facing up), I use a red dixy party cup. Loosen it by hand, then put the cup around the oil filter to take it off. Any oil will drip into the cup.

No more spills. Oh yeah, my garage floor is epoxied.

 

[JCH13]

On the flip side: if you spill oil on an epoxied floor you will slip, fall, and die. :awe:

But seriously, finished floors get insanely slippery with even a tiny bit of oil.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I must be wierd because I could care less if I spill some oil on the floor in a GARAGE. Probably needs swept anyways so scoot some of the saw dust over the puddle, broom it, and shoot it out the door.

 

[RU482]

I use this pan.

Have the same pan. HATE IT!!!!
Why does the drain tube point down? I get that it could potentially make draining slightly easier, but once the seal on that cap goes, plan on having to clean up oil every time you use it.

 

[microAmp]

Have the same pan. HATE IT!!!!
Why does the drain tube point down? I get that it could potentially make draining slightly easier, but once the seal on that cap goes, plan on having to clean up oil every time you use it.

I have that same one, love and hate it. The pour spout cap cracks easily or doesn't do a great job of hold the oil in when I'm driving it from my house to Autozone to reclaim the oil. I didn't mind when I had a pickup truck but now I have car and don't want the trunk getting oily.

I bought this. So I'll put into that big guy and hopefully it'll transport better. I have yet to use it but will find out in a month.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I must be wierd because I could care less if I spill some oil on the floor in a GARAGE. Probably needs swept anyways so scoot some of the saw dust over the puddle, broom it, and shoot it out the door.

Same here. I just wipe it up, spray a little simple green on it and rinse.

I have that same one, love and hate it. The pour spout cap cracks easily or doesn't do a great job of hold the oil in when I'm driving it from my house to Autozone to reclaim the oil. I didn't mind when I had a pickup truck but now I have car and don't want the trunk getting oily.

I bought this. So I'll put into that big guy and hopefully it'll transport better. I have yet to use it but will find out in a month.

Pour the oil back into the container it came in. Problem solved.

 

[vshah]

i use a nice catch pan like those that were posted. For the filter, I use a filter wrench to loosen it, then put a large zip-lock around it and unscrew it into that.

once you find a good point of reference for how far back to place your catch pan, you can do it with 0 spills.