NAPA Know How: How to Use an Oil Filter Wrench For An Easier Oil Change

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If it’s time for an engine oil change, you’ll need a few different tools and supplies. Gather new engine oil and a new oil filter, plus a wrench or socket for the oil drain plug, a drain pan and some rags for cleanup as well as safety gloves and glasses, too.

One other tool you’ll definitely need is an oil filter wrench, which comes in handy when a used oil filter doesn’t want to come off easily. Learn how to use an oil filter wrench so you can get the job done quickly and efficiently.

How to Use an Oil Filter Wrench

All oil filters and caps use right-hand threads — clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen. Some tools only grip counterclockwise for loosening. Several oil filter wrench types are available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses:

  • End Cap: End cap filter wrenches fit a single filter size. You fit the cap to the filter and use a ratchet or wrench to loosen it.
  • Claw: Universal claw-type wrenches have two or three claws that grip the oil filter. The more you turn the ratchet or wrench to loosen the filter, the tighter the claws grip. Spring-loaded claw wrenches tend to stay attached to the filter, freeing up your hands in tight spaces.
  • Band: A band wrench is simple to use and fits a range of filter sizes. It works in one direction, with a swivel handle to fit tight spaces; others are used with a ratchet or wrench. Try flipping it over if it doesn’t grip.
  • Strap: Strap wrenches use a flexible strap to grip the filter. Some have a handle, while others need a ratchet or wrench. Some strap wrenches grip in either direction. To use, clean the strap and filter to prevent slipping. Once the filter is loose, remove the strap before fully loosening the filter and removing it by hand. This prevents oil from soaking into the strap.
  • Pliers: Oil filter pliers spread the force over three or four points to improve grip and limit slip but need more clearance to use. Be sure to get a firm grip with your pliers before attempting to loosen the filter.
  • Chain: Chain wrenches wrap around the oil filter with extreme grip and are very effective. Some chain wrenches work in either direction.
  • Wrench or Ratchet: Some spin-on oil filters and canister filters have a hex or square lug or a hole. Use a wrench, ratchet or socket to loosen the filter for these.

Here’s How NOT to Use an Oil Filter Wrench

For the most part, don’t use an oil filter wrench to install an oil filter, which needs very little torque. Spin-on oil filters are tightened one-half to three-quarters of a turn after gasket contact. For canister filters, use the tool only to tighten until it contacts the base, then apply the correct torque with a torque wrench. Canister filters are sealed by an O-ring and overtightening could break them. Oil filter torque is light, usually 10 to 20 foot-pounds.

Always check your maintenance or repair manual for vehicle specifics before changing your oil. After the oil change, clean up and recycle the used oil. Auto parts stores and many repair shops accept used oil for recycling.

Check out all the car filters available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on oil filter wrenches, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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NAPA Know How: 10 Father’s Day Gift Ideas For The DIY Dad

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“I have too many tools” said no Dad ever. While dear old Dad may cringe at the sight of a new necktie, a new tool will always bring a smile. Most gearheads got their start borrowing their Dad’s tools to work on their childhood projects. Tools don’t just help fix broken things, they help connect generations. That’s why tools make such a great Father’s Day gift idea. We’ve put together a list of 10 tools and garage accessories that we think any Father would be happy to unwrap.

Screwdriver Set with Storage Rack

Screwdrivers have a way of disappearing over time. They are also one of the most used tools in Dad’s arsenal. From tightening hose clamps to changing batteries in toys, a good set of screwdrivers is always welcome. This screwdriver set includes five different drive types: (7) Phillips, (8) Slotted, (3) Poz, (5) Star, and (3) Square. The included storage rack helps Dad keep organized and makes it is easy to know when a tool is missing.

Heavy Duty Tool Tote

A good tool bag has many uses. Whether it is used for an emergency road trip toolbox, power tool storage, or a junkyard warrior portable tool chest, Dad is sure to put this heavy duty tool tote to good use. It features a solid metal transverse rod for strength so it won’t buckle when loaded down with cargo. The hard plastic bottom and exterior help keep its shape without losing the flexibility of a soft tote. Access is easy with the flip-top and interior storage pouches help keep things organized.

20-volt Cordless Drill

A good cordless drill is a must-have for a proper tool collection. Advances in battery technology have made cordless drills amazing powerhouses that can tackle even the toughest jobs without the hassle of dragging out an extension cord. This stout 20-volt lithium-ion cordless drill kit includes everything Dad needs to get the job done: drill, battery, battery charger, and carrying bag. And since it is part of the DeWalt family, it is compatible with an amazing array of additional tools and accessories.

Multi-Piece Socket Set

A socket set is a must for any DIYer. There are seemingly endless options for sockets, and having multiples of the same size is hardly ever a bad thing. It is great to have one set dedicated to the garage toolbox and another set for tossing in the trunk or tool bag. Of course having the right size ratchet drive makes a difference, which is why we picked these 1/4″ drive, 3/8″ drive, and 1/2″ drive socket sets for our list. The 1/4″ drive set is great for tight spaces and light duty jobs. The 3/8″ drive set is a great all-around size that can handle almost any job. When thing get tough there is no replacement for the strength of a 1/2″ drive set. The molded carrying case makes it easy to spot when that 10mm socket has gone missing…again.

Portable Air Compressor Kit

There’s no substitute for a portable air compressor. Not every job calls for the power of a shop size compressor, but there are also some jobs that are too big for a 12v mini compressor. That’s where having a portable compressor with a tank shines. Dad can air up the family bicycle fleet in no time before grabbing his nail gun to finish the deck. This compressor is rated at 2.6 SCFM @ 90 psi with a six gallon tank for plenty of capacity and fast recovery. The compact stacked design with easy carry handle make storage and transport a breeze. As a bonus it also includes an accessory kit with such necessities as an air hose, air blower, inflator, and even a pressure gauge.

Quick-Lift Aluminum Floor Jack

A good floor jack is a must for the well stocked garage. You don’t have to be training for a NASCAR pit crew to appreciate the time saved using a quick-lift jack. This aluminum and steel jack has a low-profile design to make it easier for Dad to get under his slammed hot rod. The jack handle has a foam cushion to help prevent paint damage during wrenching sessions. Dual rear swiveling casters make positioning the jack a snap. Don’t forget a good set of jack stands to go with it.

Ratcheting Wrench Sets

The right specialty wrench can save serious time when working on a project. These polished chrome 14-piece Gearwrench sets feature a standard open end on one side and a ratcheting box end on the other side. The ratcheting mechanism only needs as little as 5-degrees of movement to move a fastener. The flex-head wrench set feature a flexible box ends that tilt up to 180-degrees to get into hard to reach places. The reversible head wrench set features a compact reversing lever to allow changing direction without having to remove the wrench from the fastener.BK_FD19CAN Bluetooth Tin Can Speaker

Bluetooth Speaker

There’s something about wrenching in the garage that needs tunes. While that old 1970s 8-track on the shelf may still technically work, it is woefully behind today’s technology. This water-resistant bluetooth speaker not only looks cool, it is also packed with features. It has a long-life rechargeable battery so it can go anywhere Dad does. It also works as a speaker phone so Dad doesn’t have to worry about getting his phone dirty to answer a call.

Creeper Seat Detailing Rig

Help save Dad’s back with this rolling creeper seat made just for car washing and detailing. The 3″ tall casters make it easy to roll around while the seat cushion doubles as a knee pad. An integrated wash bucket means no more forgetting the soapy water on the other side of the car again. Detailing supplies fit easily in the bottle rack and storage tray, plus an all important cup holder for Dad’s favorite beverage.

LED Interior Light Kit

Jazz up Dad’s ride with a color changing interior light show! This LED interior light kit includes four 12″ long LED light strips, a Bluetooth smart hub , two 48″ long extension cables, two 100″ extension cables, and a 12-volt power adapter. The Bluetooth smart hub syncs to Dad’s phone via the Type S LED App for total lighting control. Choose from 49 solid colors and 8 lighting effect modes like strobe, music mode and more. Settings include brightness and effect mode speed as well as 10 memory presets to save Dad’s favorite settings.

Check out all the tools & equipment available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on Father’s Day gift ideas for the DIY Dad, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

 

 

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NAPA Know How: Know-How Notes: How to Treat Rust With WD-40 Rust Remover Soak

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Ask anyone what the biggest concern about their cars and tools is and the word rust is bound to come up often. Rust is unrelenting and there a hundreds of products on the market to prevent or slow its ever-present march of destruction. The problem is that once it starts, it is difficult to stop.

The most common solution is mechanical removal, which means sanding or grinding it off. This is fine for parts or tools being restored, but things that not so easily repaired such as chrome parts, tools, rare parts, and other items that just have a little rust starting to form. You need a better solution to remove the rust and leave the chrome or paint untouched. Enter WD-40 Rust Remover Soak.

This 100% non-toxic and biodegradable formula eats away the rust, leaving behind clean bare metal, which can then be treated to prevent future rust. It is safe for gaskets, chrome, and painted surfaces, all while being non-flammable and 50-state compliant, making this water-based solution perfect for anyone who faces the epidemic of rust.

When you have rusty tools and parts, their performance is reduced. Pliers stick, and scissors leave rust dust all over upholstery. Time to fix it.

WD-40 Rust Remover SoakUsing WD-40 Rust Remover Soak is easy, you just need to follow a few basic rules to ensure that the product gets the job done quickly and effectively. WD-40 Rust Remover Soak is reusable several times, so don’t worry about wasting the product. Used solution should be kept separate from unused solution, so don’t pour any used solution back into the bottle, simply store any used solution is a separate sealed container for future use. Once the solution becomes dark black, the effectiveness decreases and should be disposed of according to your local guidelines.

Getting Started

Prep the part or tool to be treated by removing any dirty, grease, oil, and loose debris with a detergent or degreaser. WD-40 Rust Remover Soak is most effective on clean metal.

We prepped the tools by taking them apart. The scissors simply unbolted, but the pliers cannot be separated, we just removed the rubber handles.

Fill a container that will hold the part(s) with enough soak to fully submerged it. WD-40 Rust Remover Soak comes in 1-gallon jugs and is available in a four pack. Do not dilute the solution.

The tools were placed in a plastic tray and covered with just enough WD-40 Rust Remover Soak to cover the rusty bits. Then we left it to soak overnight.

Place the item into the soak. How long it needs to be in the solution depends on the amount of rust. Light rust will be removed in as little as 30 minutes, while heavy rust scale can take 24 hours.

The longer you leave the parts in the soak, the darker the liquid becomes. When it is black, the performance decreases.

Once the rust is gone, the part needs to be rinsed and dried off completely. If there is rust remaining on the part, such as inside the pitted areas of heavily rusted items, re-soak and repeat the process.

Each part was removed and cleaned and dried.

 

The pliers are rust-free now. If we don’t protect the bare metal, they will just rust again.

Now that your parts or tools are rust free, you need to protect them. The rusted areas are bare metal, there is nothing to stop the rust from coming back, which can happen overnight. To protect your cleaned parts, spray them with WD-40 Original Formula for flash rust protection, or for long-term protection, use WD-40 Specialist Long-Term Corrosion Inhibitor. For painted parts, you can always simple repair with matching paint.

We used WD-40 Long-Term Rust Inhibitor to seal the metal so that it won’t rust up.

 

This stuff goes on pretty heavy, we wiped it down so that it doesn’t get all over the parts we are working on.

 

We took this opportunity to through a new coat of paint on the vintage Clauss upholstery scissors. Now they are ready to chop up some leather, stain-free

Rust is no fun, and often we just let it slowly eat away at our tools because it so hard to combat. WD-40 Rust Remover Soak is your new best friend in the battle against rust.

Check out all the chemical products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 16,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on WD-40 Rust Remover Soak, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

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