Tools represent a significant cost of doing business, whether that cost is absorbed by a fleet, third-party repair vendor, or vehicle repair technician. When a tech’s trusty ratchet or wrench becomes rusted or worn from constant use or neglect, not only does individual productivity suffer, but the fleet’s performance can also be impacted.

Everyone knows that clean, functional tools get the job done better than dirty, broken ones, but in a busy shop, management and technicians laser-focused on uptime can lose sight of maintaining order and cleanliness. But every time a socket is hurriedly thrown into a dirty, oil -covered drawer, it makes it that much harder to find and attach to a ratchet. Maybe it’s so greasy it slips out of your hand and you have to spend a minute or two looking for it. 

Over time, that adds up to a net negative in productivity and unnecessary labor costs, both of which can be avoided by taking a moment to wipe off and correctly place the item.

This is a major reason why Estes Express Lines’ fleet services department has instituted a shop organization program. 

“We realized that keeping shops in order saves money,” said Mike Palmer, Estes’ VP of fleet services. “If a technician spends even ten minutes looking for a tool, the cost can add up quickly.”

According to Palmer, the program includes several requirements:

• All shop tools must be neatly arranged and labeled.
• Every tool must have a designated home.
• Toolboxes must be stored in designated areas when not in use.
• Toolboxes must remain neat and free from clutter.
• All tools stored in the shop must have a labeled “parking space.”
• Tools assigned to a bay must have a designated storage location that does not interfere with cleanup or workflow.
• Check lanes must be stocked with required tools that are properly labeled and stored.

An orderly shop is also a clean one, and that does not just mean sweeping floors and wiping counters. 

“The most experienced technicians know that a clean environment promotes a better diagnosis, repair, and customer experience,” said Christopher Boyce, regional VP for Coltrain Onsite Fleet Care, a mobile maintenance company.

Boyce recommended cleaning the worksite, tools, and components prior to repair “to eliminate any excessive exposure to vehicle fluids, grease, and dirt.” He noted field conditions increase tool wear and tear, so a consistent approach of “cleaning as you go” should ensure tools maintain longevity and performance, he said. 

The main goals of routine cleaning are to remove grease and grime, eliminate rust, thoroughly dry the tool, and apply protection to prevent future corrosion. And most often, this does not necessarily require specialized products.

“Using a simple degreaser or even automatic transmission fluid are great ways to clean metal components,” Boyce explained. “Lubricating moving components also helps keep tools ready for the next turn.”

Regular cleaning can also prevent the need for more intensive restoration work later. Ashley Szeremet, VP of marketing at FedPro, manufacturer of Tub O’ Towels, recommended cleaning hand tools after each use to prevent heavy buildup.

“The easiest way to clean is using a wipe,” Szeremet said. “If you use a 100% solution-soaked wipe that is extra-large in size, you can clean multiple surfaces, including hands.”

For Gerry Mead, VP of truck service at TravelCenters of America and former technician, consistency matters more than any single product.

“The simplest approach is wiping tools down daily with towels or microfiber cloths and using a mild cleaner,” Mead said. “It is fast, inexpensive, and prevents buildup, but it only works if you stay disciplined with it.

He cautioned against overly aggressive cleaning methods that can damage coatings, markings, or precision components.

“Look at tool care the same way you look at equipment maintenance,” Mead added. “If you stay ahead of it with simple daily habits, you avoid expensive problems later. Basically, tools are part of our livelihood in this industry. If you take care of them, they’ll take care of you. Clean, reliable tools help technicians work faster and safer. Neglecting them eventually costs time, quality, and money.”