Reddit mentions: The best roller seats & creepers

Wheels can be the time consuming part, but the most fun.
My set-up for wheels & tires:

Tuf Shine Tire Brush:
This is better than Mother's Tire Brush, just does the job better. Obsessed Garage talked about it, it's bound to be good.

SuperClean Degreaser:
I like this one because the smell isn't as strong as Meguiar's Wheel Brightener, and I can use it for both wheel and tires at once. Scott from Dallas Paint Correction & Auto Detailing recommend this one and it's hard to look back after using it. Buy a small bottle first before buying a gallon to see if you like it.

Wheel Woolies:
I hesitated to spend $50 on these brushes, but after buying them I had no regrets. You don't get the splash back from other wheel brushes.

Black Wash Mitt:
I used to use this one but I find that using a black microfiber mitt for the face of the wheel and in between the spokes made it a lot faster, and you can get behind the spokes too. But that brush is useful for lug nuts though.

Creeper Seat: This is a nice to have if you're working on a flat surface. Nice to have but not a necessity.

Great technique. I'd say the only thing I'd add to your arsenal is something to sit on. Future you will thank present you. :)

I have this. Probably one of my best investments aside from the DA.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B000COC67E/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524070761&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=mechanic+seat+roller&dpPl=1&dpID=51mTq0RTAOL&ref=plSrch

Torin TR6300 Creeper Seat
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000COC67E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Well worth the $26 on amazon. Single best thing I have bought to use on long details the last few months. I do wish the wheels were a little larger to roll over cracks in the driveway a little better but still really nice.

I went with something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Lift-C-3001-Pneumatic-Chair-Capacity/dp/B0009EUA0M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494256827&sr=8-3&keywords=shop+stool

It doesn't adjust very much, but so far it has been ideal for any angle with my 8" dob. Also the little tool rack on the bottom is nice for stashing eyepieces and covers and the like while observing.

Edit: Wrong link

A friend had a creeper similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/ATD-Tools-81045-Convertible-Creeper/dp/B001AV18PO

As someone who's back and shoulders are wearing out. It is on my short list for the next time I have a garage. If a rolling cart is too big, a creeper seat with storage might be a good compromise.

Edit: fat fingers

https://www.youtube.com/user/1aauto

Good content that is easy to understand. That said Home car repair can be a nightmare. Get a GOOD jack and JACK STANDS. If you can get the car up high maybe get a cheap creeper or at least some padding to lay down on if you're under it. Wear eye protection. Have someone help if not only for extra hands but someone to call 911 if you manage to injure yourself.

This is a nice little combo at a pretty reasonable price.

Where did you find this pic? Cause googling "topside creeper" gave me an Amazon link to this exact product with this exact pic as it's first image.

https://www.amazon.com/Traxion-3-100-Foldable-Topside-Creeper/dp/B00QGXSODA

Thanks for letting me know this is a thing, I've wanted something like this for a while. Even at 6'2" it doesn't feel too nice having battery terminals or whathaveyou ground into my gut.

This one seems more comfortable: https://www.amazon.com/Traxion-3-100-FFP-Foldable-Topside-Creeper/dp/B00QGXSODA

A little out of left field since they're for auto work, but consider trying a creeper. I got one something like this for car maintenance, but have ended up using it for a ton of other things that normally require kneeling - I just sit on it instead, which takes the weight off the knees completely. You can sit on them flat to be lower, or put it in the seat position to be a little higher, but the ability to wheel around is the biggest plus, since you don't have to try shuffle around on your knees.

I believe you’re looking for a creeper like this one here https://www.amazon.com/Lift-Mechanic-Plastic-Creeper-Inch/dp/B07349PF36/ref=zg_bs_15707981_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S3PAWETK5NBQATM3W1K6

https://www.amazon.com/Traxion-3-100-FFP-Foldable-Topside-Creeper/dp/B00QGXSODA All ready on the market.

Kneel on the floor or I have a shop stool that I will kick around. If you want to something more convenient, I'd go with a small stool.

I did this at my last house before putting down hardwood floors and can't recommend it highly enough - it's one of the best quality of life improvements I made.

A couple of tips in addition to what OP said:

Once the carpet was up I found all the joists and marked them with a chalk line. This is optional, but meant I didn't have to look for existing nails every few inches... I could turn my brain off and just follow the chalk lines.

I screwed the decking down about every 6 inches. Before I started I cut a scrap piece of wood to that length so I didn't have to measure anything. Just throw the block down next to where your last screw was and screw right into the chalk line at that spot.

To save my knees I used a mechanic's creeping stool, like this. It's still hard on the back, but it helps.

It took me an entire Saturday, and over 450 screws to cover my master bedroom. But it was 100% worth the time investment.

Before putting down the hardwood I put down a quality underlayment - this also cut down on noise.

I am a 5'5" woman. My husband didn't believe there was such a thing when I told him I wanted a topside creeper for my birthday, so I'm still standing atop a Yeti cooler to reach the plugs on my Chevy truck.

Topside creeper for all my shorties out there.

Get him a creeper, for example https://www.amazon.com/Pro-LifT-C-9100-Foldable-Creeper-pounds/dp/B01GFZPNC8/

This is what I used on my F250.

Amazon Link

It was designed for working on pick-up trucks.

A bluetooth OBD 2 reader and an Android code reader.

Other than that, a creeper

A topside creeper is your answer.

I prefer the topside creeper.

https://www.amazon.com/Traxion-3-100-FFP-Foldable-Topside-Creeper/dp/B00QGXSODA

Traxion 3-100 Foldable Topside Creeper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QGXSODA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YwOsDb885ZBXN

Edit: I should mention I've not used that brand just wanted to show you the concept.

https://www.amazon.com/Traxion-3-100-FFP-Foldable-Topside-Creeper/dp/B00QGXSODA

Here is the link

You need one of [these] (https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Lift-C-2036D-Grey-Z-Creeper-Seat/dp/B00826OVWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499712224&sr=8-1&keywords=z+creeper).

Creeper.

I use this one, I'm a fat fuck and this one us comfortable and holds up. Also, it has 3 different positions. Can't recommend it enough.

https://www.amazon.com/Omega-91452-Black-Profile-Z-Creeper/dp/B007OAGMYW

Many years ago I was stuck in a "bad part" of Memphis. I pulled into a greasy spoon to to ask for directions and decided to get a bite to eat.

I was munching on my food watching out the window when I notice a van pull up on the street near a sport bike parked in a driveway.

Two big dudes jumped out the back, along with the driver and passenger. Two of them had what looked like pick handles.

They slid the axe handles under the front and rear rims, lifted the bike and put it into the van. They were gone in seconds. The forks were obviously locked, but I think it actually helped them.


Two guys can do the same thing with a creeper to load a bike quickly into a trailer/van/truck.

Take it from a guy who had a bike stolen...they'll get it if they want it.

I recently decided to upgrade from my 20 year old $15 Harbor Freight creeper, and based on a lot of reading on GarageJournal, I bought the Bone:

https://www.amazon.com/Enterprises-Bone-6031-Mechanics-Creeper/dp/B000051XJ1

I've only used it a couple of times, but so far so good.

My one complaint is it's a little hard to get out of, but I'm getting old so that may be more about me than the creeper.

Pittsburgh 301 pc tool set

For the 200 dollars I've spent on it, I've saved well over 1000. Keep in mind that they aren't the best quality bits, but they do have a lifetime warranty. I would buy a separate set of hex/torx bits if you commonly use those, they tend to strip out heads often. Get an anti rust spray and coat all of the tools-- especially the pliers and wrenches. Finally, the case sucks for holding the tools in if you move it around a lot, but it does the job of holding them all in.

I'd also buy an electronic ratchet wrench. I've saved so much time with one of these. I'm not sure which brand you prefer, but they can run between 100-150 dollars.

Sears-- as much as I hate Craftsman nowadays-- sells a pretty decent jack/stands set that is typically on sale for ~$110. Use the stands, and don't be a dumbass that ends up getting crushed by his vehicle. Too many posts about lazy people in r/MechanicAdvice getting killed lately. This is the set I'm talking about, but it's way cheaper at Sears. (I just hate navigating their website)

An impact screwdriver is a cheap tool that can save your ass with siezed bolts. Might be nice to have PB blaster on hand for those cases as well.

I went from not knowing how to change oil to changing my timing belt on my Audi A4 in about a year and a half. PM me if you have any questions.

Buy a mechanics creeper. Store it under bed. In case of emergency, pull it out, put one side against something so it won't move, and roll-roll-roll that body till you get it on the creeper enough to move them. Voila.

If you have stairs though, I can't help you there. You're fucked.