Peek the Geek

I'm just wondering what others use under their repair stands to keep lubes and solvents from dripping on the floor. I used to have an absorbent mat I purchased at Colorado Cyclist (IIRC), but it needs to be replaced. Like most bike-specific items, I'm guessing there's a cheaper version out there somewhere. Home store? Auto store?

Thanks.

GlassWolf

one of my cats, more often than not.

BCRider

For some reason I seem to keep finding large boxes and I fold them out and use them as floor covering. The corrugated cardboard lasts a surprisingly long time and when it's really bad I just toss it.

Mind you I wipe up the worst of the dribbles rather than let them soak in.

Cyclist0383

An old blanket.

GlassWolf

the home car mechanic's bible right there lol
I use cardboard boxes flattened out for a creeper when I work on the Charger, and under anything that drips oil or grease etc.. you're completely right, that stuff soaks up anything but it never seems to penetrate to the floor.

I still want to do a U-Coat-It overing in my garage though.. that stuff is sweet. chem resistant, looks nice, etc.
When I move to SC this year, my next house's garage is getting an epoxy floor, first thing.

n4zou

Cardboard works very well if you change it out often. Oil can soak through it to the floor below if you don't replace it often. One way around the soak through problem is to glue plastic to the bottom of the cardboard. Just purchase a roll of plastic sheeting used for protecting floors and furniture when painting and glue it to the cardboard. The easiest way to do that is purchase a can of spray upholstery glue. Cut your plastic to fit the cardboard. Spray the glue on the plastic and cardboard, wait for it to become tacky following the directions on the can, carefully apply the plastic to the cardboard, you only get one shot at it as the glue will immediately set as you press the cardboard and plastic together.

HillRider

I work in our laundry room which has a vinyl tile floor so oil, etc won't soak in,

I just spread newspapers under the repair stand and use them to catch the occasional drips and any dirt or crud that falls off the bike.

jsharr

As I do not own a repair stand, I fear that there is just an endless void of longing under mine.

Wordbiker

Just some old yoga mats.

Since we have a dedicated bike shower with a wall-mounted clamp, the messier jobs get separated and the main stand floor stays pretty clean.

bikeman715

I use a mat made by Finshline. It come in 2 sizes . It can be found at biketoolsects.com . When it get full of oils and what ever takes it outside and wash it down with a hose, it be good as new.

curbtender

I have a rubber mat with a diamond plate design that wipes down easy. But when I disassemble things I use an old floor mat with a foam backing and turn foam up. It keeps items from bouncing away.

dedhed

Currently the opened up box from my new water heater. When that gets too bad I'll bring home some cardboard from work. We get some large packages that yield 4' X 8' sheets. I also have old steel refrigerator drawers in the basement & garage that I use for catching fluids when doing that stuff or oil changes. Most often I try to remove parts and use the parts washer at work.

rodrigaj

Plastic that comes in rolls. I get the thickest mil spec available. I lay it down over the whole work area. Wipe it clean after I work on it. Every 2 to 3 years I replace it. One roll last a lifetime.

I use the same stuff to cover my bike on the winter time trainer. I cut it into 4 pieces of various shapes and sizes and velcro them together. It keeps all of the sweat off of the bicycle.

BikeManDan

Old carpet someone was throwing away