The workshop consumables checklist: what to keep on the shelf

Wiping and cleaning

The things that get used on every single job:

• Rags or wipes: a roll of paper workshop wipes on a wall dispenser plus a bag of cloth rags for the heavy work. Keep used oily rags in a covered metal bin
• Brake and parts cleaner: aerosol for brakes, clutches and quick spot cleaning. Buy by the carton; a bay goes through one can a day
• Degreaser: a water-based degreaser for engine bays, driveline parts and the floor, in a 5 or 20 litre drum with a spray bottle to decant into
• Hand cleaner: a pump pack of grit hand cleaner at the sink, and a tub of wipes on the bench for the quick clean between jobs
• Absorbent granules and pads: for the spill that is going to happen, kept where it will happen

Protection

What keeps the technician and the customer's car clean:

• Nitrile gloves: by the carton, in the sizes the crew actually wear. Nitrile over latex for oil resistance and fewer allergies
• Safety glasses and a spare pair, because the first pair is always on someone else's head
• Seat covers, floor mats and steering wheel covers in disposable packs, used on every car before anyone gets in
• Fender covers for the bodywork around the engine bay
• Ear plugs for air tools and the pressure washer

Fixing and fastening

The bits that hold things together and go missing:

• Cable ties: black UV-rated ties in 100, 200 and 300 mm for anything under the car, and natural ties for the interior
• Fasteners: an assorted kit of metric bolts, nuts and washers in the common sizes (M6, M8, M10) for the ones that were seized or dropped, plus a kit of trim clips and scrivets for the plastics that break on removal
• Hose clamps: a range of worm-drive clamps from 10 to 60 mm
• Crimp terminals and heat shrink in the common sizes, and a roll of electrical tape
• Thread locker, anti-seize and a tube of RTV silicone gasket maker
• Sump plug washers in the sizes the regular models take

Globes and fuses

A blown globe found on the safety check is a five-minute fix if the globe is on the shelf and a come-back if it is not:

• Headlight globes in the common H4, H7, H11 and HB3 fittings
• Wedge globes (T10, T15) for park, number plate and interior lights, and the bayonet types for stop and tail
• Indicator globes in both clear and amber
• Blade fuses in mini, standard and maxi, in a kit with the common amp ratings

Lubricants and sprays

The aerosols that live on the trolley:

• Penetrating spray for seized fasteners
• Silicone spray for rubber seals and plastic trim
• Multi-purpose lubricant for hinges, cables and linkages
• Contact cleaner for electrical connectors
• A grease gun loaded and a spare cartridge in the drawer

Keeping it stocked

The simplest system that works is two of everything: the one in use and the one behind it. When the one in use runs out, the spare comes forward and the item goes on the order. A whiteboard or a notepad by the consumables shelf, with a rule that whoever opens the last one writes it down, catches most of it. For the high-volume items, gloves, wipes, brake cleaner and cable ties, set a standing order so a carton arrives every fortnight or month without anyone having to think about it. Once a quarter, walk the shelf with the list above and tidy out what is not being used; a consumable that sits for a year is money on a shelf.

Buying consumables with the parts

Consumables are easiest to manage when they come with the rest of the order. Adding a carton of gloves and a box of brake cleaner to the weekly parts order means one delivery, one invoice and no separate trip to the hardware store at lunchtime. Trade customers can order on account, and the team can set up a regular order for the items a workshop goes through every week.