Does your back hurt when you work on the bumpers, rocker panels, wheels?

[Nick T.]

Mine sure does! I’d like to hear what tricks you may have to ease the back strain and pain when detailing the lower areas of your car.

[alee]

Originally posted by Nick T.
Mine sure does! I’d like to hear what tricks you may have to ease the back strain and pain when detailing the lower areas of your car.
One thing that seems to help using a Creeper (http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=38806).

http://www.griotsgarage.com/images/products/lg/38806_LG.jpg

The Griot's one isn't extremely well made, but it serves its purpose. If I still had a way to wash my car in my driveway, I'd probably replace it with some sort of adjustable height one.

[Kaz]

I use that Griots seat quite a bit (and I think it's very well built; SnapOn OEMs the same unit. You should see the garbage clone that Harbor Freight sells...), but when I need to get all the way down to the wheels, I just sit on the concrete.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

I like using my creeper. Makes life MUCH more pleasant.

Especially since I picked wheels that are actually harder to clean than my style 73s... :banghead:

[Pinecone]

The easiest way is to get a lift and raise the wheels and rockers up to you. :D

[alee]

Originally posted by Kaz
I use that Griots seat quite a bit (and I think it's very well built; SnapOn OEMs the same unit. You should see the garbage clone that Harbor Freight sells...), but when I need to get all the way down to the wheels, I just sit on the concrete.
I guess I'm biased because the first one came with the seat DETACHED. The second one came with the seat attached, but the drawer didn't come out because of the way the seat was drilled to the frame. And a 3rd one came without me asking for a 3rd one, which was ok.

So I have 3. And only 1 of them is good.

[Guest84]

I use my legs to lift with, and to "squat" with, rarely do I bend over, since a nurse many years ago told me the cure to a bad lower back...its called "Prevention" :)

I use a short stepping stool when I do my wheels.

[sp330i]

Originally posted by alee
One thing that seems to help using a Creeper (http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=38806).

http://www.griotsgarage.com/images/products/lg/38806_LG.jpg

The Griot's one isn't extremely well made, but it serves its purpose. If I still had a way to wash my car in my driveway, I'd probably replace it with some sort of adjustable height one.

I got a similar one for about half the price from Pepboys. It doesn't have the drawer though. I use it everytime I detail the car. Its great!

[jw]

I use a creeper of sorts. It's called an old cooler. Works just fine. Holds a cold beer for me too!

[alee]

Originally posted by jw
I use a creeper of sorts. It's called an old cooler. Works just fine. Holds a cold beer for me too!
:lmao: If it's red and has a Ferrari scuderia shield on it, I'm sure Richard Griot could find a way to market your cooler creeper for $1000 each, with limited edition serial numbers. :D

[Nick T.]

Originally posted by alee
:lmao: If it's red and has a Ferrari scuderia shield on it, I'm sure Richard Griot could find a way to market your cooler creeper for $1000 each, with limited edition serial numbers. :D <CENTER> :lmao: <IMG SRC=http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/images/roflmao.gif> :nono: <IMG SRC=http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/images/roflmao.gif> :nono: <IMG SRC=http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/images/roflmao.gif> :nono: <IMG SRC=http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/images/roflmao.gif> :nono: <IMG SRC=http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/images/roflmao.gif> :nono: <IMG SRC=http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/images/roflmao.gif> :lmao: </CENTER>

[postoak]

Try a "back brace". You can buy them from a chiropractor's office or from an ad in a golf magazine. They're about $40. Not really a brace, it's just a very strong, adjustable, elastic. I don't use mine for work on the car but it is super for washing my dogs or painting baseboard.

[jw]

Originally posted by alee
:lmao: If it's red and has a Ferrari scuderia shield on it, I'm sure Richard Griot could find a way to market your cooler creeper for $1000 each, with limited edition serial numbers. :D

LOL... it is red. :D

[Pinecone]

Originally posted by postoak
Try a "back brace". You can buy them from a chiropractor's office or from an ad in a golf magazine. They're about $40. Not really a brace, it's just a very strong, adjustable, elastic. I don't use mine for work on the car but it is super for washing my dogs or painting baseboard.

Back braces have been found to not realy do anything to help. In fact they may hurt is not properly fitting.

In occupational safety and health we are recommending AGAINST back belt use.

[ed325i]

I squat when I work on my car's lower area. Then again, at 5'8", I am shorter than most of you. Stretching prior to working on the car may help too.

Ed

[postoak]

Back braces have been found to not realy do anything to help. In fact they may hurt is not properly fitting.

I must strongly disagree. The difference is night and day! With it on - no pain. With it off -- pain. And what's to fit? They're elastic!