HOW TO CLEAN, SHINE AND PROTECT AN ARIENS SNOWBLOWER

[@jimmysgarage9068]

If I was a snowblower, I would want to live in your garage.

[@GarageGear]

Hahaha! Pampered to the EXTREME! Lol! If I was an air tool I would want to live in yours! 👍

[@mikehall9468]

I have a 10 year old Ariens Professional 28" blower and besides lubricating key areas and doing yearly maintenance I apply a coat of Nufinsh car polish to the machine every summer. I apply it everywhere including the interior of the hood and chute. The snow slides of easily and makes cleanup after blowing simple. The blower looks as good as the day I purchased it.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing Mike!

[@jaybooth4815]

This popped up on my U-Tube home page so I had to watch it JB! Great information and reminders! Your neighbor should definitely appreciate that great cleaning and lubrication you did n his machine. Cheers buddy!

[@GarageGear]

Awesome my friend! Every machine could always use a good once over. He was happy how it turned out. Enjoy the rest of your week bud! 👍

[@pcast1115]

Great video! I don't have an Ariens but I am certain my Toro snowblower will appreciate me using these great tips to keep it running in top condition!

[@GarageGear]

Thanks Paul! Yep these tips are great for any snowblower! Thanks for watching my friend! 👍

[@edrumsas5420]

As always very informative.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks a lot Ed! Plenty more snowblower content coming your way! Thanks for being an awesome fan of the channel! 👍

[@wayneb123am]

I wish I would have done this to my John Deere TRS 32, it is rusty everywhere, augers, blower housing, it runs well but I neglected it. Here in Wisconsin you may use a snowblower 7-10 times a year, so they last a long time without much use, I do change the oil between seasons. I will use your ideas, thanks for posting.

[@GarageGear]

Give them a shot Wayne and let me know how it works out for you! Thanks for watching!

[@scottmurphy4946]

I just got a new Ariens 28 inch deluxe blower, looks like I found the right video for matainace tricks beyond the badics

[@GarageGear]

Rock on Scott!!! Thanks for watching my friend!

[@kirkthebeerslinger]

Good video as usual JB! Can't argue with success! At the end of the season I degreased my 2-stage and when dry used rust paint on any bare metal spots on scraper bar/housing/auger... otherwise same same! Cheers from Canada...Merry Christmas!

[@GarageGear]

Thanks Kirk! These are time tested strategies that I learned long ago! That’s smart to use rust paint too! Given the cost of these things (especially nowadays) you gotta keep them around for a bit! Thanks for being an awesome fan bud! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@kevinmurray4181]

What do you recommend to clean the interior black grease residue on the machines interior that you see when removing the belly pan. Thanks for your video

[@GarageGear]

I would clean the belly pan out. Get as much out as can. WD-40 would probably pull it off.

[@WholeFoodPlantPeople]

That was fantastic! This is exactly the education I needed for my snow blower / thrower / whatever the hell it is.

[@GarageGear]

Glad you found it useful! Thanks for being a cool fan!

[@sharatpsasi]

Awesome video!! Question - where should and shouldn't one use wd-40 and liquid wrench? I see that you use different products at different places. Can wd-40 be used all around for moisture proofing? Thanks!!!

[@GarageGear]

I’ve used wd40 all over my snowblowers for years. I just don’t spray in any areas require heavy grease because it can deteriorate it. But for protecting any metal surface and general lubrication it works well. Thanks for watching Sharath!

[@richaquino4968]

Thanks , great video always enjoy you have the best information I have seen.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for the positive feedback Rich! Appreciate you! Thanks for watching!

[@shsechas]

Thank You!!! Have the same Ariens machine. Great tips. Had to clean the carb real good after started surging last year. Works good now. 10 years old.

[@GarageGear]

Ariens makes a great machine. They are not tough to work on either. Nice work fixing yours. A quick tune up goes a long way! Thanks for watching Chasbro!

[@mattbannon7657]

Will start hitting mine with the Fluid Film great idea, I live in Syracuse and we get about 124 inches of snow a year when I have finished snow blowing, I hit my machine with the leaf blower before I bring it back into the garage and a couple of times throughout the day as it melts off, helps prevent water from sitting on it and rust from forming. Great ideas thanks for sharing.

[@GarageGear]

Matt, fluid film is awesome stuff! Great idea with the leaf blower. I have a heavy backpack blower so doing this all the time for me isnt always feasible. If I had a lighter one I totally would steal this idea. I typically snowbrush it off bring it in and put a space heater up to it to melt anything inside. Happy snowblower season to you In Syracuse. Thanks for sharing!

[@mattbannon7657]

@@GarageGear where did you get your Liquid Wrench silicone spray, went to Harbor Freight, Lowes, Auto Zone & HD and no one had it?… thanks… got the Liquid Film though gonna hit it tomorrow and then pray for snow lol

[@GarageGear]

@@mattbannon7657 I grabbed mine off of Amazon. I have it linked in the description for you. I did the same thing as you. Went everywhere and no one had it. 👍 Great stuff!

[@mattbannon7657]

@@GarageGear unavailable will keep looking

[@GarageGear]

@@mattbannon7657 here’s another good one to check out. Just a smaller can. amzn.to/33Sk9CR

[@johnoberg5084]

Thanks for pointing out the places to clean and protect my Ariel’s snowblower. My muffler cage looks a little rusty. I’ll try using a very light coat of ATF unless you recommend otherwise.

[@GarageGear]

Hey John! You could also try wd40 on that muffler cage. Just coat it lightly as they do get hot. Thanks for watching my friend!👍

[@TommyG11814]

Great advice here.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks Tommy! Appreciate the positive feedback!

[@garydunnjr8176]

As always, good information! I’ll pick up some fluid flim, noticed after your video I too have some rust forming. Have a Merry Christmas JB and the garage babe🎄🎄

[@GarageGear]

Thanks Gary! YOU DA MAN! Spray that snowblower down and stop rust in its tracks! Merry Christmas to you and Paula! 👍🧩

[@steveb2528]

WD-40 is good for lubing but it attracts dust. It has an oily surface. I prefer the silicone an the engine and control areas. I also use tire shine on my plastics. It’s not oily and dries completely. Great video for keeping your snowblower along time.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing Steve!

[@smallblock412]

A personal call-out 👍🍻😁. Fluid film is an excellent product. Have also been using it on my machines.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for being an awesome fan Smallblock! It’s people like you that keep the wheels on this channel spinning! 👍

[@kjell-richardlvdal373]

Great walk through, i also take of the two wheel and grease the axle

[@GarageGear]

Awesome! I did that in another video on my unit! Thanks for watching!

[@dayvsea]

I'm down with the vid and got some good tips.. I might have told peeps to jack the rig and low spin the tires with the clips off, and remove the tires. Then clean the axles with WD and scotchbrite.. Clean off, coat with Boeshield or anti seize, and put back on.. The axle was where that rust on the wheel was coming from, and it's quite common to have wheels seize on the shafts, then your repair/tire replacement option are very limited.. Kudos on a cool channel..

[@GarageGear]

Yes definitely a great tip here! Thanks for sharing and for checking out the channel Dayvsea! 👍

[@ranacherian]

Surface shield also works

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing

[@michaelmiller6843]

Great video! Can the same concepts be applied to a lawnmower? Such as spraying silicone on the painted metal surfaces?

[@GarageGear]

Hey Michael, indeed they can. I did a whole series on how to make your lawn mower last a lifetime! Here is a video on protecting it. The SECRET To A RUST FREE LAWN MOWER kzbin.info/www/bejne/moSpend-fMlqrNU thanks for watching!

[@michaelmiller6843]

@@GarageGear Thank you! Now I know what I am watching next! 😊

[@GarageGear]

@@michaelmiller6843 ROCK ON Michael! 👍

[@slange]

Great videos. My snowblower is a little beat up. I’m gonna try some of these tips

[@GarageGear]

Go for it bud! You can the snowblower around in no time with these tips!

[@bobjohnson2756]

Other videos you spray wd40 inside to prevent sticking snow. Here you use silicone - liquid wrench. Do you have a preference?

[@GarageGear]

Great Question Bob! Both are great options and both offer tons of protection. I’ve mainly used wd40 over the years because it’s readily accessible. And even finding the silicone online can be tricky. The liquid wrench does have a wide fan spray (much wider than the wd40) and covers areas quicker. Therefore I use less. With wd40 I have to keep spraying much longer. Wd40 costs less but you use more. Silicone costs more but you use far less. In terms of spreadability silicone is the winner. Hope this answers your question Bob! Thanks for being cool fan! 👍

[@tomcervenka7404]

My dad buys wd40 in a gallon jug, then they give you a sprayer just like a bottle of 409. You might get better coverage if you went that way, although it's easy to go a little overboard.!

[@philschonig430]

Great video! My new Ariens Deluxe 24 snowblower was delivered last Friday, but was damaged during shipment; replacement ordered. I plan to follow your advice to keep my Ariens in top condition for many years. I am planning to use Griots Ceramic auto wax on the exterior painted surface and spray silicone on the interior parts.

[@GarageGear]

Your snowblower is gonna love you! Thanks for watching Phil!

[@marklorden1]

Great video, JB! Thanks for sharing…

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching my friend!

[@donnovicki9771]

For my Deluxe 28 I've gone to spraying everything with PAM. It's pure vegetable coating, and while it may not last quite as long as some of the other products you mention, it's not at all harmful to the environment. The PAM seems to lubricate well and does a nice job. You should try it. Great vid.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing don

[@felipin0709]

I wouldn't advise using any type of vegetable oil on moving parts. Vegetable oil gets sticky and crystalizes over time and will put stress on machines that actually need lubrication. With that said, if it is only used on non moving parts of the machine, you should be fine, just know that dust particles will stick to it if it's not covered up during summertime when most people don't have to use their snow blowers

[@felipin0709]

Also, vegetable oil will get a yellowish tint over time too, kind of like the yellow stains you get on cooking pans and pots when the oil is over heated into them

[@lilpap974]

Love the video! Should any bolts etc sprayed with fluid film be wiped off after spraying?

[@GarageGear]

You could hit those as well. I would leave the fluid film on the skid bolts you’ll want a thicker barrier there!

[@BigDaddysGarage]

The Fluid Film then the Lucas marine grease... Did we just become best friends?!?

[@GarageGear]

Yup!… Wanna go play karate in the garage?

[@BigDaddysGarage]

@@GarageGear 😂😂😂

[@GarageGear]

@@BigDaddysGarage merry Christmas my friend!

[@kiddbrother3]

great job!! 👍👍 there are 2 Bearing Flanges on the side just about axles could be lube too!

[@GarageGear]

Good tip! Thanks for sharing Tim!

[@nrvakharia]

One of the best series of videos I have found on YT. Your videos are to the point, provide clear instructions, have product recommendations based on your personal use, provide practical information. And, you throw in some humor as well :). So, thank you for sharing your knowledge. One question: what type of grease do you use to lube the pinion shaft and auger shaft using the zerk connector? Thanks.

[@GarageGear]

Appreciate all the positive feedback nrva! I use red and tacky grease for those applications! Thanks for watching my friend!

[@Monza62000]

fluid film great stuff

[@GarageGear]

Absolutely! Been using it for years! Thanks for watching Craig!

[@tylervos7189]

Would the WD-40 Silicone spray work the same as the silicone spray you use? Thanks.

[@GarageGear]

Wd40 will get the job done! Works just fine! Thanks for watching Tyler!

[@brandonmccoy8769]

Great work! Definitely Top Notch!! Have you heard or used Surface Shield by PB Blaster?

[@GarageGear]

Hey Brandon! Have heard of it an heard good things about it but never actually used it! Heard it’s good for undercoating! Have you tried it out? Thanks for watching!

[@brandonmccoy8769]

@@GarageGear Just applied it this month, we will find out !

[@GarageGear]

@@brandonmccoy8769 cool! Let me know how it holds up!

[@GenericYouTubehandle910]

In another video, you used Lucas Red n' Tacky to lubricate the auger shaft. Would that work for the chute gear control mechanism?

[@GarageGear]

Hey Generic! Yes that would work perfectly! Thanks for watching!

[@GenericYouTubehandle910]

@@GarageGear Do you have a preference between Red n' Tacky and Marine grade grease for snowblower application? Or does it depend on which parts of the snowblower you are trying to lubricate?

[@GarageGear]

@@GenericKZbinhandle910 I have yet to see any negative issues using either grease in any snowblower application. Many shops use red and tacky grease. Mainly in augers. In my experience, either one works fine. Whenever I’m filming with one it’s because that’s what I have available at the moment.

[@Democreous]

I usually use Silicone for plastic and rubber conditionings and WD40 for metal... not the other way around. Dielectric grease for wire connections.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing!

[@livenhfree]

Hey, quick question: what is the reason for using WD40 (6:05) on the panels instead of Liquid Wrench Silicone Spray as used on the front exterior (4:46)? Thanks! Great stuff. I'm a nerd for this stuff just like you are. :-)

[@GarageGear]

Hey Mani! Wd40 is cheaper. My thought process is this. You want the good stuff (silicone) inside and the the cheaper stuff on the outside. Either one will offer good protection and slickness. But some of these products are expensive. We can need out on this stuff all day. Lol! Thanks for watching!

[@livenhfree]

@@GarageGear Good advice. Thanks!

[@DanCerveny]

Due to neglect, my 14-year-old Ariens snow blower looks like your neighbor's blower. The biggest issue is the significant rust around the lower rim of the auger housing. This occurred because, for many years, I allowed the blower to sit in a puddle of water in the garage as the snow melted off of it. Now there is a bunch of rusty concrete in the garage. I would really like to prevent any further rusting, plus seal the current rust so it does not continue to rub off on the concrete. I might pick up a can of the Fluid Film you touted in the video. Hopefully, that will do the job. Thanks.

[@GarageGear]

Fluid film is awesome stuff and worth every penny! Really helps things last! I’ve even undercoated my truck with it before!

[@DanCerveny]

​@@GarageGear I just sprayed the rusty areas of my snow blower with fluid film. It leaves a bunch of goo all over it. Do I just wipe off as much of the excess goo as I can and call it good?

[@GarageGear]

@@DanCerveny take a rag and wipe everything down. Fluid film is super protective but has a odd spray pattern. Simply wipe it down it will look really nice when your all done!

[@js12278]

Fluid Film !!!!

[@GarageGear]

It’s awesome stuff my friend! Let me just say this! If I see rust anywhere, on Anything, I’m pretty much spraying fluid film on it! Lol! 👍

[@js12278]

@@GarageGear have you tried Fluid Film in black? I buy Woolwax black by the gallon and spray the underside of my 2018 Ram. It looks amazing. These products are awesome! Have a Merry Christmas!

[@GarageGear]

@@js12278 I have not tried the fluid film black yet. Heard good things. To be honest I’m surprised something like this didn’t come out a while ago. I’ll have to give it a shot sometime. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@davestuart6593]

Good stuff

[@GarageGear]

ROCK ON DAVE! 👍

[@ragequitgamingfunski3949]

Awesome video! Just picked up a brand new blower and going to use these products to protect it!

[@GarageGear]

That blower is going to last a really long time!!! Thanks for watching Rage!

[@ragequitgamingfunski3949]

@@GarageGear thanks got a Remington 2410 Durango. I plow my elderly neighbors drive way apparently my craftsman 8/25 with a Tecumseh 8hp is not big enough so they ordered me the Remington..

[@GarageGear]

@@ragequitgamingfunski3949 awesome my friend! Let me know how you like! Excited to hear how you like it.

[@ragequitgamingfunski3949]

@@GarageGear Its a piece of junk! The bearings for the friction shaft float in the holes on the side of the machine and push in and out with gear change. The friction shaft and friction disc hex have play. The shaft is spec'd at .8125 across flats but measures .809 and the friction disk is spec'd at .8180. I can get a .009 feeler gage between them. I was told the bearings are supposed to float in the housing lmao and that all of this is normal. Didnt realize an outer race of a bearing is supposed to turn counter clockwise while the inner turn clockwise but you know as someone who is a tool and die maker/machinist and has machined brearing surface before what would i know.

[@GarageGear]

@@ragequitgamingfunski3949 oh wow sorry to hear this. You really know your stuff though

[@pantag2]

Can't you use Fluid Film to coat all the exterior metal surfaces? Why Silicone?

[@GarageGear]

Both work great! Silicone spray helps things slide better.

[@pietro2221000]

Can you Fluid film the whole thing? what's the difference with silicone?

[@GarageGear]

You could fluid film the whole thing if you wanted to. Silicone dries faster and doesn’t creep into areas as well. Good slick surface though!

[@robertkreachbaum4546]

Great job as always JB! I suspect that you will be using your snow blower soon there in Buffalo.

[@GarageGear]

Hey Robert, thanks bud! We’re destined to get some snow here at some point. Snowblower is armed and ready! How about you?

[@DanielMahlum]

Any particular ATF type?

[@GarageGear]

In my experience really any kind will work!

[@familydogg1234]

I was unaware about wd40 sprayed on wheels. I saw some " Tire spray snow repellent"- does that work??

[@GarageGear]

Hey dogg not sure! I haven’t heard of this product before. I’ll look I to it! Thanks for sharing!

[@chrisddenis]

Can I apply Fluid Film to all parts of the snowblower?

[@GarageGear]

You could but I would spread it with a towel! Thin wind thick sticks. Keep a thin coat on it.

[@chrisddenis]

@@GarageGear What does "Thin wind thick sticks" mean?

[@GarageGear]

@@chrisddenis sorry miss spelled that. Thin wins thick sticks. It’s an old saying. Not much can stick to a thin coat of fluid film. If you use a thick coat stuff can stick to it.

[@buff10751]

could you do a cleaning demo on Ariens pro path 21 SSRC

[@GarageGear]

Sure if I get my hands on one. Thanks for watching buff!

[@marklorden1]

Hey JB. Quick question: have you ever experimented with modifying the impeller blades with pieces of stiff rubber to improve their overall function? TIA!

[@GarageGear]

Yep did a few videos on that and another coming soon! Stay tuned! Thanks for watching Mark!

[@wh07016]

I use Gibbs that the best product you can use !!!

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing

[@SpaceCadet4Jesus]

Your video gave me an epiphany for another use. Following your instructions I coated over every crevice, crack, wrinkle, and wear point and sure enough, you were right, 10-15 years of use just vanished. After that, my wife stormed off to the shower. I don't know what she's mad about. Should I have slid cardboard underneath her first?

[@GarageGear]

Hahahahahahaha!!! Yeah they usually get mad if any drips are spotted on the floor! Lol! Fluid film can make anything look like new! 👍😂

[@scottmurphy4946]

Ha

[@freetolook3727]

Mustie uses WD-40 to wipe down everything. Looks good and repells water.

[@GarageGear]

Yep that works well too! Thanks for watching freetolook!

[@TecumsehRulesbcserk]

One problem I have with Ariens snowblowers has to do with their auger bearings. The bearing seems to wear out easily over time and it can cause the auger and impeller to run rough and over time they will seize. It’s a cheap part made overseas and you can order and replace it.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing my friend! Good tip!

[@TerryKucala]

WD silicone and what was the last

[@GarageGear]

Fluid film?

[@williamdarico2369]

The old ones from the 70s and 80s are tough ass hell I had and still have 2 of them the new ones aren’t built as rugged sad to say.

[@GarageGear]

I totally agree William! Stronger materials and better paint really are what make those things last. I would like to find one of those in decent shape in my area and tinker with it here on the channel. I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for watching!

[@Clemson-rc2yq]

I used wd40 and my decals on my dash came off what Am I supposed to do to put them back on

[@GarageGear]

Wd40 pulled off your decals? Wow. Never seen that before. Could super glue or epoxy them back on. Thanks for watching Kayden!

[@Clemson-rc2yq]

@@GarageGear yes it was weird It’s a 2011 for it’s old I have a friend who owns a decal shop he going to make me some for like 10 bucks

[@GarageGear]

@@Clemson-rc2yq not a bad way to fix it!

[@Clemson-rc2yq]

@@GarageGear yep thanks love your vid’s

[@GarageGear]

@@Clemson-rc2yq appreciate it Kayden! 👍

[@88omarz]

How do you fix the chute if you oil to prevent rust,now it doesn’t come up and down? 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@GarageGear]

Hey Omar. I’m a little confused by your question. Typically oil helps keep things moving. What seems to be the specific problem with your chute?

[@88omarz]

@@GarageGear that’s what I thought. And when I placed the oil down the cable as shown in the video. After that when I moved the arm back and forth the chute position wouldn’t change. I can move it manually with my hand and it goes up and down but it is almost as though the cable isn’t being pulled.

[@GarageGear]

@@88omarz ok Omar, is the cable still connected at both ends? It is connected to the chute and to the control lever?

[@88omarz]

@@GarageGear it is still connected. It will bring the chute down but not up.

[@GarageGear]

@@88omarz ok what model snowblower do you have?

[@kiddbrother3]

hello sir! I was researching & found sells an Ariens part# 72406500 - Weight Kit · 10 lb. front weight kit · Mounts on top of auger housing · Includes weight bar hardware and instructions. But $70😲😲! I'm going to make my own 23" X 6" 1/4" thick plate steel & some nuts & bolts & spray paint drill 2 holes I have a snotek already drilled & paint it black!!

[@GarageGear]

Nice! Save some money! That’s a lot of money for some extra weight. I made drift cutters for mine out of some old steel plates. Drilled some holes and painted them black. Saved about $40. Handy to have too! Gotta save some money on these things as they are pretty expensive to begin with!

[@shahrokhnaqvi9613]

WD-40 white lithium grease is effective only down to -18C (-0.4F), whereas WD-40 silicone lubricant is designed to work down till -35C (-31F). Would it not be more straightforward to use fewer products by sticking with just silicone lubricant in the chute gears, the base of the chute and for the rest of the snowblower surfaces including the plastic housing (since silicone lubricant is ok to use on plastics)? Fluid film on the nuts, bolts, rust prone areas of course, but other than that why not keep it simple and just use one product for everything?

[@GarageGear]

You could use one product or many doesn’t hurt to use a variety!

[@shahrokhnaqvi9613]

@@GarageGear Hmmmm. Could I get away with using Fluid Film or such on the chute gears and base? I just wanna keep it simple as much as possible.

[@GarageGear]

@@shahrokhnaqvi9613 yes you could. Fluid film does lubricate as well!

[@shahrokhnaqvi9613]

@@GarageGear You might find this study on corrosion prevention products by the Canadian military interesting, specifically figure 4.

[@GarageGear]

@@shahrokhnaqvi9613 send it over and I’ll check it out! Thank you!

[@mikalpechota770]

I take my wheels off and use anti seize on them.

[@GarageGear]

Definitely a good tip! I do the same here! Thanks for watching!

[@junyiyang298]

diff

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching

[@mikearbon6196]

That's to much work for me...most of it anyway

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching

[@skiprope536]

Your Ariens looks like crap. It is a rust bucket. It’s a snowblower meant to get wet. Junk.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulmysliborski4832]

@@GarageGear His name should be "Skip Dope". 😂