Wheel washing kills my lower back

Hi Guys,

Wheel washing really hurts my lower back after extended periods of cleaning. I have the lowest-profile rolling chair I can get my hands on but it often doesn't put me low enough to clean the entire wheel (comfortably). It makes my lower back really sore the next day

Does anybody have any solutions or methods that work for you when you're doing your wheel and wheel well cleaning? I was thinking about buying a Racatac (preferrably with the chest support) but I wanted to get some feedback or some ideas before investing in such a pricey chair.

Thanks,
Emile

 

Are you looking to buy something / have you exhausted all your posture changes?


Best thing to do is to not "catcher" squat. When you do this you have force any extra motion from your lowerback, presumably why you are so sore.

The best thing to do is change your posture overall. Ideally you want to keep a neutral spine(think flat), and get a little pelvic stabilization so that the accessory motion of the lowerspine doesnt translate into bending which will cause pain.

Grab a kneeling pad and position yourself on one knee, with one leg up, one hand on the wheel or tire. Keeping your chest up and your back flat, think swimsuit model with her back to the camera, you should be able to comfortably get close just by leaning, not bending closer to the wheel as you need. The trailing leg of a lunge will keep your pelvis stabile, with a slight anterior tilt. Though obviously your lunge doesn't need to be this spread.
(Also, you wouldnt believe how many photos I had to go through over the net to find a pleasant one that gave the exact example of positioning)
Like this:


The guys here that do 10-16 hour detailing days will tell you the more time you spend OUT of a bent position, the longer you will be able to without that nasty pain. A net of 0 bend over the course of the day will keep you in great shape.

A racatac won't save the crappy positioning(though may lessen the "work" required for posture) if you don't learn to correct it now.

I spent a lot of time in another life doing injury rehabilitation, strength and conditioning with a formal edu in physiology. Postural correction is the key to longevity in this trade if you care anything about your back(amongst other body parts)

 

I'm with you on lower back pain. Those adjustable chairs on wheels will not get low enough for wheel and tire cleaning. Get a fixed low profile step stool (rubbermaid).

 

It is really odd, but I also find using a rolling chair to do any type of extended period work, whether it's polishing lower sections, or anything else on the lower half of the vehicle, to be more fatiguing than not using a chair.

The picture Mike posted is great and it really does work. It's even better if you have knee pads or a pillow or something for your knee if you are in the garage polishing and whatnot.

 

Sit on the floor? It's free.

 

That's not good for your lower back.

 

Can't be worse than bending over while sitting on a stool. I sit on the floor all the time when doing the lower portion of a car. :/

 

The kneeling on one knee with a pad is a good idea. I do that. I bought a waterproof pad at either home depot or lowes on the cheap. Look in the gardening section.

 

I use a kneeling pad and kneel down on both knees. No back pain whatsoever.

 

I think we should have a sticky on detailing ergonomics, I visited Bryan while he does details and he always sits on the floor and I use the same model to do lower sections(Rockers, lower bumper and wheels) I don't find it uncomfortable off course your work pants will get very dirty. If your think sitting on the floor isn't a proper method then kneeling pad and get some foam to conform to your behind(derriere)... just don't bend over to much when scrubbing the wheel barrel or trying to get to close to the car while putting more then a 5 deg tilt on your spine....

 

On both knees with good knee pads works best for me.

 

+2 with the guys that get on both knees with good knee pads or a foam pad.

You can find some really nice flexible, soft, knee pads at Home Depot now that work great. I use them all the time, and never have back issues. They are ribbed on the outside and have a flat foam pad inside with flexible rubber straps that are adjustable and flex easily when you bend your knees. Knees never hurt either, and in this position, I can kneel anywhere in front or to the side of the object I want to clean and get maximum effort. I went over there and tried a bunch of them on and found these to be the best for this kind of work.

I believe that it is a given that when you are on your knees, your posture is going to be straighter - did I read this somewhere or what??

Dan F

 

I am 49 years old doing cars since 1987, 1994 officially. Jeff and I had this very conversation last night as I told him to work from your armpits to your waist, kneeling on a pad with one knee or both if you do not have a lift like I do is best and even though my apron looks silly it keeps me from bending or going to pick up bottles/towels or walking to retrieve them constantly through out the day...................it will save 2HOURS total on the correction trust me on this.

The best advice is start working out, as the stronger and more flexable you are...........................

 

Here is a pic from the old shop doing the do as claimed.

 

if this was posted anywhere else ............... :giggle:

 

What if you had bad knees (no joke)?

 

go to any hardware store and get this...........


Shop 29.88" x 17.4" Furniture Dolly at Lowes.com


they come in various sizes, get one. fasten a piece of ply wood to it, and you can now sit on it and roll around the car at about 3"s off the ground. That is what I use and have been using for many years. Cost me 10.00 at harbor freight.


I have a blown out knee injury from the police academy and its a life saver.......

 

Amazon.com: RACATAC - KNEELING TOOL FOR THE PROFESSIONAL: Automotive

a little more pricey version, especially if you like bike seats!

 

For polishing I use this but for wheel I use kneeling pad as stated by others

 

That is a great idea, Griot's had a low down creaper but discontinued now and they were pricey at just under $200, this should do about the same job minus the seat but you could always bolt a seat to it as well.

Thanks for the suggestion, we have a few of these laying around.