Problem Solvers

Solve your maintenance challenges from everyday applications to large, complex operations with our extensive technical knowledge, engineering depth and in-house services. We bring a personal, hands-on approach, while helping you anticipate business needs and prevent costly downtime. Below is a collection of solutions for everyday problems.

If you still need assistance, contact our full-service Engineering Team via email at engineering@lawsonproducts.com or call 888.360.5596.

PROBLEM:	SOLUTION:
AUTOMOTIVE
Brake and Wheel
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Too many OE replacement service kits needed High investment in inventory Technician training is difficult	TPMS Service Kits
CHEMICALS
Adhesives
Adhesives, Gasketing and Sealants
Concrete damage from water penetrating through cracked concrete Concrete crack sealer is not flexible, dries out and cracks easily Crack sealer doesn't stick to both sides of the concrete Crack sealer doesn't hold up to extreme weather conditions Roof leaks caused by poorly-sealed roof flashings	Stop-Gap Flexible Sealant and Flashing Compound
Adhesive isn't effective on porous or irregular surfaces Doesn't allow for repositioning bonded materials Takes too long to set up and hold Isn't safe on sensitive materials such as Styrofoam Difficulty in controling the application and preventing overspray	Super 77 Spray Adhesive
Threadlockers/Thread Sealants
Threaded pipe fittings leak due to vibration, corrosion and pressure Pipe sealant cannot be used with high-temperature, high-pressure fittings Pipe tape shreds and fouls hydraulic systems	Tefseal Pipe Sealant with PTFE
Automotive
Acrysol™
Ordinary cleaners can leave residue that interferes with the adhesion of primers and paints Solvent cleaners can damage painted and plastic surfaces Ordinary cleaners can take a long time to dry Solvent cleaners can leave a lingering odor	Acrysol™ Body Solvent
Plastic Repair System
User needs to choose repair material based on chemical type of plastic Special procedures, adhesion promoters or flame treatments are often required Repair materials are too hard to sand or load up the sandpaper Repairs crack, shrink or peel Repairs show through the finish	Plastic Repair System
Two-Part Seam Sealers
Standard sealers must be dried for hours before they can be painted Solvent-based sealers can shrink, crack or blister in high-temperature paint booths Ordinary sealers can be difficult to tool when matching the look of OEM sealers Ordinary sealers don't have the strength or durability for severe applications	Two-Part Seam Sealers
High-Tech™ Clear Seam Sealer
Standard sealers must be dried thoroughly and painted to match Seams must be completely dried after water testing before sealers can be applied Sealers must be completely dried before retesting to verify the fix Ordinary clear sealers shrink, peel, crack and yellow	High-Tech™ Clear Seam Sealer
High-Tech™ Clear Seam Sealer
Quick Seal MSP One-Part Polymer Seam Sealer Seam sealers that run on vertical surfaces Applicator gun needed to apply material Seam sealers that crack, shrink or bubble when baked Solvent-based seam sealers that cannot be painted immediately Product that does not tool in for a professional finish	Quick Seal MSP One-Part Polymer Seam Sealer
Cleaners
Glass Cleaners
Most glass cleaners run and do not stay in place Streak marks are left behind, requiring additional cleaning Glass appears hazy after wiping cleaner off Strong smell of ammonia is unpleasant and can cause dizziness	Ogle Glass and Hard Surface Cleaner
Food Service Cleaners
Oven has burnt-on carbon, grease, food and oily residue that needs to be removed Oven cleaner does not cling to surface long enough to maximize cleaning power Need to clean a cold oven	Burn-Out Oven, Grill and Broiler Renovator
Multipurpose Cleaner/Degreasers
Painted surfaces are damaged because cleaner is too aggressive Need to use on a vertical surface Product is highly flammable Contain strong chemicals such as chlorinated solvents Product won't remove grease and oil Strong chemical odor	Foamy Orange Citrus Cleaner/Degreaser
Heavy deposits of grease, grime, soot, resin, oil, baked-on carbon, dye and/or inks Harsh petroleum and/or chlorinated solvent Surface film after cleaning	Keynote Multi-Purpose Cleaner/Degreaser
Cleaner contains toxic chemicals, carcinogens and/or other harmful compounds and is harmful to the environment Skin irritation/allergic reactions Non-recyclable packaging High shipping costs	Third Power Multi-Purpose Cleaner/Degreaser
Solvents
Removing substances like oil, grease, dirt, ink and adhesive residue Many solvents contain toxic ingredients with harmful concentrated vapors Some solvents harm the environment and are restricted in certain areas Solvent vapors give off an offensive odor and could be carcinogenic Solvents are not always safe on the equipment being cleaned Removing residue without damaging paint	Quickpeel Heavy-Duty Organic Citrus Solvent
Specialty Cleaners
Hard water deposits, rust stains, urine stains, heavy soap scum and lime buildup on bath/shower or food service surfaces Flash rusting after surfaces have been cleaned	Pentox Calcium Lime and Rust Remover
Coatings
Undercoat and Rubberized Coatings
Exposed metal rusts easily Inflexible coating cracks and peels easily Coating goes on too thick and dries too slowly Coating does not withstand temperature changes and harsh outdoor environments	Outlast Heavy Duty Rubberized Coating
High Solids Paints
Many store-bought brands require multiple coats to get desired look Some aerosol paints don't resist rust and chemicals and aren't heat resistant Paint fades after application Limited color selection Added costs of buying and disposing of the cans	Lawson High Solid (HSP) Paints
Floor Care
Stubborn carpet stains Too much time/effort spent wiping, blotting and rubbing carpet to remove stain Risk of damage to carpet from over-scrubbing to remove stain	Spitfire Instant Carpet Spot Remover
Lubricants
Chain, Open Gear and Wire Rope
Product only applies an external coating and do not penetrate wire ropes and cables Water is trapped inside cables, leaving them vulnerable to rust and corrosion Lubrication failure in extreme pressure applications Exposure to rainfall or equipment washdown causes wash-out High-speed applications cause lubricant to sling off	Core Penetrating Chain and Cable Lubricant with Moly
Metal Cutting
Lubricant stains metals such as aluminum Product has a tendency to sling off drill bits and reamers Fails under extreme pressure conditions Multiple products required for different operations such as tapping, reaming, cutting or drilling Costly products which can't be diluted	ETP Gold Metal-Cutting Lubricant
Oils
Lubricant only lasts a short time and must be reapplied often Lubricated equipment freezes up in cold temperatures Lubricant loses its performance at high temperatures Metal parts are rust-frozen and locked Nuts, bolts and chains keep corroding Difficulty lubricating wet and/or dirty equipment	Engage PTFE Lubricant
Penetrating Oils
Remove rusted-on nuts, bolts and fittings quickly Loosen frozen, corroded parts without breaking them Protect against rust and further corrosion Lubricate moving parts to prevent friction wear	Open and Shut Penetrating Oil
Greases
Can't apply grease through tight gaps, cracks, openings and crevices Thin, oily lubricant slings off – won't adhere to metal Lubricant must be clear and non-staining Extreme temperatures cause a need for frequent lubrication Metal locks and hinges keep rusting	Prizm PTFE Penetrating Gel Lubricant
Can't apply a grease through tight gaps, cracks, openings and crevices Thin lubricants won't adhere to metal – they sling off Lubricant needs to be clear so it will not show on exposed hinges Extreme temperatures require frequent lubrication Door, hood and hatch hinges keep rusting	Pene-Grease SL Lubricant
Ordinary grease has no additives to protect metal surfaces in heavy load applications Many greases have little or no tackifiers to provide staying power and resist pound-out Grease with a low dropping point is ineffective in high-temperature applications	Persist High-Temperature Bentonite Grease
Anti-Seize
Lubricant breaks down and melts at high temperatures Lubricant hardens or gums up at low temperatures Lubricant is flammable at high temperatures Lubricant washes out in wet environments	Lubri-Temp Multipurpose Anti Seize
Dry Lubricants
Most dry lubricants do not contain PTFE Ordinary dry lubricants stain in clean applications Many lubricants are not resistant to chemicals Lubricants can attract and hold grit and dust	Clean Lube II PTFE Dry Lubricant
Odor Control
Liquid Odor Control
Heavily soiled areas and mildew odors in carpets Smelly drains, drain lines and grease traps Urine stains and odors in rest rooms and on carpeting Smoke damage and odors on fabrics, carpets and other surfaces	Nix All-Natural Biological Odor Eliminator
Seasonal Maintenance
Ice Melters & Winter Products
De-icer doesn't melt ice and snow quickly and leaves a residue Product damages painted surfaces, metals, rubber, glass and plastics Doesn't prevent buildup of ice and snow Won't penetrate and free up door locks	Sleet De-Icer Windshield Spray
Sewer and Drain
Drain Openers
Drain lines are clogged or slow-running Drain opener contains dangerous acids or bleach that can damage pipes or fittings and has a harsh, chemical odor	So-Drox Liquid Drain Opener and Sewer Line Restorer
Many degreasers fall to the bottom and do not prevent grease buildup Finding a product that is an effective degreaser that will also mask offensive odors Most products won't keep the pump seal filters clear Dealing with grease buildup on floats	Clean Buoy Floating Lift Station Degreaser
Drain & Grease Trap Maintenance
Drain cleaner does not open drain or does not work fast enough Drain cleaner does not control odors Drain cleaner can only be used in drains Drain cleaner is too expensive to use as a maintainer Drain cleaner contains hazardous chemicals	Squeeky Concentrated Drain Opener and Odor Eliminator
Slow-running urinal drains that sometimes cause overflow Persistent, foul odors emanating from urinals Drain treatment product is not effective on urinal drains Removal of urinals and mechanical drain rodding to restore flow is time-consuming and costly Recurring urinal drain restrictions	Free-Flow U.S. Urinal Drain Opener and Odor Eliminator
CUTTING TOOLS & ABRASIVES
Abrasives
Coated Abrasives
Abrasive flap paper too stiff or too limp for most projects Damage to finish from flap wheel's steel mounting cap Flap wheel falls apart at high RPMs Flap wheel works too slowly at low RPMs	Lawson's Abrasive Flap Wheels
Ordinary abrasives have one abrasive side, load up rapidly and cannot be used in wet or oily conditions; waste creates high cost	Tuff-Grit Screen Mesh Adhesive Sheets and Rolls
Type 27 grinding discs do poor finish grinds, leaving excessive scratches and gouges Conventional grinding discs leave difficult-to-remove burn marks Resin fiber discs will not grind, and they wear too quickly Too much time is spent changing grinding discs to fiber-finishing discs Stocking both grinding and finishing discs is expensive Grinding and finishing rounded or odd-shaped objects is difficult	Blue-Kote Flap Discs
Wire Wheel Brushes
Straight wire breaks at random points along the plane of the wire Wire strands do not spring back when deflected (not heat-treated) Wire wheels are out of balance due to wire tufts that contain unequal amounts of strands Wire strands are not secure; tied in place with wire Face plates are unfinished and damage wire strands	Regency® Wire Wheel Brushes
Cutting Tools
Drill Bits & Accessories
User needs to pre-drill to prevent walking on irregular surfaces Hole cutters cut around the weld leaving a plug which must be ground off the inner panel Hole cutters wear quickly or chip and dull easily	Pro-Bit® Spot Weld Removers
Drill bit walks on curved surfaces Dull, bent or broken drill bits High-speed burnout from friction Chip buildup from soft material Drill bit spins in keyless chuck; chuck spin destroys size identification	Regency® Drill Bits
Drill bit walks and doesn't center well on broken bolts, studs and screws Clockwise rotation of drill bit compounds the problem of broken/frozen part	Regency® Left Hand Drill Bits
Drilling ceramic tile or glass with ordinary drill bits produces out-of-round holes Drill bit life is short when used to drill ceramic tile/glass Ordinary drill bits "walk" when drilling ceramic tile or glass Drilling fiberglass with ordinary drill bits causes splintering or feathering of holes	Supertanium® Arrowhead Ceramic Tile and Glass Drill Bits
Metal storage cases may not be durable enough to provide adequate protection for drill bits, resulting in damage or rusting Metal storage cases may not close properly	Drill Bit Sets with High-Impact Storage Case
Time is lost changing from drill bit to driver bit; chuck keys are not always readily available More than one power tool is needed to avoid re-chucking	Insty-Bit™ Keyless Chuck System
Tungsten Carbide Saw Blades
Problems cutting ceramic, concrete, wire rope, hydraulic hose, hardened steel parts, stone, glass, wire-reinforced hose, or thin and perforated metals	Tungsten Carbide Saw Blades
Hole Saws
Teeth stripping and dulling Struggling to remove the plug Unable to cut tough alloys or stainless steel	Lenox® SPEED SLOT™ Hole Saws
Reamers
Need to drill holes through steel quickly and safely Need to drill holes in truck frames Large drills chip and break Need to enlarge an existing hole Need to align a distorted or irregular hole Need a solution that does not require special alignment equipment Need to drill burred holes	Regency® Reamers
Reciprocating Saw Blades
Teeth strip when cutting through nail-embedded woods Blade breaks when out of position Short saw life under maintenance conditions	Hardflex® Reciprocating Saw Blades
Taps
Bending, dulling and breaking Difficult to start Binding and seizing in place Extra torque required	Regency® Gold Spiral Point Taps
ELECTRICAL
Electrical Tools
Regular side cutters will not cut large cable Cutting with a hacksaw is time-consuming, requires a vise and leaves badly-frayed ends	Copper Cable Cutters
Cable slitter is too large for confined areas Cable slitter has nicked conductors Cable slitter produces uneven strip lengths Cable slitter provides little or no adjustment for insulation thickness Exposed blade on cable slitter is unsafe Cable slitter has limited range and uses	Round Cable Slitter
Electrical Wire
Soft plastic insulation is very susceptible to cuts and abrasions Temperature surges from overload can damage the insulation Wire is affected by solvents and moisture Plastic insulation can flame and burn	Cross-Linked Primary Wire
Fleet & Automotive
Corrosion from battery cable Battery cable has inferior conductivity and heat dissipation Battery cable has poor resistance to heat, cold and flame Battery cable lacks sufficient application flexibility	Flex Battery Cable
Terminals & Wire Connectors
Corroded electrical connections from using standard non-insulated electrical terminals Standard non-insulated electrical terminals have limited access area, hampering insulation Standard non-insulated electrical terminals have low voltage rating and poor tensile strength Unable to inspect effectiveness of crimp with standard non-insulated electrical terminals	Heat Seal Terminals
Wire is difficult to install into the terminal Insulation splits during crimping Butted seam barrels separate during crimping Wires pull out easily Short barrels result in poor electrical connections, causing shorts, heat buildup, high electrical resistance and failure	Superbutt Nylon-Insulated Connectors
Wire Protection & Accessories
Difficulty insulating electrical connections in hard-to-reach areas Difficulty sealing electrical connections on vehicles from road grime Corroded electrical connectors/wiring from exposure to varying weather conditions	Auto-Electric Super Sealant
Insulating electrical connections in hard-to-reach areas Corrosion from exposure to varying weather conditions Sealing electrical connections on vehicles from road grime Wrapping ordinary insulation tape in very tight spots	Posi-Seal™ Plus
Adhesive properties of electrical wraps/tape deteriorate, and tape loosens Voids in electrical wrapping allow moisture, dust and dirt to enter Electrical wrap/tape is not resistant to chemicals Electrical wrap/tape has limited outdoor and industrial applications	Seal-Tite™ Fusion Wrap
Corrosion caused from exposed battery terminal connections Corrosion from abrasion of cable insulation Corrosion caused from cable being exposed when insulation pulls away from terminal	Tru-Shrink® Heavy Wall Heat Shrink Tubing
Visa Seal Connectors
Connections can get exposed to moisture and contaminants Color-coded insulators can hinder the view of the crimped connection Loose wires and poor tensile strength	Visa Seal Connectors
FASTENERS
Bolts break, strip, bend, twist and elongate, hex nuts strip or seize, flat washers bend, dish or warp when using ordinary production grade fasteners in a maintenance application	Tru-Torq® Fastening System Tuff-Torq® Fastening System Metri-12 Fastening System
Material scoring during installation of Socket Head Cap Screws High friction resistance from thread engagement and bearing surface when installing Socket Head Cap Screws Low clamping force due to friction on work material when installing Socket Head Cap Screws Encountering out of round or deformed recesses while installing Socket Head Cap Screws	Supertanium® Cap Washers
Ordinary sheet metal screws strip out during installation Material separation from the screw during installation of ordinary sheet metal screws Poor thread engagement while installing ordinary sheet metal screws Installation of ordinary sheet metal screws with power tools strips material Slotted, Phillips and square heads strip out	Supertanium® Quad-Grip™ Sheet Metal Screws
Vibration due to large equipment when using standard anchoring systems Unsafe stud head protruding from item anchored Stud-type anchor cannot be removed Alignment problems when drilling while using standard anchoring systems Standard anchoring systems may lack strength for critical structural applications	Tapered Anchor Bolts
Thread Repair
Ordinary coil-type inserts require special taps and/or installation tools when used to replace damaged or stripped threads Ordinary coil-type inserts strip and pull out in high-strength applications Removal of tangs is difficult and time-consuming when using ordinary coil-type inserts	Keysert® Locking Thread Inserts
Replacing spot-welded nuts Tapping threads in thin materials Placing threaded nut in blind areas Screws pulling out of thin, solid and curved materials	Specialty Threaded Inserts
When restoring damaged threads on fixed equipment, thread restoring files are difficult to use, and results are inconsistent Thread chasing dies have a limited number of pitches available Hard to identify proper thread pitch when using thread restoring files	Universal Thread Restorers
FLUID POWER
Ordinary brake line kinks and ruptures easily Ordinary brake line needs special bending or flaring tools Unnecessary stocking of pre-formed brake lines	Hydraulic Brake Line
Too much time spent looking for proper size brass fitting part Ordinary brass fittings are difficult and time-consuming to install Ordinary brass fittings are one-time use only Difficulty aligning brass fittings in tubing	Instant Air Brake Fittings
Hose whips when ordinary air couplers are disconnected Two hands are required to connect or disconnect ordinary air couplers Connecting ordinary air couplers under pressure is difficult Ordinary air couplers disconnect when pulled or dragged	Quickonnect Couplers
Identifying different styles/interchanges of couplers and plugs within a shop Having to use many different couplers for different interchanges on different tools/equipment Getting full flow out of conventional couplers
Hose whip occurs when disconnecting - safety hazard! Can disconnect if dropped or dragged, connection not completely secure Brass more susceptible to damage Brass or steel couplers can damage finish on automobiles	Safety Push Button Couplers
	Universal Couplers
HAND TOOLS
Ordinary locking pliers and clamps require continuous adjustments to accommodate different sizes of workpieces Gripping force of ordinary locking pliers doesn't always match application Ordinary locking pliers and clamps are difficult to release once in locked position	C.H. Hanson® Automatic Self-Adjusting Pliers
Bent or broken screwdriver/nut driver blades Shaft of screwdriver/nut driver bends Handle of screwdriver/nut driver has broken from shaft Hands slip from screwdriver/nut driver handle due to poor grip Torque is limited due to poor grip of screwdriver/nut driver handle	MAXXPRO® plus
Sizing is difficult due to cumbersome handle lock design of ordinary self-gripping pliers Wide, bulky jaws of ordinary self-gripping pliers prevent access to tight spots Position setting is easily lost when ordinary self-gripping pliers are set aside Potential of pinched hand when ordinary self-gripping pliers slip	Self-Gripping Pliers
MATERIAL HANDLING
Ordinary tarp straps wear and tear easily Ordinary tarp straps lose their stretch after limited use and at low temperatures Ordinary tarp straps deteriorate quickly when exposed to sunlight, ozone, salt air and chemicals Ordinary tarp straps leave unsightly black scuff marks	Urethane Rope and Shock Cords
STORAGE EQUIPMENT
Frequently-used parts and supplies are not on hand or at satellite locations when needed Deciding which items to stock with limited funds/space is difficult Searching for small parts causes time loss and equipment downtime Boxes, tin cans and/or paper bags are inadequate storage containers for small parts and supplies, and cause disorganization and expensive waste	Inventory Management Services
WELDING
Stainless steel pipe, tank or container requires repair, but location makes it difficult to reach, and there is no time, or it is not possible, to disassemble parts or equipment for repair Need to repair a stainless steel pipe, tank or container in the overhead or vertical position Need to repair a stainless steel pipe with dripping water present Poor corrosion resistance due to carbide precipitation Base/weld metal cracking	3881 Electrode
Need to cut or gouge metal quickly, but do not have access to a plasma, oxy-fuel or carbon arc cutting system Carbon arc gouging system is very noisy and requires all nearby personnel to wear hearing protection	Cronatron® 1100
Problems with porosity and slag inclusion while welding dirty, oily and contaminated cast iron Need to weld steel to cast iron Need to make an out-of-the-way cast iron repair, and no pre-heat is available	Cronatron 211
Poor performing low hydrogen electrodes are causing hydrogen damage due to moisture pick-up Loss of control over weld deposit due to fingernailing caused by eccentric coating of low hydrogen electrodes Slag inclusions on multi-pass welds while using low hydrogen electrodes Porosity when welding contaminated steels In-service cracking of welds	Cronatron 311
Need to repair unknown, dissimilar or crack-sensitive steels Need to remove a broken bolt or stud in an out-of-position or difficult to reach work area without damaging the threads	Cronatron 333
Need to make a difficult to reach, out-of-position repair to galvanized steel, and do not have time to remove zinc coating Need an alloy that will operate on a low-duty cycle A/C machine (buzz box)	Cronatron 338
Need to make a moisture-resistant, crack- and spatter-free, out-of-position repair to high-strength steel, with no slag inclusions between passes	Cronatron 375
Need to make an aluminum repair, and do not have special MIG or TIG equipment and inert shielding gases Typical aluminum stick electrodes produce inconsistent deposits and excessive spatter	Cronatron 510
Need to make repairs in the vertical or overhead position without dismantling equipment and without costly multiple passes Concern for burn-over on thin edges of work piece	Cronatron 7355
Welding blankets are thick and heavy Welding blankets are made of impregnated fiberglass which is not very flexible and tends to shed Welding blankets have low operating temperatures and are subject to burn-through from molten slag or direct contact with extreme temperatures Direct contact of the welding blanket with flame may result in fire	Welding Blanket