I was just wondering if any of you use different kinds of tools or chemicals that aren't normally associated with vehicle repair or restoration.

Here are some I use:

1/2 Trans+ 1/2 Acetone for stuck bolts
Oven Cleaner for degreasing tough places
Aluminum foil - to wrap wire harness when painting

K-Y, or equivalent. Works great for routing wires/hoses thru rubber grommets or other tight places without leaving a residue

glycerin. for seal installation and as a seal dressing. not in suppository form. riteaid sells nice sized bottles for pretty cheap. the bottles last a long time.

Rubbing alcohol for cleaning sticky residue off of windows.

A painting produce called Smoothie. . It is liquid silicon and used as a fish eye reducer. .
It's great for a topical for your rubber items, soaks in to the rubber and preserves them, and wipes off to a low sheen.

Home Depot for Kleen-Strip Strip and Etch. . cement stain etching acid. . It's Phosphoric Acid which is the active ingredient in rust converters. . at about $12 a gallon, a lot cheaper than pre-prepared products.

Silicone looks good but deteriorates rubber! Use glycerine as a dressing.

LA's Totally Awesome

BTW in Canada get it at Dollar Tree stores

"Awesome" cleaner from the dollar store works great to clean grease and oil.
Thanks Lennies914