• This topic has 27 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by Jamie.
Viewing 28 posts - 1 through 28 (of 28 total)
  • Brake rotor cleaning branded or meths ?
  • oldfart
    Full Member

    Always used Meths with no issues but a thread on here made me wonder . Is it worth buying branded stuff if so Muc Off , Juice Lubes , Fenwicks , Bike Hut all much of a muchness ? Or just stick with Meths ?

    PeterPoddy
    Free Member

    Meths is fine. I take the rotors off and set light to them. It works. 🙂

    oldfart
    Full Member

    Thought so Pete , a mates old man was a industrial chemist , he used to be able to get the stuff without the purple additive . Apparently that was added to stop people drinking it ! This tends to leave a residue ?

    Scienceofficer
    Free Member

    I wipe my discs with meths but I take the poddy approach to slightly contaminated pads!

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    Neat alchohol, not meths. From eBay. Job done.

    Jamie
    Free Member

    I use Isopropyl Alcohol. Last lot I got was from Amazon, as I needed it next day, and was a fiver for a 250ml pump spray.

    Usually buy it of eBay where it’s just over a fiver for 500ml bottles.

    darrenspink
    Free Member

    I’ve boiled them in the past

    Andy-R
    Full Member

    I just use lighter fluid (Ronsonol).

    zbonty
    Full Member

    Whats the reason for cleaning discs? Presumably if contaminated with oil etc. I always thought they were best left alone?

    mikey74
    Free Member

    Surgical spirit: A few quid from Boots.

    nealy
    Free Member

    Day to day cleaning just use water on the rotors/pads/calipers as you don’t want to remove the pad material from the rotor, contaminate the pads or risk damaging the caliper seals.

    If the rotors have oil/grease on them then use 70% IPA Isopropyl Alcohol from ebay, 100% is the norm but 70% is less likely to damage rubber seals (but still be careful) and cleans fine.

    Meths can have oily additives in it so don’t use it IMO.

    Branded brake cleaner can have all kinds of cr@p added to them that you don’t necessarily want so just use IPA alcohol which is cheaper anyway

    sandwicheater
    Full Member

    I just use kitchen sink & boiling water/washing up liquid.

    Am i going to die?

    Jamie
    Free Member

    Am i going to die?

    Eventually.

    martinhutch
    Full Member

    Isopropyl alcohol. Smells nice too.

    sandwicheater
    Full Member

    Eventually.

    Crap!

    bigblackshed
    Full Member

    I’ve used Amberclene to clean discs and pads in the past. Seems to work, except they howl like a banshee until they’ve got a bit of muck back on them.

    Saved some pads in an emergency by setting fire to them. Metal bowl, pads in with the braking surface facing up, TINY squirt of Amberclene, set light. Then jump backwards and put your eyebrows and hair fire out. Surprising how volatile it is. 😯

    Jamie
    Free Member

    Crap!

    My condolences.

    soobalias
    Free Member

    ive got petrol or acetone?
    im guessing parafin is a no.

    sandwicheater
    Full Member

    My condolences.

    Flowers?

    Jamie
    Free Member

    Flowers?

    That would be delightful. My address is:

    123 Fake Street
    Fake Town
    Fakesville
    F4K3 C0D3

    IHN
    Full Member

    I’m thinking of using a kitchen blowtorch on a suspectedly contaminated rotor and pads, a good idea or not?

    They’ll be removed from the bike first…

    warns74
    Free Member

    I’m sure this has been covered before, but aside from the rotors, what’s the easiest way to clean up the pads, or is there a point where they are beyond saving?

    jag61
    Full Member

    i have used a blowtorch on pads a few times seemed to work well only heated until smoking a bit turned out the caliper was leaking a bit new cal all ok now 😀

    motozulu
    Free Member

    Pads I whip out and lightly sand with emery cloth.

    bartimaeus
    Free Member

    Isopropyl alcohol on the rotors… and sand the pads. Seems to work.

    warns74
    Free Member

    A friend has offered me some muc off brake cleaner / degreaser stuff.
    Is it any good or it is still best to go through the cleaning options listed above?

    gonzy
    Free Member

    Flowers?
    That would be delightful. My address is:

    123 Fake Street
    Fake Town
    Fakesville
    F4K3 C0D3

    ‘ang on….who’s dying….you or him?!? 😯

    Jamie
    Free Member

    ‘ang on….who’s dying….you or him?!?

    We all are.

    Eventually.

Viewing 28 posts - 1 through 28 (of 28 total)

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