Are all brake clean...
 

Are all brake cleaners created equal?

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My calipers appear to have oil trapped around the pistons which has lead to the pads contaminating. Senna to be a thing with TRP brakes to the point that TRP even have a page dedicated to this problem.

https://trpcycling.com/blogs/news/is-my-brake-leaking-or-is-it-just-residual-oil?srsltid=AfmBOoqgm_6_Te-_Jjgwyx2xTjSZNJr2Ys52UkO3vU8ShFHQ642ShkZ9

 

Doesn't look like I'm losing oil from the system as the reservoirs are still full. 

Will give this procedure a try before going through the stress of warrantying the brakes (bought in Germany, currently in the UK, off to France next week in the van so a bit of a logistical PITA).

 

TRP recommend Finish Line brake cleaner. I've got some generic aisle of dreams stuff from Lidl and could stop by Halfords. They have their own brand stuff, Muc Off plus Tru-Tension.

 

 

 

 


 
Posted : 16/02/2026 2:19 pm
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Having had a google & look at the Safety Data sheets - it looks like Finish Line is Heptane & Isopropyl alcohol based & the others are Acetone based. 

So they aren't just generic liquid in can they are different.

Others who know what chemicals do might say they are the same, my knowledge isn't that deep. 


 
Posted : 16/02/2026 3:11 pm
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Interestingly looking at the SDS for the Halfords that might be closest to Finish Line - as that also contains Heptane.


 
Posted : 16/02/2026 3:15 pm
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I just use dish detergent and hot water.


 
Posted : 16/02/2026 3:27 pm
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Interesting stuff, cheers guys.....

 

Ended up with Holt's Brake Cleaner..... Contains hexane, supposedly stronger than heptane. 

 

Hopefully it does the trick.

https://cdn.media.halfords.com/i/washford/414211/Holts-Brake-and-Parts-Cleaner?w=1200&h=791&qlt=60&strip=true&fmt=avif

 

https://cdn.media.halfords.com/i/washford/414211/Holts-Brake-and-Parts-Cleaner?w=1200&h=791&qlt=60&strip=true&fmt=avif


 
Posted : 16/02/2026 6:13 pm
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Methylated spirits works fine IME


 
Posted : 16/02/2026 7:32 pm
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The holts stuff is good and costs very little. Mannol is also good (I think it might be pure isopropyl).


 
Posted : 17/02/2026 3:49 am
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I came on to say I just use neat Isoprop or Methylated spirits, never bought pre packaged fancy cleaners as all the years I spent with Hope at their race service truck and factory, they never used anything but Meths. 


 
Posted : 17/02/2026 7:17 am
Murray reacted
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Wurth FTW. It has a lovely bouquet and smooth finish... I buy it by the gallon (well 5L) but it evaporate well so mebbies the tins would be better for occasional use.


 
Posted : 17/02/2026 9:26 am
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Holts, much cheaper as it's for cars. 


 
Posted : 17/02/2026 9:28 am
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Another user of holts. Just avoid ones branded up for bikes as they seem to be more expensive for the same thing


 
Posted : 17/02/2026 11:54 am
 Sui
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use n-heptane neat in F1  😉


 
Posted : 17/02/2026 2:08 pm
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EuroCarParts sell their own TrippleQX brand 600ml cans for about £2.30.

Some used to contain chlorinated solvents until recently, but those have been banned. 

There's no difference between them that I've ever been able to tell.  You can even buy versions in a normal 5l can to put into a pump up sprayer, in which case I think it's usually 50/50 acetone/IPA.

Basically it's just a load of really volatile solvents that hang around just long enough to wash off the oil, but evaporate to leave no residue. 


 
Posted : 17/02/2026 5:44 pm
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 hang around just long enough to wash off the oil, but evaporate to leave no residue. 

But what happens to the oil it washes off? Assume it can't evaporate.


 
Posted : 17/02/2026 5:45 pm
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But what happens to the oil it washes off? Assume it can't evaporate.

You've washed it off, it's on the ground somewhere 🤷‍♂️


 
Posted : 18/02/2026 9:20 am
 mert
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Some of the automotive ones contain (very) light oil to prevent surface corrosion of the disc.

It's light enough that car brakes burn it off in seconds, bike brakes, not so much.


 
Posted : 18/02/2026 9:27 am
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Some of the automotive ones contain (very) light oil to prevent surface corrosion of the disc.

It's light enough that car brakes burn it off in seconds, bike brakes, not so much.

Do they?  I've never seen it.

And I definitely get my bikes brakes as hot/hotter than the car pretty much every ride, because if I drove like I rode I wouldn't have a licence!


 
Posted : 18/02/2026 11:20 am