Cleaning Calipers

[428 others]

Hi *,

 

What would be the best solution other than fancy bike shop products, be to clean disc brake calipers? The brake dust and normal stuff that clogs up the piston?

[Super_mil]

I use iso-propyl alcohol. General clean with a rag, then an ear-bud for the hard to reach spots (all done with the pistons fully in their bore). Then once dry squeeze the brake to expose the piston, a drop of fluid (DOT fluid for Avids, Hopes, Hayes etc & mineral for Shimano, Magura etc) to re-lube the seals/pistons etc and clean off any excess.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Super_mil

[Vetseun]

Use Q20...........

 

 

NO DONT PLEASE IT WAS A JOKE

[428 others]

Thanks Super_mil. I suppose the alcohol because it evaporates?

[brad890]

Thanks Super_mil. I suppose the alcohol because it evaporates?

 

yes and it doesn't leave a oily residue behind that stop the brakes from working

 

edit: spelling

Edited August 14, 2013 by brad890

[dee_biker]

Any oil based product...

 

No... I never clean it, they clean themselves.

Edited August 14, 2013 by dee_biker

[V12man]

Thanks Super_mil. I suppose the alcohol because it evaporates?

 

And it dissolves most things....

 

You can buy it in nice white lint free squares called surgical wipes... and you can get them in a variety of sizes... they are good for cleaning things that need to be really clean...

 

Of course you can buy it in a bottle too - you just have to supply the lint free rag....

[428 others]

Thanks V-man, but doesn't surgical wipes have an oil base?

[V12man]

Thanks V-man, but doesn't surgical wipes have an oil base?

 

Isopropyl alcohol... and the cloth/paper stuff is lint free too.

 

For sure - use a lot of those things....

 

But you can get wipes that are disinfectant impregnated too - don't like those.... and not good for cleaning stuff properly either - leaves a layer of clorhibidine or some such behind.

[Pandora]

Cutex remover

[V12man]

Cutex remover

 

Don't use that - Acetone based.. destroys paint finishes and some seals.

[Pandora]

Don't use that - Acetone based.. destroys paint finishes and some seals.

 

Good to know

[Greg29]

Warm soapy water and a toothbrush.

[Tankman]

Use Q20...........

 

 

NO DONT PLEASE IT WAS A JOKE

 

Too late and he did not listen!!

 

This guy was in the shop earlier, when asked what the hell he did to the brake pads?

 

"Oh it was making a noise so I put some Q20 everywhere"

 

Seriously, I kid you not!

 

Thanks for the business Vetseun!

Edited August 14, 2013 by Tankman

[Johan Bornman]

Thanks Super_mil. I suppose the alcohol because it evaporates?

I also use alcohol when I clean brakes. Sometimes I even put some on the brakes.

[Dicky DQ]

I also use alcohol when I clean brakes. Sometimes I even put some on the brakes.

Oi, what is this nonsense of getting a sense of humour.........