Poor braking performance after bike wash

[Cassie]

Dont Spray your brakes/pads or too much in the BB area.Use a bucket and a cloth dont just hose down your bike like a car wash.Clean frame hand to bucket style then remove wheels and clean them seperate away from brakes.If you using high pressure do it accurately away from brakes.

 

My final step always entail wiping the rotor blades with a clean rag & ACETONE...IT REMOVES ALL FINGERPRIENTS ETC OILS / WAX WHATEVER..

[SwissVan]

Hi guys

 

After every bike wash my hydraulic disc brakes don't perform well and takes a few rides for them to "recover".

 

It feels like I'm going to break the lever off and there is minimal braking power. This ALWAYS happends after the bike is washed.

 

I use car wash soap and dilute it in water etc.

 

What could it be?

 

Its clearly the washing don't wash the brakes with soap or soapy water

[Wimmas]

Ja I think I'll try the hand/bucket wash style and avoid the hose for a while.

 

Big ups for the genius recommending oil. I'll sommer soak my calipers,rotors and pads in a bucket full of old car oil. Think that'll sort the problem out!

Edited September 6, 2013 by Wimmas

[mikethebike234]

I usually give them a wipe with thinners or methylated spirits after cleaning. I've learnt my lesson with degreaser and high pressure anywhere near the hubs..... expensive lesson that...

[Wimmas]

Just washed my bike with the hand/bucket method.

 

Took 2-ply toiletpaper and some parraffin afterwards and cleaned the rotors. it worked, braking is percfect

[Danger Dassie]

Nine times out of ten I just use the mist mist spray from a 50/50 (ish) solution of Powasol/Red Hot/Car wash or something similar and rinse off after.

No issues.

[SwissVan]

 

 

Took 2-ply toiletpaper and some parraffin afterwards and cleaned the rotors. it worked, braking is percfect

 

 

I like your sense of humour

 

[kosmonooit]

Also squealing problems; keep any form of soap or cleaner away from the brake pads, it contaminates them!

 

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/08/video/ask-a-mechanic-quieting-loud-disc-brakes_299943

[BMXER]

Car wash has a wax / polish in it. Dish washing liquid is best, I wash all components - even the disks.

[Wimmas]

I like your sense of humour

 

Haha I'm glad you find it funny but it's true. 2-ply cause it's nice, thick and clean.

 

The brakes actually work better than before and there's no squeeking etc.

 

2-ply toilet paper, parraffin and BAM, lekker brakes for tomorrow's race!

[BMXER]

 

 

Haha I'm glad you find it funny but it's true. 2-ply cause it's nice, thick and clean.

 

The brakes actually work better than before and there's no squeeking etc.

 

2-ply toilet paper, parraffin and BAM, lekker brakes for tomorrow's race!

 

Dood, parraffin is oil based. It belongs far away from a rotor.

[ZION]

My final step always entail wiping the rotor blades with a clean rag & ACETONE...IT REMOVES ALL FINGERPRIENTS ETC OILS / WAX WHATEVER..

Ye same i just use the isopropyl to prep everything or clean the rotors

[Wimmas]

Dood, parraffin is oil based. It belongs far away from a rotor.

 

Well I guess that'll be a first and last then. Like I said - luckily brakes are still top notch!

 

Will rather use alcohol the next time.

[braailegend]

RULE 1 for me, when washing.

 

Do not touch brakes,rotors or calipers.. never know if some oil particle in the water accidentally ends up meeting a rotor or pad.

[chris_w_65]

When my gardener was on leave and he sent a replacement to do his job the guy washed and polished my superbike as instructed but overdid it by polishing the discs - Lucky I realized before I got out my complex