Alternatives/substitutes for brake cleaner?

thechamp said:
He is not just changing brakes, he is changing discs, and they are oiled for storage, I guess it's not a big deal if you don't mind a little bit of oil in your braking surfaces.
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I've changed discs many times over the years and never cleaned them before driving. It's always done with pads at the same time and you drive carefully for the first 100km or so anyway.
 
As Champ says. If you have floating calipers, the spray can is handy to clean the guides and pins, don't forget to lube them with high temp brake grease as well.
 
airborne said:
Huh?
Carb cleaner is for cleaning carburettors, when you strip a carb you use it to get off deposits and gum build up, I don't know what you are confusing it with.
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I'm not confused, but you clearly are. If you bother to read the directions on the can, you will note that "carb cleaner" typically gets sprayed into the carb while the engine is running. It's a product that supposedly removes the need for a complete strip of the carb.
 
Zuner said:
Why the hell would you replace rotors with every brake Pad change o_O
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Because they're not that much more than having the old ones skimmed, Duh :X3: ... Also less hassles if its a DIY

Ok, maybe i exaggerate a little ... but at least every 2nd pad change they get replaced, as by then they're to thin for another skim :p
 
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COMPUTEK said:
Because they're not that much more than having the old ones skimmed, Duh :X3: ... Also less hassles if its a DIY

Ok, maybe i exaggerate a little ... but at least every 2nd pad change they get replaced, as by then they're to thin for another skim :p
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Go have a look in the 200 000km Thread, i had a 99model Hyundai which i sold at 545 000km which had factory disks, skimmed once (needed replacement when i sold it).

My fiesta has 110k km, i've changed pads twice (yes i drive that car VERY hard), factory disks no skimming, and the lip isn't even big enough to cause concern.
 
Dairyfarmer said:
Till the solvents eat through the calipers boots and seals.
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Wtf, you clean the disc before you fit it and even if it is already fitted just wet the cloth a bit with solvent then wipe the disc down.

Dairy farmer uses 5L of solvent per side to clean his discs, uses the pour over method :D
 
RonSwanson said:
I'm not confused, but you clearly are. If you bother to read the directions on the can, you will note that "carb cleaner" typically gets sprayed into the carb while the engine is running. It's a product that supposedly removes the need for a complete strip of the carb.
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That's one legitimate way it can be used, sometimes it's just a jet that been gummed up and a blast of carb cleaner with the engine running can clean it out without needing to strip the carb. Otherwise it's strip and then clean the carb.... with carb cleaner.

I have a feeling you possibly don't have the best grasp on what you are talking about. Carb cleaner is 100% legitimate fuel system cleaning solvent, just don't use it on sensors. Lumping it together with snake oil petrol treatments like you did shows how little you know on the subject.
 
airborne said:
That's one legitimate way it can be used, sometimes it's just a jet that been gummed up and a blast of carb cleaner with the engine running can clean it out without needing to strip the carb. Otherwise it's strip and then clean the carb.... with carb cleaner.

I have a feeling you possibly don't have the best grasp on what you are talking about. Carb cleaner is 100% legitimate fuel system cleaning solvent, just don't use it on sensors. Lumping it together with snake oil petrol treatments like you did shows how little you know on the subject.
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Expand?
 
I normally clean new discs with lots of acetone. Afterward, I smear the disc and the pads generously with Copperslip. This ensures longevity of the disc and pads, it also minimizes wear and tear for years to come. ;):ROFL:
 
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airborne said:
Wtf, you clean the disc before you fit it and even if it is already fitted just wet the cloth a bit with solvent then wipe the disc down.

Dairy farmer uses 5L of solvent per side to clean his discs, uses the pour over method :D
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Or soaks them overnight just for good measure?
 
airborne said:
Lol, now you don't want to argue the subject, you just want to point out how hurt your ego is.

Gargle with some carb cleaner, chin up.
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You can't even read the instructions on a can, how are you going to hurt someone's ego? BTW magnets also have some useful purposes, just not around the fuel line. :ROFL:
 
Stokstert said:
I normally clean new discs with lots of acetone. Afterward, I smear the disc and the pads generously with Copperslip. This ensures longevity of the disc and pads, it also minimizes wear and tear for years to come. ;):ROFL:
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Ruined my radiator that way
 
RonSwanson said:
You can't even read the instructions on a can, how are you going to hurt someone's ego? BTW magnets also have some useful purposes, just not around the fuel line. :ROFL:
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That's why I was surprised when you came groveling for an apology, it's just the instructions on a tin, who cares what bs they put on there as long as the contents work.

Spraying carb cleaner into a carb whilst the engine is running can help clear some jets/passages, especially the idle circuit and seeing the contents of the carb cleaner is pressurized there's also some compressed air action going on. It's worked like that for me on a motorbike carb.

Buy I digress, you have chronic butt hurt, if you don't want to use carb cleaner don't use it, no one cares either way.
 
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