Brake Cleaners - Which one?

[Billo01]

Quick question - I want to use brake cleaner on my calipers as they're sticking after some recent wet weather rides.

Is there a difference between motorcycle brake cleaners and brake cleaner I can pick up from Euro Car Parts for around ?3 instead of ?8-?12 for a motorcycle cleaner?

Cheers

 

[bananaman]

As far as I know there is no difference. I use whatever is on offer

 

[Billo01]

Because WD40 cleaner is ?12 in Halfords and yet as I say Euro Car parts is around ?3 a tin. The WD40 in Halfords is labelled as brake disc cleaner but I assume it'll do the caliper too?

 

[bananaman]

If it states brake cleaner it wont be a lubricant like we recognise as wd40. Don't know but I'm guessing wd40 is a brand name and do all sorts? I've always have a tin or 2 of wd40 (cleaner/lubricant) and a couple of tins of brake cleaner. Always cheaper to buy 5litres of any liquid and decant into a suitable bottle for use. Poundland or the like do garden spray bottles, just make sure the plastic is sturdy enough

 

[Flyingscotsman]

The generic brake cleaner will be fine. I use STP or Wynns on bike and car brakes.

 

[P0u1]

No, if you want to spend more money buy a fancy brand if you want to clean your brakes buy any brake cleaner.

Btw there's allot of nasty stuff in the can so ideally dont do it inside and it can melt plastics so don't be tempted to think it can remove the bugs off your headlights.....don't ask me how I know

 

[Alps Pacino]

by a pressure bottle sprayer and buy the 4 litre tubs in bulk. Works out a hell of a lot cheaper. Especially when you have a friend in a garage that acquires it for me for nothing.

Ask for chad and tell him big tall sexy mark sent you his way.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-W...905684&hash=item3aaa89b83b:g:g1UAAOSwZd1VXx1C

 

[DrIoannis]

I do not use brake cleaner for the brake pistons. I clean them with the following procedure and I think it is better than brake cleaner...

 

[Toan the Moan]

There are two types neither are pleasant copied this info from the web https://itstillruns.com/brake-cleaner-ingredients-5985776.html
Brake Cleaner Ingredients

by Jason Unrau
There are two main variations of brake cleaner: chlorinated and non-chlorinated. Both have similar functionsand degreasing properties, but they are composed of very different ingredients.
Tip

• Brake cleaner is a skin and eye irritant. Don safety clothing and eyewear when using brake cleaner.
  
  Brake cleaner is toxic. If ingested, contact a poison control center immediately. Do not eat or drink when using this product.
  
  

Chlorinated Brake Cleaner


Chlorinated brake cleaner is nonflammable; however, it is harsh on your skin and is known to be a possible carcinogen. It is made of two components:
Tetrachloroethylene


This solvent -- also known as perchloroethylene -- is the primary ingredient in this kind of brake cleaner. It is used to remove materials from metal that are not water-soluble. This includes grease, oil, brake fluid and brake dust.
Carbon Dioxide


Carbon Dioxide is used as a propellant in the aerosol format of brake cleaners.
Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner


Comprised of different chemicals than chlorinated brake cleaner, this version is extremely flammable but is less harsh on your skin. It contains:
Heptane


This chemical distilled from oil is used primarily as a solvent to clean contaminants from metal parts and is not water-soluble. It is safe for use on ABS brakes, as well as disc and drum brakes.
Acetone


This solvent is used to clean contaminants from parts. It is particularly useful in removing water-based contaminants, as it absorbs water.
Carbon Dioxide


This gas is used as the propellant in non-chlorinated brake cleaner.
Tip

• Non-chlorinated brake cleaner is flammable. Use it in a well-ventilated area away from open flames, hot surfaces and sparks. Do not smoke around brake cleaner

 

[cobo]

Don't use WD-40 on the discs/pads/etc that need friction. NFI what you might be trying to clean specifically, but yeah...

Edit: Use any disc brake cleaner sprayed onto a rag and run along the discs and I imagine you should be fine if they are binding from general wet weather riding...sticky pistons I have no idea about.

 

[paul_m]

Wurth spray bottle and 5 litre tin every time for home stuff. From places like euro or bull's-eye car parts, you can get 5 litres for about 13 quid.
We get it in 30 litre drums and I use it on everything.
I do clean brake systems with soap and water first though if I have time. Just because dousing the seals continually can perish them.

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[CMD6319]

Im no expert, but i bought a 5 litre container of brake cleaner, at a very cheap price. I use it all the time, with no adverse effects. I also bought a spare set of callipers for 100 scrots. The reason for my purchase was to service the callipers at my leisure. This also ensures i change the braking fluid regular.
Are you certain the sticky calliper is caused by bad weather??.

 

[ianbullsey]

Hi Jay, you are a font of knowledge. Stupid question, when do you know that the brakes require this chemical to clean them? Are you talking about cleaning discs? I

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[Billo01]

Im no expert, but i bought a 5 litre container of brake cleaner, at a very cheap price. I use it all the time, with no adverse effects. I also bought a spare set of callipers for 100 scrots. The reason for my purchase was to service the callipers at my leisure. This also ensures i change the braking fluid regular.
Are you certain the sticky calliper is caused by bad weather??.

Got to be, it's my first assumption and one I'll remedy first. I've not bothered with the calipers in ~5k miles but been doing a lot of riding lately that's seen a fair bit of wet weather. When cleaning the bike with it up on stands, the wheel will spin then if I apply the brake to stop it dead, spin the wheel again I'm lucky to get a full rev from it. I wiped the discs over and this helped the situation so want to do the calipers next.

 

[Billo01]

Don't use WD-40 on the discs/pads/etc that need friction. NFI what you might be trying to clean specifically, but yeah...

Edit: Use any disc brake cleaner sprayed onto a rag and run along the discs and I imagine you should be fine if they are binding from general wet weather riding...sticky pistons I have no idea about.

If you mean the multi-purpose WD40 of course I wouldn't use this. Halfrauds do a specific WD40 cleaner labeled as brake disc cleaner at ?12 a tin and I think the Muc-off variant is around ?8 - way too expensive for what it is.

 

[Billo01]

As an update I've done a Wurth multi-buy for brake cleaner and chain lube. I'll don my full PPE for the task after completing the risk assessment :welcoming:

Thanks all for the replies, seems like there's lots of variation in cost out there for what is essentially the same thing.

 

[ianbullsey]

Hi Jay, thanks for the advice and taking the trouble to reply. I'm lucky, I rarely ride in poor weather. I usually wipe the brake discs with a damp microfibre cloth. I wouldn't attempt a major overhaul on the S1. During my dirt bike days, brake maintenance was almost the number one task, in it was the number one task!
May I ask, during your track riding what impresses you most about the S1?

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[ianbullsey]

Hi Jay, thanks for the reply. I'm 55 I've been riding since I was 16. I've never experienced anything quite like this bike. I loved my GSXR1000, however this thing is light years ahead. I enjoy riding this bike more than I thought possible. It is amazing.
Which tracks do you ride?
Ian
PS I live in County Durham

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[ianbullsey]

Hi Jay, sounds pretty damn good to me, I'm lovin the French bit! You do seem to have some very useful connections. I'm beginning to think that a track day or two is going to be essential.
Have a good weekend

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[CMD6319]

Ive heard of discs being slightly warped. It might be a stupid notion, but just check the discs are true. We've all been down the road of first assumption, they not always correct. Im curious to understand why cleaning discs would help, is there a indication where the brakes have been applied and left for sometime.

Got to be, it's my first assumption and one I'll remedy first. I've not bothered with the calipers in ~5k miles but been doing a lot of riding lately that's seen a fair bit of wet weather. When cleaning the bike with it up on stands, the wheel will spin then if I apply the brake to stop it dead, spin the wheel again I'm lucky to get a full rev from it. I wiped the discs over and this helped the situation so want to do the calipers next.