Brake Cleaners... What do you think?? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

CX889 · 03-20-2005, 10:51 PM

I went to Canadian Tire today and search around the automobile section and come across "Brake Cleaner" I didn't have a camera with me so I can't take a pic but anyways... It just looks like WD-40. Is it useful? How do we apply them? Do we have to take the wheel out? Just curious

Thanks~

Racer_Rodney · 03-20-2005, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CX889

I went to Canadian Tire today and search around the automobile section and come across "Brake Cleaner" I didn't have a camera with me so I can't take a pic but anyways... It just looks like WD-40. Is it useful? How do we apply them? Do we have to take the wheel out? Just curious

Thanks~

oh my god no.....it is nothing like WD-40. what it does is clean away any loose stuff on or around the housing. I use it everyday at work for cleaning nearly anything that isn't chrome or painted. it dries quicly and clean. WD-40 is a lubricant and penitrant pretty much the opposite of break cleaner.
to apply you simply spray it on the part you wanna clean, give it a scrub and spray it again. be carefull of your eyes, it sprays pretty strong generally.

***Tercel GTS*** · 03-21-2005, 12:11 AM

Make sure you use it in a well ventilated area as it's main ingredient is a powerful nerve agent.

Racer_Rodney · 03-21-2005, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tercel GTS

Make sure you use it in a well ventilated area as it's main ingredient is a powerful nerve agent.

oh yeah forgot about that....lol

skewe · 03-21-2005, 12:12 AM

yeah, look like WD40.
should contain some alcohol cos it dries up pretty fast. Just spray it and if you have a cloth or brush, use that after spraying and start scrubbing. I did that when i installed my rims and sprayed my rotors and calipers.

sprayed it and while it is still wet, started to clean it.

works like a charm. about USD 2/large bottle.

KamryStylez · 03-21-2005, 12:14 AM

I used the brake cleaner ONCE...and i was exhausted for the whole day....you gotta take out the wheel which is tiring if you only have 1 jack and 1 jackstand lol. Perfer having 4 jackstands then take off all 4 wheels and spray it till the brake dust and whatever crap comes off. You might need to buy 2 bottles depending how dirrty your brakes are but after everything the brakes tend to be much quiet when stopping and lesser brake dust on your rims.

***Edmond*** · 03-21-2005, 12:21 AM

I made the mistake of inhaling a lot of that crap one time. Felt like throwing up and passing out!

But it works very well. It'll clean whatever you spray.

CX889 · 03-21-2005, 12:29 AM

But we have to take all the wheels out right? I don't have the equipment though

skewe · 03-21-2005, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CX889

But we have to take all the wheels out right? I don't have the equipment though

all you need is in your trunk.
jack, wheel remover, etc

terrastrife · 03-21-2005, 12:44 AM

everyones car came with teh shit to take ya wheels off...

jhbhatia · 03-21-2005, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrastrife

everyones car came with teh shit to take ya wheels off...

Its called a JACK, and yes, as long as you use a brake-parts cleaner in a well ventilated area you should be good, i like it much as it has that drying up fast properties. Every time i wash my car, i spay this on the discs...it removes water (from washing car) and keep it dry...And if you leave your car over a period of time..the rotors are less likely to be rusted as badly as w/o using this...(i use it a lot since its usually a dollar for a spray bottle that lasts 2-3 months).

Pineapple · 03-21-2005, 12:40 PM

Don't use it on asphalt driveway, it'll melt it. Or get a tray to catch the drips. You'll need 2 can to clean all 4 wheels.
Its nothing like WD-40, it jsut clean and doesn't lube. WD-40 on brake is death wish.

***Edmond*** · 03-21-2005, 01:52 PM

And use some anti seize on the lugs before you put them on. It'll make them easier to take off in the future.

mandyfig · 03-21-2005, 02:39 PM

Anti-seize, magic words, helps a lot! If wanna be mechanics (meaning the ones that rip you off in the auto shops) would just use them, life would be much simpler....

Had a problem on the CV Axle bolt, had to take them to a Big10 Tire shop, so we can use the high power air gun to unbolt that sucker!

Had the same issue when we tried to take out the crankshaft pulley, same thing, the thing was welded to the shaft....a lot of patience...it gave way, but we made sure we had anti-seize when we put it back.

Pineapple · 03-21-2005, 04:12 PM

Put some on the hub ring also. So it doesn't rust and keep a tight fit with the rim.