What do you use to clean brake components?

So, most likely, everyone here uses brake cleaner of some sort to clean brake components. I mean, why wouldn't you? That's what it's for and it works really well.

About a month ago, I upgraded to tundra brakes with the Powerstop red powdercoated calipers. The red looks kinda cool, but I mostly wanted it because I hoped it would just make it easier to rinse off and keep clean.

Last week, I was replacing sway bar bushings and when I had the wheels off, I figured I'd give the brakes a quick spray down and wipe off with brake cleaner. Now that I think about it, yeah, brake cleaner could dissolve the powder coat, maybe similar to how acetone disolves plastics. I was pretty frustrated with myself for not realizing that. I did send an email to Powerstop and expressed my frustration about not being able to use brake cleaner to clean brake parts and that I think they should put some kind of info in their instructions to warn against using brake cleaner. They did recommend just using dish soap to clean brake components and they are looking into replacing the one caliper that had the finish ruined.

How many other people here have powder coated calipers and what do you do to keep them clean?

 

Are you sure they’re powder coated? I’ve sprayed plenty of powder coated parts with brake cleaner and had no issues at all.

But if you don’t want to use it again I understand. Maybe some chemical guys brake dust cleaner?

 

I only use brake cleaner when doing a brake job, else I just hose off with soap and water.

 

You know, I'm not totally sure. I assumed they were because that is what Powerstop advertised.

I've also used brake cleaner on powder coated stuff before with no issues. Maybe these are just painted with regular old paint.

 

Brake cleaner for sure

 

Just brake dust on those calipers, could just wipe it with a dry shop towel and it will come off fine.

 

Repaint with high temp paint in your color of choice.

I'm partial to 'rebuilders cast' since I don't have any see through wheels, nor a need to draw anyone's eye to my plebeian calipers.

 

I use the cheapest Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner I can find. Which is Harvest King. So far I have not had any issues. I did seem to make the black plastic on one of my Husqvarna trimmers “dull” in color. But ArmourAll seems to have fixed that issue.

I kind of knew sparying brake cleaner on plastic was a bad idea. But I did it anyways.

 

FYI - I just got an email from Powerstop. They are sending me a replacement caliper free of charge. Pretty good customer service I'd say.

I did a little more research about brake cleaner. It seems that non-chlorinated brake cleaner will damage paint, powder coating, plastic, and a bunch of stuff while the regular chlorinated brake cleaner supposedly will not. Guess I've got a couple calipers to test it on now.

 

Simple green works great for me.

 

Simple green

 

rain water harvested from road during driving