What can contaminte brake pads ?

DTM12

I usually give my bike a good clean ater every ride and if it has been very wet, I often squirt a bit GT85 or similar water displacer around a few vitals, can you tell me whether a bit of GT85 aroud the rotors would contaminate the pads ? not talking about direct spraying onto the pads just perhaps a slight overspray.

tmg

Lets think about this one

Breaks + Lube = ?????

DTM12

Fair comment, but its not a question as to whether its going to effect the short term performance it is whether the pads are now buggered or will it just wear off if I clean the rotors

tmg

You can try and clean them but if you've sprayed lube on them then I personally wouldn't take the risk and I would simply replace them

the lube will pentrate into the pad so its not a case of cleaning the surface

russ0228

you can prety much kiss you pads goodbye if you have been out riding after you sprayed the pads. if you haven't riden it after you spayed them you might be able to burn them. this procedure involves soaking the pads with isoprpyl alcohol (brake cleaner) and set them on fire to burn the spray out of them..
the other way is by sticking them in the oven for 15min.(without the brake cleaner on them of course).
evryone has made your mistake, even the people who know better have done it. they probably won't admit it thought.

* tip of the day*
spray the gt85 (other sprays are available) on to a cloot,,, or a cloth if you are english and wipe down your frame that way.

DTM12

Oh bugger !
I havent directly sprayed the rotors, just worried that a bit of overspray may have got on there. I tried to direct it away in the meantime I have cleaned the rotors off with acetone so I guess it may have cleaned them up, but I suppose I will see on my ride on Sunday

nicklouse

next time bag the disc and rotors. or apply it with a rag.

jayson

Wrap an old rag round ur rotors until you've finished lubing then remove it, job done!!!

nicklouse

jayson wrote:

Wrap an old rag round ur rotors until you've finished lubing then remove it, job done!!!

only if it is CLEAN.

DTM12

MAybe I got away with it !
I tried the bike earlier, only on the road, but the brakes felt pretty sharp to be honest. I guess I would really know about it if the pads were contaminated ! Maybe I didnt get as much on as first thought

dav1

stick them in the oven, worked a treat on my pads when i contaminated them.

nicklouse

Dav1 wrote:

stick them in the oven, worked a treat on my pads when i contaminated them.

unless you melt the bonding agent.

once contaminated there is nothing that will bring them back to the contition they were before.

doint this and that can get them better than they were but not anywhere as good as they were.

toasty

I'd not give up instantly, go for an hour ride, made infinitely more exciting by not being able to brake, it's sometimes just the water or a very small amount from the air. I've had them go very, very weak a couple of times and a ride has always sorted them (both times I've ordered replacement pads, doh).

Saying that I've never sprayed GT85 on the rotors :P

bradders1979

I second the oven trick - nice and hot (full whack) for 20 mins, then repeat the bedding in process. Good as new for me!