What can you use to clean a rotor ?

cpk1

Hi is there anything that you can use to clean the rotor, as i have brake fluid all over it ? Would white spirits work , industrial paint thinners etc or is it better just to buy something in a can which is actually made to do the job ?

nicklouse

cycle brake cleaner or Isopropyl alcohol

or take them off and in the sink with some fair and rinse very well.

islandman

Brillo pad and washing up liquid, perfect every time.

cpk1

Where would i be able to get some Isopropyl alcohol ?

BikingBob

Chemist I get mine from

89% Isopropyl Alcohol

That and a nice fine emery cloth over the surface, very clean rotor......

stubs

Ebay I have used these people the last 2 times I bought and it is the proper 99% pure industrial stuff. Stuff you get from a chemist is only medicianal spirit 70 % still works but doesnt quite have the same oomph
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IPA-ISOPROPYL-ALCOHOL-ISOPROPANOL-1-LITRE-min-99-pure-/220465604731?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Lab_Supplies_ET&hash=item3354c6287b

BikingBob

I'm not going to end up on a terror watch-list ordering that stuff am I????

stubs

No its used for loads of things from making bio diesel to modelmaking. I put some in my screenwash in winter and you never get a frozen windscreen. Unless your name is Osama BikingBob

BikingBob

No, but 470 of my mates have recently just crawled through a 100 meter tunnel ...... they are sat here now cleaning my brake disks.

Seriously...

stubs

ljs1977

Is the muc off disc cleaner any good?

BikingBob

Muc-Off Disc cleaner is also very good, uses a similar chemical make up I think...

ljs1977

Can you spray it into you brakes?

Drysuitdiver

I use a good squirt of car brake cleanr fluid on the rotor and pads ( calipers as well ) cleans all the gunk and dust out nicely and leaves the disc clean and grease free.

nicklouse

Just be aware that some Car disc cleaners do contain oils to help reduce corrosion on the automotive cast iron discs.

this is not good for cycle brakes.

joshtp

IPA from ebay, the 99% stuff. I've bought loads of the stuff from various ebay sellers, perfect every time.

cpk1

Cheers for all the replies

RupertCommunicator

Have you tried chain lube? :twisted:

cavegiant

+1on IPa 99.9% works quite well.

The other norm for me (and not mentioned above) is FIRE!!!

Get a pencil blowtorch and go around the disk slowly, very slowly. You will be able to see the oil as it burns (do not confuse it with the condensate).

if you have one piece rotors, just stick them in the oven on gas mark 3 for 20 minutes.
Do not put two part rotors in the oven, you must pencil torch them.

As brake fluid is hygroscopic, washing the fluid off with water should do it. The above are best for oils, especially fork oil.

cpk1

I have ordered some IPA 99% should do the trick not too expensive either

97th choice

cavegiant wrote:

As brake fluid is hygroscopic, washing the fluid off with water should do it. .

Agree. Not sure that you should need to invest in anything else.