Cleaning Disc Brake Piston

quarkrad809
quarkrad809 Posts: 43
in Workshop

About to change pads and spotted pistons could do with a clean. I've read everything from using isopropyl alcohol through to soapy water via using the same oil as your brake type. (e.g. mineral oil for shimano brakes). One school of thought seems to be 'don't use (e.g. mineral oil) the brake type oil as this will leave a thin film of oil which will attract dirt'. (I can see the sense of this). Just wondering what method experienced users use to clean the outer of the piston. (I'm not taking the piston(s) out - just cleaning the outside edge).

Comments

  • feelgoodlost
    feelgoodlost Posts: 340

    Just use disc brake cleaner and then clean round the edges of the piston with a cotton bud. Rinse and repeat. Using a little brake oil on a cotton tip once the area is clean to help lubricate the pistons on the edges should be fine as long as you clean up any excess afterwards.

    https://www.strava.com/athletes/442763
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,888

    I use a cut down old toothbrush, some screwfix degrease and give it a good scrubbing. Then when dry, shock horror, a good spray of GT85!!! Let it soak in then I floss the lot with old cotton tee-shirt strips to remove any trace that might contaminate the pads or disc.

    Works for me.


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • trevor.hall12
    trevor.hall12 Posts: 493

    Isopropyl.alcohol then push the pistons out half way ,small amount of whatever oil they use

    Move the pistons in and out a couple of times

    Clean with a rag ,pads back in

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