How to clean rotor and pads?

bobmij7
bobmij7 Posts: 128
edited June 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
First, I have new pads and my rotor is fine.
I have some old ones which i got with a 2nd hand hope mono mini. They are black, covered in sumthing greasy, probably oil or brake fluid...I was wondering, is there anyway to clean these pads with household products. I think I could save a few coins if i managed to clean them. Basically, same question for a rotor, if a rotor gets crap on it, how would you clean it off?

Would white spirit work?

(please, no stupid or sarcy comments, my question wasnt intentionally stupid!)
Thanks,

James


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Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    NOT white spirit.

    Meths.

    just wash the rotor in the sink then dry then fit. then wipe the braking serface with a clean cloth with meths on.

    pads not worth it. buy new.

    nick
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  • Stinkyboy
    Stinkyboy Posts: 1,135
    do a search, basic answer is, no

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  • zzpza
    zzpza Posts: 24
    i admit to being a bit of a n00b when it comes to bikes, but i have worked on many many cars over the years. i don't see how this would be any different from cleaning car break disks. i would use halfords brake disk cleaner. it's about œ3 or œ4 a spray can.

    jules
  • just wash in the sink maybe muc off or a special disk cleaner from your local bike shop will work probs

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  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by zzpza</i>

    i admit to being a bit of a n00b when it comes to bikes, but i have worked on many many cars over the years. i don't see how this would be any different from cleaning car break disks. i would use halfords brake disk cleaner. it's about œ3 or œ4 a spray can.

    jules
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">very different. please do what you want with your pads. and have fun.

    on bikes there is only one thing to do with contaninated pads and that is bin them.

    nick
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  • mmm_pie
    mmm_pie Posts: 1,934
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by zzpza</i>

    i admit to being a bit of a n00b when it comes to bikes, but i have worked on many many cars over the years. i don't see how this would be any different from cleaning car break disks. i would use halfords brake disk cleaner. it's about œ3 or œ4 a spray can.

    jules
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
    Don't post rubbish in tech.

    not working :(
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by haleybunny</i>

    Sometimes it overheats. You have to make sure it's in a ventilated place all the time.
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
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  • zzpza
    zzpza Posts: 24
    i wasn't advocating cleaning pads. i am interested how bike brake discs are different from car though with regards to cleaning...
  • The Joe Show
    The Joe Show Posts: 9,413
    Think about it.

    Car brakes get a lot hotter, and are a lot more powerful, hence a contaminated pad isn't so much of an issue as the oil/whatever will be burnt/worn off under normal braking.

    Bike brakes lack the heat generation and power to do this. So you've really got no choice but to get new ones.

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  • clarkson
    clarkson Posts: 1,641
    why cant you use white spirit to clean the discs? i use it on mine and have done for the pastr few years with no problemns at all.

    I said hit the brakes not the tree!!
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  • The Joe Show
    The Joe Show Posts: 9,413
    White spirit leaves a residue.

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  • mmm_pie
    mmm_pie Posts: 1,934
    I find its not as effective as meths or turp as well.

    not working :(
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by haleybunny</i>

    Sometimes it overheats. You have to make sure it's in a ventilated place all the time.
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
    LOGO2.jpg
  • bobmij7
    bobmij7 Posts: 128
    no mercy shown in this forum...i guess there's no room idiots?

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  • mmm_pie
    mmm_pie Posts: 1,934
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by bobmij7</i>

    no mercy shown in this forum...<b>i guess there's no room idiots?</b>

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    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
    Been in the Sandbox yet?

    not working :(
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by haleybunny</i>

    Sometimes it overheats. You have to make sure it's in a ventilated place all the time.
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
    LOGO2.jpg
  • mbukfan
    mbukfan Posts: 3,052
    pads never seem to get back to form after they get grease on them

    car disk brake cleans might not work on bike ones as they may leave some stuff on the disk which gets burnt off on a car brake

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  • lugsey2k5
    lugsey2k5 Posts: 960
    same as the rest
    petrol or similar will get them disks like new but pads doubt will ever be the same