Brake Cleaner: Meaning, Uses, Ingredients & More
What is Brake Cleaner?
Brake cleaner is a type of solvent-based aerosol cleaner used to remove grease, oil, and other contaminants from brake parts and brake assemblies. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, brake cleaner is defined as “a product designed to remove oil, grease, brake fluid, brake pad material or dirt from motor vehicle brake mechanisms” (NJ DEP).
The purpose of brake cleaner is to clean and degrease brake components, including brake pads, rotors, calipers and drum brakes. It removes built-up grease, oil and dirt that can reduce braking effectiveness. Brake cleaner works by using powerful solvents to break down and dissolve contaminants. When sprayed onto brake components, it helps wash away debris and restore friction surfaces. It evaporates quickly without leaving behind residue that could harm braking performance.
Overall, brake cleaner is an important automotive product used to maintain and restore optimal braking power by cleaning brake parts down to the base material.
Types of Brake Cleaner
There are two main types of brake cleaner: chlorinated and non-chlorinated. Both can effectively remove brake dust, grease, and oil from brake parts, but they have some key differences.
Chlorinated Brake Cleaner
Chlorinated brake cleaner contains methylene chloride, a powerful solvent that quickly dissolves grime. According to one source, “Chlorinated brake cleaner is the stronger of the two options. The methylene chloride allows it to cut through almost anything on your brake parts with ease.” (https://apelusa.com/brake-cleaner-difference/)
The main advantages of chlorinated brake cleaner are:
- More effective at removing stubborn deposits and grease
- Dries faster than non-chlorinated formulations
However, chlorinated brake cleaners are also more hazardous to use. Breathing in methylene chloride vapors can be dangerous, and it can irritate skin and eyes. Proper ventilation and protective equipment are essential when using chlorinated brake cleaner.
Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner
Non-chlorinated brake cleaners use less toxic solvents like acetone, heptane, methanol, and toluene. According to experts, “Non-chlorinated brake cleaner is safer for you and better for the environment but doesn’t work quite as aggressively as chlorinated cleaner.” (https://apelusa.com/chlorinated-brake-cleaner/)
The advantages of non-chlorinated brake cleaner are:
- Less hazardous to work with
- Less irritating to skin and eyes
- More environmentally friendly
The tradeoff is that non-chlorinated cleaners are less effective at removing caked-on grease and oils. Multiple applications may be needed to fully clean brake parts. Allowing longer dwell times can help non-chlorinated cleaners work more effectively.
Brake Cleaner Ingredients
Brake cleaners contain various chemical solvents that are effective at removing oil, grease, and other contaminants from brake parts. The main ingredients include:
- Tetrachloroethylene – Also known as perc or PCE, this chlorinated solvent is found in chlorinated brake cleaners. It is an effective degreaser but is toxic and a suspected carcinogen [1].
- Trichloroethylene – Another chlorinated solvent that is an effective cleaner but also toxic and poses health risks [2].
- Acetone – A colorless, flammable liquid solvent used in some non-chlorinated brake cleaners. It dissolves oils well but can irritate skin and eyes.
- Heptane – A highly flammable alkane hydrocarbon derived from petroleum. It has fast evaporation but can be toxic if inhaled [3].
- Alcohol solvents like methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol are sometimes added and aid in quick cleaning and drying.
These chemical solvents are able to penetrate and dissolve accumulated oil, grease, brake fluid, and other contaminants through chemical reactions. The combination of solvents is designed to provide fast, effective cleaning without leaving any residue.
How to Use Brake Cleaner
When using brake cleaner, it’s important to take proper safety precautions. Always work in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing in the fumes. Wear protective gloves and eyeglasses. Read all warning labels before use.
Here is a step-by-step process for effectively using brake cleaner on brakes:
- Remove the wheels from the vehicle and disassemble the brakes to access all components.
- Test spray the brake cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first to check for any adverse reactions with the brake parts.
- Shake the brake cleaner can well before use.
- Spray liberally on all brake parts, including the brake pads, rotors, calipers and brake hardware. Ensure all surfaces are thoroughly coated.
- Allow the chemical to sit for 5-10 minutes to fully penetrate grease and oil buildup.
- Use a brake brush or rag to wipe away grime and deposits as the cleaner breaks them down.
- For drum brakes, insert a clean rag into the brake assembly and pull back and forth to remove contaminants.
- Once all parts are clean, rinse off with water and dry fully with a clean rag or compressed air.
- Reassemble brakes and wheels when finished.
For best results, use brake cleaner regularly and as preventive maintenance. Always use a quality, non-chlorinated formula from a reputable brand. Follow all directions and safety precautions. Allow cleaner to fully evaporate before reassembling brakes.
Source: https://knowhow.napaonline.com/how-to-use-brake-parts-cleaner-the-right-way/
Brake Cleaner Uses
Brake cleaner is designed specifically for cleaning automotive brake parts. It quickly and effectively removes brake fluid, grease, oil, and other contaminants from brake pads, rotors, calipers and other brake components. Brake cleaner evaporates quickly and leaves no residue, ensuring optimal brake system performance. Proper application of brake cleaner helps prevent squeaks, grinding, and diminished braking power caused by contamination buildup
Some key uses of brake cleaner for brake parts include:
- Cleaning brake pads prior to installation to remove manufacturing oils and debris
- Removing built-up grease and oil from brake caliper pistons and bores
- Cleaning brake rotors to remove oil and road grime before installation
- Degreasing brake backing plates and dust shields
- Cleaning antilock brake system (ABS) sensors to remove contaminants
In addition to brake system applications, brake cleaner is commonly used as an engine degreaser. It can dissolve and wash away built-up oil, grease and sludge from engine blocks and components. Mechanics often use brake cleaner for tasks like:
- Cleaning an engine prior to disassembly for repair or rebuild
- Degreasing engine parts like the oil pan, valve covers and intake manifold
- Removing oil and contaminants from cylinder heads
- Cleaning carbon deposits and sludge from inside the engine
Brake cleaner can also be used as a general degreasing agent to remove dirt, grease, grime and adhesives from a variety of surfaces. Some examples include:
- Cleaning concrete garage and shop floors
- Degreasing lawn mower engines and parts
- Removing scuff marks from floors and walls
- Cleaning tools, equipment and machine parts
Advantages of Brake Cleaner
Brake cleaner has several notable advantages that make it a useful product for automotive maintenance and repair. The fast-acting formula is able to quickly break down and dissolve grime, grease, brake fluid, and other debris on brake parts (https://knowhow.napaonline.com/brake-cleaner-cant-live-without/). This allows brake cleaner to provide deep cleaning of brake pads, rotors, calipers, and other components to restore optimal brake performance.
In addition to brake parts, brake cleaner can be safely used on many other automotive parts like carburetors, CV joints, and air intake components. The powerful spray helps remove built-up grease and residues to extend the life of these parts (https://reinol.co.nz/products/brake-clean-20l). Brake cleaner’s versatility makes it useful for a wide range of automotive cleaning jobs beyond just brake maintenance.
Overall, brake cleaner’s fast-acting cleaning abilities allow it to dissolve brake dust, fluids, and grime that can compromise brake operation. And its versatility enables it to be used for deep cleaning jobs throughout a vehicle’s systems.
Disadvantages of Brake Cleaner
While brake cleaner can effectively remove oil, grease, and brake dust from braking components, it does have some notable downsides that users should be aware of.
One disadvantage is that brake cleaner can damage paint and plastic parts if sprayed directly on them. The solvents in brake cleaner can cause paint to bubble and peel and can make plastic brittle over time (Tetrachloroethylene, a deadly danger in brake cleaner). So care needs to be taken not to spray brake cleaner onto any painted or plastic components when cleaning brakes.
Another major disadvantage is that inhaling brake cleaner fumes can pose respiratory risks, since most brake cleaners contain toxic chemicals like tetrachloroethylene, xylene and trichloroethylene (Crc 05090 Brakleen Brake Parts Cleaner). The vapors from brake cleaner can irritate the nose, throat and lungs and cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Long-term exposure to the fumes can potentially lead to much more serious health issues like kidney and liver damage (Tetrachloroethylene, a deadly danger in brake cleaner). Proper ventilation and protective equipment like masks should always be used when working with brake cleaner sprays.
So while very effective, brake cleaner does require care and caution during use due to its harsh chemical ingredients. Following all safety precautions like using in a ventilated area and wearing gloves and a mask can help mitigate the potential downsides.
Brake Cleaner Safety
When using brake cleaner, it is important to take proper safety precautions. Brake cleaner contains chemicals that can be harmful if inhaled or make contact with skin or eyes.
According to the Brake Cleaner safety data sheet from CRC Industries (http://docs.crcindustries.com/msds/5151.pdf), brake cleaner should always be used in a well-ventilated area. Exposure to high concentrations can cause dizziness, headache, and narcotic effects. Wearing protective gloves, clothing, eye protection and face protection is recommended to prevent skin and eye contact, which can cause irritation. Brake cleaner should be handled in areas with proper ventilation and away from ignition sources.
The University of North Carolina Environmental Health and Safety office (https://ehs.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2019/02/brake-cleaner.pdf) also advises to make sure there is adequate ventilation when using brake cleaner. Wear proper personal protective equipment like safety glasses and gloves, and avoid skin contact with the liquid. Allow brake parts to fully dry after application before handling them.
By following basic precautions like working in a well-ventilated area, wearing gloves and eye protection, and avoiding skin contact, brake cleaner can be used safely without health hazards.
Environmental Impact
Brake cleaner has a high VOC (volatile organic compound) content, which contributes to air pollution and poses health risks. The main ingredient in most brake cleaners is tetrachloroethylene, a VOC that the EPA has classified as a probable human carcinogen [1]. Improper disposal of brake cleaner can lead to groundwater contamination as VOCs evaporate into the atmosphere or leach into the ground.
Brake cleaner should be disposed of according to hazardous waste guidelines. Empty cans should be taken to hazardous waste collection sites and never discarded in the regular trash. Unused product should also be brought to hazardous waste facilities. Proper PPE like gloves and eye protection should be used when handling brake cleaner [2].
Lower impact alternatives include brake cleaners made with VOC-exempt solvents like acetone or heptane. Water-based cleaners are another option, though care must be taken to fully dry all brake components before reassembly. Manual cleaning with rags and brushes can also minimize use of chemical cleaners [3].
Popular Brands
When it comes to brake cleaner, there are several major manufacturers that dominate the market. These include:
CRC Industries
CRC Industries is one of the leading manufacturers of brake cleaners. Their CRC Brakleen product line offers both aerosol and non-aerosol brake cleaners. CRC Brakleen is designed to quickly remove oil, grease, brake fluid, and other contaminants from brake parts. It features a fast drying formula and leaves no residue behind. CRC Brakleen has received positive reviews from consumers for its effective cleaning ability.
Permatex
Permatex is another major player in the brake cleaner category. Their Fast Orange brake cleaner is a top seller. It comes in both aerosol spray cans and liquid form. Fast Orange is a citrus-based formula that cleans and degreases quickly. It can be used on brake parts, clutches, and more. This brake cleaner has been praised by consumers for its pleasant orange scent and cleaning power.
WD-40
WD-40 is a household name when it comes to solvents and cleaners. They offer a brake parts cleaner that uses a fast-acting formula to remove contaminants. It leaves no residue behind. WD-40 brake parts cleaner is easy to apply and dries quickly. Consumer reviews indicate this is an excellent option for a budget-friendly brake cleaner that still delivers robust cleaning ability.
Overall, brands like CRC, Permatex, and WD-40 are leaders in the brake cleaner category thanks to their effective formulas, reasonable prices, and popularity amongst professional mechanics and DIYers. Comparing consumer reviews can help buyers choose the best brand and product to suit their specific needs.