Mountain Biking - Disc Brake Pad Problem

The other day I was cleaning my bike with Pedro's "Bike Lust" - making it nice and purty - and, low and behold, I accidentally sprayed some of good ol' Pedro's lovely concoction on my front disc brake pads. Since this is a wax based fluid, it's acting like I spilled oil on the pads, i.e. I've lost a significant level of stopping power as they don't bite anymore but, rather, they simply slide the rotor to a stop.

I used alcohol to clean off the rotor however, I'm not sure if I want to douse the pad in alcohol.

Do any of you know of a way to clean disc brake pads or are my brand new disc brake pads (I just replaced both front and rear about two weeks ago) completely shot?

Take a Blow torch to them in the driveway to cook the stuff off them.

How long should I "cook" them? Sounds like I need to stop by the hardware store to pick up a crack-torch. Fun.

How long should I "cook" them? Sounds like I need to stop by the hardware store to pick up a crack-torch. Fun.
Generally until they stop smoking. Chances are the contaminate will ignite and burn itself off. Sometimes it needs extra help in the form of extra heat. Make sure to be away from ANYTHING flammable and that you have an extinguisher or hose handy. Let the pads cool on their own

toaster oven, 300F for an hour or so.

toaster oven, 300F for an hour or so.


Very bad idea.

Very bad idea.

I agree; that would likely comprimise the integrity of the pad.

I agree; that would likely comprimise the integrity of the pad.
And the integrity of your house after the oven explodes.
As a rule of thumb i try not to put flammable objects in my oven.

And the integrity of your house after the oven explodes.
As a rule of thumb i try not to put flammable objects in my oven.
Pads and rotors are not very flamable. They see temps much hotter than that on a good downhill. Ever seen a rotor turn blue from heat? 300F is not hot enough to damage the adhesive on the pad either. And it does work. I know the wifey would explode if she caught me cooking pads in the oven. :eek:

Electric and Metal=Bad things.

Electric and Metal=Bad things.
Huh, my toaster oven came with a metal rack and pan. Trust me, the oven thing works great! Throw in some hot dogs while you are at it...Great flavour! :p

Have you tried mud? Slop aloud on the rotor and see if it makes any difference. It can often sort out small contamination problems.
Also try sanding down the surface of the pads, sometimes the contamination is just on the surface of the pad.
You can also try the alcohol or disk brake cleaner it won't harm the pads.

Try heating the pads as a last resort. Using an oven is a bit better as the heat is controllable. It's too easy to heat the pads too much damaging the adhesive or pad material.

Huh, my toaster oven came with a metal rack and pan. Trust me, the oven thing works great! Throw in some hot dogs while you are at it...Great flavour! :pRemember what is on the pads, if for some reason the oven sparks, boom. Me, I'd boil the pads.

Have you tried mud? Slop aloud on the rotor and see if it makes any difference. It can often sort out small contamination problems.
Also try sanding down the surface of the pads, sometimes the contamination is just on the surface of the pad.
You can also try the alcohol or disk brake cleaner it won't harm the pads.

Try heating the pads as a last resort. Using an oven is a bit better as the heat is controllable. It's too easy to heat the pads too much damaging the adhesive or pad material.

This is why I am a fan of boiling pads.