Bicycle Mechanics - non-clorinated brake cleaner?

I was trying to clean my cassette and thought of how I clean my guns, with non-clorinated brake cleaner. It was easy hosing off the places my brush couldn't get to. Has anyone else tried this? I suppose I should have asked first but it's not my way. I would imagine you should try and keep it off the paint. It really got the goop out of the hard to reach areas of my rear deraillur also.

I'm sure it works, but that stuff is a really strong cleaner/degreaser. Its probably not good on rubber items like tires.

I find citrus cleaner works really well at cleaning greasy dirt and it washes off with water.

I've used it a couple of times for a quickie clean. It does work great, but then you need to clean your wheels up. I was worried it would remove grease from the hub too. I would think it would be OK on rubber as all auto brake systems use rubber dust seals around the caliper or brake cyl. pistons. You definately DO NOT want to get it on painted surfaces.

I've used it on a really grungy cassette and it worked extremely well. I was cautious not to get it where it could leak into my hubs but soon after I cleaned the cassette I gave the wheel a spin and heard some slight gritty noise. Since I don't have the tools to open up my hub yet I don't know if any damage was done but they seem fine now. It was on a beater bike anyway.

I would say proceed with extreme caution. Also just remove the rear wheel so you don't have to worry about paint or any finishes that might be damaged. It didn't seem to do any damage where it got on the tires either.

I also wound up with grit in the hub from using brake cleaner. Fluid runs everywhere. It DOES clean though!!!

With hubs, I've found that you have to make sure some effort to make sure no dissolved grease and other stuff are hiding in the nooks and crannies, but that's with pretty much any degreasing process.

Take the dang cassette OFF before cleaning!
And mineral spirits work just fine, especially using a parts cleaning brush or old toothbrush.
Auto shops have been using that for years. But wear gloves!:rolleyes:

It's usually not too bad on paint, watch out for compatibility with plastics. Doesn't harm my derailler but ate up my fenders.

Take the dang cassette OFF before cleaning!


Yes! And the derailleur too! If you've sprayed that stuff all over your cassette and your derailleur while they were in place, you have definitely contaminated your hub bearings. They should be overhauled as soon as possible to avoid damage.

Take the dang cassette OFF before cleaning!
And mineral spirits work just fine, especially using a parts cleaning brush or old toothbrush.
Auto shops have been using that for years. But wear gloves!:rolleyes:

+1 on taking off the cassette and if you have a cassette with plastic(phelonic) spacers like some Sram's check to make sure the cleaner will not attack them.