Using a flame to clean disc brake pads?
#1
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Using a flame to clean disc brake pads?
I was talking to the owner of my lbs about squeaky disc brakes.
He says that he cleans his by rubbing some alcohol on the pads
and lighting them to burn off the impurities.
Anyone ever hear of this?
He says that he cleans his by rubbing some alcohol on the pads
and lighting them to burn off the impurities.
Anyone ever hear of this?
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I would recommend removing them from the bike first if your going to try but no, flame and bikes do not go together.
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Alcohol burns at a low temp, so it's not like it's going to heat up and mess with the temper of the disc or any metal parts of the bike. Nor should it get hot enough to catch hydraulic brake fluid on fire (~500 degrees).
However, it could still burn hot enough to discolor the finish on any painted part.
Sounds like a bad idea. Alcohol evaporates well if left alone for a couple minutes.
However, it could still burn hot enough to discolor the finish on any painted part.
Sounds like a bad idea. Alcohol evaporates well if left alone for a couple minutes.
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Yeah. There's a chance you can resurrect them by heating them very hot with a torch (glowing) such that all organics are burnt off, but lighting off a little alcohol will do nothing. This might work with metallic pads. Not sure about organic or composite pads.
#6
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Isopropanol (Isopropyl alcohol) (the kind sold in squirt bottles at drug stores) burns at much lower temperatures.
If the OP insisted on burning something with alcohol I would not suggest using ethanol.
Last edited by Deontologist; 08-14-15 at 07:05 PM.
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I've soaked a pad for a bit in alcohol but never lit it. I'd advise having some replacements on hand in case this goes south. Personally I just wash the bike with a high pressure washer, hitting the rotors hard and squirting the pads. I then take it for a ride and they squeal like a banshee a few times and then quiet right down.
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We have used Clean Streak and lit the pads before sanding them when we couldn't replace them Jonny on the spot. Seemed to cure the squeal or lack or friction, at least for the short term. But I don't remember any come backs later complaining. Andy.
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You can remove the pads and put them on a cooking sheet lined with aluminum foil then put them in an oven for a short while. That usually works to remove spilt fluid. Worst case you can spray with brake cleaner after they've cooled. Been doing this for years.
Last edited by EastCoastDHer; 08-16-15 at 05:35 AM. Reason: auto spell hates me
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The flame temp occurs above the surface that's wet and being cooled by evaporation of the alcohol. Very little heat is transferred to the substrate. With a torch, combustion occurs in the flame and the very hot combustion products are directed against the item to be heated. The same goes for holding something just above a flame.
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Are these fluid contaminated or just noisy? I've cleaned lots of fluid contaminated auto pads/shoes with torch and brakleen, but is it worth it on a bike where pads are $10-15 and easy to change out?
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Brake or Carb cleaner will work. The ideal flame temperature of ethanol and propanol are similar, abut 2250°K or 3600°F, but for liquid pooled on a solid metal part it will be much lower. I'd remove the disk and clean with min spirits, or Simple Green in water, and dry with paper towels. Don't know if you can do the same with the pads but given that they're brakes, Brakleen would be worth a try.
Last edited by WizardOfBoz; 08-19-15 at 09:00 PM.
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