rocky_rider

If I ever get grease and/or oil on my brake rotors, what is the best way to clean it off? Is nail polish remover good? Also, what should I do if it gets on my pads? Can I just file them down slightly?

free_pizza

never get oil/grease on your rotor/pads...

the best way to clean rotors/pads would be to use normal rubbing alcohol, and use some very fine grit sand paper to clean the pads

jaypee

I suspect brake cleaner would work well, but it's pretty gnasty stuff.

PatrickMcCabe

I LOVE BRAKE CLEANER!

it works on everything....and yes it is nasty stuff, which is why it works well.

stapfam

I am in the motor trade- where we do get contaminated Brakes- and the best rotor cleaners are based on methanol. Pads if contaminated are never trusted and new are fitted- but saying that- I have used a methanol cleaner on Road contamination and it has worked. Watchout for some of the Motor based Brake cleaners though. Some also carry a certain amount of oil in them to stop corrosion of the steel parts of the calipers. This is quickly taken off with the heat that car brakes get up to but will cause a problem on bikes.

Best way to clean rotors is to wash them with soapy water and lightly take the glaze of with fine Abrasive paper- We call it wet and dry over here. Same with the pads- not the soapy water,but take the glaze off with the wet and dry again.

free_pizza

i probably put maybe 100k on my new Juicy 5's this year, and they really werent performing to my expectations, so i took out the pads, washed them with rubbing alcohol (97 cents at the drug store) and rubbed them with fine grit sand paper, and they worked amazingly well right after.

mx_599

vw addict

Brake cleaner is nasty stuff. Invest in some Clean Streak. Once you contaminate pads they are pretty much FUBAR. That is unless they are semi-metallics. The resin pads soak up oil like it's their job.

Maelstrom 

I have never tried the official stuff, but all third party and "moms home recipe" stuff I have tried didn't work. At this point I am 0 and 4 for cleaning brake pads to the point where they work. Proper brake pad cleaner I can't comment on.

One thing that did work was simply riding and burning any fluid off. I am fortunate because I have a tall lift assisted mountain. I simply took it to the took and rode my brakes the entire way down the mountain (on an easy trail)...that burned any fluid (and LOTS of pad) off my brakes.

vw addict

*Napoleon Dynamite voice* LUCKY!

Jason222

I use the same stuff as mx_599. I just rinse the rotor with some water after I sprayed it.

JohnnyTheFox

I just use some washing up liquid and a scouring pad, seems to work fine aslong as you rinse it well after.

G4teamG

Denatured alcohol. Do not use automotive brake cleaner. Bike rotors do not heat up sufficiently to burn off auto brake cleaner residue. Peace.

the wonginator

:'( ..... RAIYN!!!! RAIYN!!!!!! :'( :'(

WHERE ARE YOU!!!

this is raiyn's question...

Trekbikedude

Yes it is Raiyn's question he has the whole thing. I've probably seen it 200 times.

MudSplattered

The guys at www.downcycle.com recommend broiling your contaminated brake pads in your oven. Cooks out any oils. Of couse, the also recommend coating your bike with WD40 or Pam cooking spray to help shed mud, yuck.

G4teamG

Go to Home Depot and purchase some denatured alcohol in the paint section. Use a lint-free cloth and wipe down all affected areas. DO NOT USE brake cleaner or wd40. People always give advice they would not follow themselves. Use it every 3-trips. Find a hill or just ride the brakes for a few feet and you will be set.

mx_599

no...no, actually i am quite sure brake cleaner is made for brakes and i can assure you it works well. i have used the product posted below many times. i have not, however, had the chance to try wd40

free_pizza

just curious, why a lint free cloth? Any lint is just going to get burnt off anyway.

Maelstrom 

Ya that was one of the "moms" remedies I was talking about. I tried that several times and it never worked.

G4teamG

In that case 80 weight motor oil will do wonders for your brake pads...and life expectancy

WeatherMan

Wow using brake cleaner designed for cars on a bike. Seems to me that most if not all the major brands suggest rubbing or denatured alcohol. Probably has something to do with the fact that car brakes get much hotter and would be able to cook off any residue left by the brake cleaner

the wonginator

okay i REALLY miss raiyn now. WHERE IS HE?! the spelling nazi....

cryptid01

^^haha, funny.

The Poster Formerly Known As Raiyn (TPFKAR until more people figure it out) is such a rockstar.

Ironically enough, I noticed he has a grammatical error in his new profile, though, hmm...

dminor 

It's all the same compounds - - the vehicle makes no difference. I'm with MX_599 - -my first defense would be to at least TRY CRC Brakleen.

I've salvaged numerous clunker-car brake shoes with that wonderful stuff in my checkered past. I don't anymore because I can finally afford better cars/parts, but every good home shop needs a can anyway.