Alcohol and brake cleaner seems to be the recommended options for cleaning disc brake rotors. I don't have any of that available currently, so are there any suiltable alternatives to them that can be used safely?
asked Jul 13, 2014 at 10:25
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Hot water and a medium hard brush!– CarelJul 13, 2014 at 13:34
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You live in a dry county, eh? You just need to get to know the local moonshiner. (Plain water should work, sort of. A little detergent could be added if you're careful to rinse thoroughly.)– Daniel R HicksJul 13, 2014 at 13:39
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Moonshine is still drinkable (its even fashionable now, given how much "artisan moonshine" you see these days)! I'd think one would have isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) in a dry county/country as well =). I think a bit of dish soap and hot water would work, but given how easy it is to get rubbing alcohol, I don't really see a case where you would be cleaning your brake rotors but couldn't get it easily...– BatmanJul 13, 2014 at 14:59
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One alternative is just a dry rag and wait until you get some alcohol or brake cleaner. I would not put a detergent on them.– paparazzoJul 13, 2014 at 20:48
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1 Answer
The main question is why are they needing cleaning, as this drives the need for chemicals.
If its normal road and trail mud and grime, as suggested in the comments, hot water and a nylon scrubbing pad (even a "goldilocks" type metal one if used gently). If you remove the wheels to be safe, then use a bit dish washing detergent and rinse well with hot water and dry off with a cloth. If you need a bit more "omph" the toothpaste is mildly abrasive and easily washes off afterwards. Try not to touch the rotor once cleaned.
If you have oil contamination, and the above has not worked, you will need a solvent - anything volatile that does not leave a residue should be OK as long as it does not get on the pads, bearings or or tires. White petrol is ideal. However if there is oil on the pads they should be replaced.
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What do you mean by white petrol? I'm guessing mineral spirits, since googling white petrol brings up vasaline...– BatmanJul 14, 2014 at 0:53
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Name is very country specific. Also known as White spirits, White Gas, - Often used for liquid fueled camping cookers and maps (But its not Kerosine). "Shellite" (not the explosive kind, but it is explosive) is one brand I know of. Its essentially an 80 Octane Petrol ('Gas' for North Americans)– mattnzJul 14, 2014 at 1:04