Cleaning brake calipers?

[Ducman]

Not a big deal but frustrating-why can't I get a relatively new set of Carrera calipers clean? Scrubbing with the normal brake clean solutions just does not do the job. Anyone have a better trick?

Don

[dave 911]

I just did mine over the last couple of weeks. I used 90% alcohol and lots of rags to get them 'clean' and then repainted them w/ rattle can caliper paint.

You can see the before (before painting, after cleaning) and after shots here....

Help needed - rear caliper piston alignment (w photos)

I did the fronts last year, and the paint has held up well, and they cleaned up nicely after ~1000 miles of driving w/ just a cotton ball and alcohol, they look as good as the rears that I just painted.

Good luck!

[NoLift911]

Originally Posted by Ducman

Not a big deal but frustrating-why can't I get a relatively new set of Carrera calipers clean? Scrubbing with the normal brake clean solutions just does not do the job. Anyone have a better trick?

Don

Dremel with a soft wire wheel brush...then rub them down to get rid of debri with some brake cleaner and then shoot them with a clear enamel that can withstand high temps. Next time they are dirty just hit them with the hose.

[ejp]

I'm reviving this old thread because I still have some questions.

I use degreaser (Simple Green) and Scotch Brite pads whenever I get in there to replace pads, bleed/flush, etc on my '88. Nice shiny calipers just look cool. When I finish, they tend to look shinier, but never like new - with that gold-colored zinc/cadmium coating. I don't scrub the crap out of them, just a quick once-over to remove the road grime and brake dust. Does the Scotch Brite remove/damage the zinc coating?

If so, any tips on cleaning them without damaging the finish?

[Nickshu]

Send them here:

PMB Performance

[ejp]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

Send them here:

PMB Performance

Thank you for the post. I know all about PMB - and am way ahead of you on this (when my calipers actually need to be restored). What I'm wondering is how to clean the calipers in a way that it won't destroy the zinc finish so I don't have the send them to PMB before they're really ready for restoration.