Caliper Cleaning

Acox914 · 03-15-2004, 03:56 PM

Hey guys,

i have some M calipers that im cleaning. i want to get them clean enough to the point where i can pain them red with caliper paint (yeah i know...ricer style

). they are still loaded (ie pistons and seals in bore, and bleader valve in place). i tried rubbing alcohol....not very effective. brake cleaner says it eats rubber so, that's out of the question.

Zeke · 03-15-2004, 04:30 PM

Scrub 'em with undiluted Simple Green.

Acox914 · 03-15-2004, 04:43 PM

will that hurt the rubber?

MXMARK · 03-15-2004, 05:34 PM

will that hurt the rubber? I don't think so it will just leave a film on them. How about taking them apart and giving them a good cleaning. Just an idea. Mark

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

use heat. Hot soapy water will soften teh dirt, grease, grime and hardened brake muck.

MXMARK · 03-15-2004, 06:22 PM

Aaron, Maybe Dawn and make sure you flush out the fluild after and put new fluid in to keep the water out. Mark

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

Rice, rice, baby!

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

urethane clear is brake-fluid proof. I tested it.

Acox914 · 03-15-2004, 06:48 PM

what paint is that? (brand) and where did you buy it?

Zeke · 03-15-2004, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Acox914
will that hurt the rubber?

You can brush your teeth with Siimple Green. It won't hurt a thing except dirt.

Yeah, the hot water is a good idea. I thought anyone would use hot water to strat with, but what do I know?

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

Western brand Urethane. Krylon red. Mar-Hyde grey etching primer

Acox914 · 03-17-2004, 05:05 PM

sean: you dint use specialty hi temp brake caliper paint? how have they held up thus far?

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

really well. 4 months without a blemish. Did I mention that the car is up on blocks

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

contrary to popular myths, brake calipers do not get very hot. Rotors get hot. pads get hot. I did not paint those

Acox914 · 03-22-2004, 06:57 PM

Hey, just a public thanks to MXMARK for putting my calipers in his solvent tank and cleaning them. Thanks,

Aaron

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

did the solvent alone get them clean?

MXMARK · 03-22-2004, 07:15 PM

Aaron, It was nice meeting you and any time. Mark

MXMARK · 03-22-2004, 07:23 PM

Sean, Wire brush and solvent and a little bit of scubbing. Be careful around the piston bores.

Aaron, Please clean the solvent off with Dawn, hot water and Contact cleaner Then repeat. Check after install to make sure center orings are ok or replace center orings. Contact cleaner/brake fluid can eat orings. some dirt may be in center passages make sure you blow them off with air after and blow air in the passages to get them clean.

Mark

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

Warning!!! Actung!!!
all petroleum residue must be washed away wwith alcohol prior to assembly. The petrol attacks your new seals

Acox914 · 03-23-2004, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MXMARK
Sean, Wire brush and solvent and a little bit of scubbing. Be careful around the piston bores.

Aaron, Please clean the solvent off with Dawn, hot water and Contact cleaner Then repeat. Check after install to make sure center orings are ok or replace center orings. Contact cleaner/brake fluid can eat orings. some dirt may be in center passages make sure you blow them off with air after and blow air in the passages to get them clean.

Mark

yep...washed the solvent off and dis some scrubbing when i got home.... blew out passages with air compressor. new rebuild kits arrived via fedex today, so i have something to do this weekend. thanks again for the help, and nice meeting you.

Aaron