The brakes are crucial to your safety on the road. A malfunctioning braking system could lead to accidents, as it increases the risk of you losing control of your ride.
Dirt and grime in the brakes are among the most common reasons behind faulty brakes. Luckily, keeping them from affecting your brakes is as easy as using brake cleaners.
Before using brake cleaners, you must a mask, safety glasses, and gloves as a safety precaution. You’ll also need a jack to lift your vehicle to access the brakes. Once that’s done, follow the steps below:
Depending on the state of your brake pads, some of them might need a second application to ensure they’re dirt- and grime-free.
Brake cleaners are cleaning solutions designed to effectively remove grease, oil, dust, and dirt from brake parts. They are usually in aerosol form, so they’re easy to apply compared to other cleaning solutions.
Here are some benefits of using brake cleaners:
Don’t put off cleaning your brakes when they make squealing noises or excessively vibrate and when the ABS starts malfunctioning. Clean them as well during your scheduled maintenance.
Built-up dirt can cause uneven braking, which could make a squealing noise due to the dust trapped between the brake pad and the brake disc or rotor. Using a brake cleaner is an effective way to remove the debris, which should free up the affected components.
Dirt buildup contributes to disc thickness variation (DTV), which leads to pressure being applied to the rotor in uneven places, creating vibration when braking. It could damage the brake pads because it accelerates the deterioration process. Using a brake cleaner would remove buildups and prevent DTV.
Additionally, a thick rotor or an overheating brakes that warped the rotors.
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking when braking. It relies on a sensor to monitor the wheel speed and applies the brakes accordingly, preventing a lock-up and ensuring you maintain control of your vehicle.
Like other vehicle components, the ABS could develop issues due to built-up dirt, dust, and debris. They could cause the sensor to pick up inaccurate wheel speed. Just ensure you wipe it down afterward to prevent rusting.
Following your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance is a crucial step in prolonging its lifespan. It includes cleaning and maintaining the brakes to ensure their optimal performance, and you can do that using brake cleaners.
You can use household items, such as acetone, white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, lemon juice, and baking soda if you don’t have a brake cleaner. These are excellent cleaning agents that work just as well as commercial cleaners.
Acetone is a liquid solvent that breaks down different substances. It’s most popularly known as an ingredient in nail polish remover and similar products.
One of the advantages of acetone is that it stays longer on your vehicle because it doesn’t evaporate quickly. It’s an effective long-term alternative compared to other cleaning agents.
Because vinegar is a staple in most kitchens, it’s considered one of the easiest substitute cleaning agents to get hold of. It works well against tough stains or dirt on your brakes or brake pads.
To use it, dip a clean cloth in vinegar and wrap it around the brake part. Leave it swaddled overnight for better results.
Alcohol is an effective alternative to brake cleaners because it dries quickly, kills bacteria and fungus, and removes tough stains. It’s also a staple in households, so it’s not a hassle to get.
Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent because it’s a mild alkali that causes dirt to dissolve easily in water. It’s also a natural product used in cooking, which ensures it’s non-toxic, unlike the other alternatives, such as acetone.
To use it for cleaning brake parts, take half a cup of baking soda and mix it with water to create a paste. Apply it to a clean rag, then scrub the dirty brake part with it.
If you’re out of options, try lemon juice. Simply spray a generous amount on the area and let it sit and dry for an hour or two. Then, rub the same area until there aren’t any traces left.
You can also heat the lemon juice if the dirt and stains are tough to remove. However, if you have better alternatives, it’s best to use them instead because lemon juice isn’t as effective as other cleaners.
Brake cleaners keep various brake parts free of dirt and grime that can damage them. Since the brakes are critical to road safety, you need a product that you can rely on. Luckily, CarParts.com makes it easy to find the right brake cleaner for your car.
CarParts.com is your one-stop shop for high-quality parts, accessories, and garage essentials like brake cleaners. Seen only products that meet your requirements by plugging your car’s details into our website’s built-in vehicle selector. After finding the part that meets your requirements and fits your budget, you only need a few taps on your phone’s screen to place your order. If you’re in the continental US and order before noon ET, you can get your new brake cleaner in as quickly as two business days.
For competitively priced and reliable brake cleaners, look no further than CarParts.com. Check out our brake cleaners and enjoy great value when you get one today.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.