How to Use Brake Cleaners: When to Use Them + Alternatives

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.

How to Use 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:

• Step 1: Place a jack on the wheel you plan on cleaning, then secure the emergency brake and the chocks behind the other wheels. Get the jack ready and use a lug wrench to remove the lug nuts and raise the vehicle until the tire is lifted.
• Step 2: Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.
• Step 3: Spray the brake cleaner on the discs or drums, pads, and calipers. Stay at least two feet away when spraying because direct exposure to the spray may be harmful.
• Step 4: Wipe off the wheel after a while using a clean cloth. Note that the method of applying the cleaner differs depending on the product, so it’s best to read the directions first.
• Step 5: Replace the wheel and tighten the lug nuts. Repeat steps one to four for the remaining wheels.

Depending on the state of your brake pads, some of them might need a second application to ensure they’re dirt- and grime-free.

What Are Brake Cleaners?

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:

• Easy to use
• Improves braking performance
• Extends the lifespan of braking parts
• Removes oil, grease, brake fluid, and dirt from braking parts
• Can reduce noise caused by certain braking components

When Should I Clean My Brakes?

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.

When Your Brakes Make Noise

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.

When Your Brakes Vibrate

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.

When Your ABS Is Inaccurate

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.

During Your Scheduled Maintenance

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.

Alternative 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

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.

White Vinegar

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

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

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.

Lemon Juice

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.

Get Brake Cleaners Delivered to Your Home

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.