Brake safe cleaning products?

[RipGroove]

As well as my ebike I ride an Inspired Fourplay with Magura MT7's which you only have to breathe on (slight exaggeration) in order to contaminate the pads and rotors and as the style of riding that that bike sees doesn't generate any heat in the pads and rotors contamination is always only fixed by replacing it all so whenever I clean that bike the pads and wheels get removed and after cleaning the the bike I gently rub the wheels down with some muc-off on a cloth and then refit the pads and wheels but this doesn't happen very often because it's very rare that it actually gets dirty anyway as it's a street trials bike. I did also have a regular MTB but just pressure washing that with plain water at a low pressure always did the trick but I don't want to go blasting the emtb so will need to rely on some cleaning products to break down the dirt a bit.

So now I have an eMTB I'm wondering how I'm going to regularly clean it without having to go through the faff that I do with the trials bike? Are there any cleaners that won't contaminate my pads? I'm kind of thinking that I'll remove the battery, hose everything off with just a hose (maybe a pressure washer turned down low, but obviously not blasted anywhere it shouldn't be), cover the brake calipers with plastic bags or something and the rotors with tin foil or whatever then apply some kind of brake safe cleaner, agitate then hose off.

And when it comes to degreasing the chain and cassette I'll have to again cover the calipers and rotors and brush on some degreaser of some kind, rinse off and brush on some lube.

So, how are y'all doing it and what are you using?

 

[Alexbn921]

99% alcohol and a paper towel. Do not use a rag.

If you need to clean the pad, fresh sandpaper, then alcohol and a paper towel.

Don't spray anything else on the rotors or pads.

 

[RipGroove]

99% alcohol and a paper towel. Do not use a rag.

If you need to clean the pad, fresh sandpaper, then alcohol and a paper towel.

Don't spray anything else on the rotors or pads.

Thanks but for reference I was wondering what products to use to clean the rest of the bike, something wouldn't matter if it got on the pads and rotors.

 

[Another One]

Thanks but for reference I was wondering what products to use to clean the rest of the bike, something wouldn't matter if it got on the pads and rotors.

Any Bike cleaner will do I use muc offs.

 

[Tim1023]

The point you made about covering the brakes and discs whilst cleaning the rest of the bike, especially the drivetrain should help you a lot.

 

[Mikerb]

To clean the bike I just use a couple of brushes and then a damp rag. Then cover the callipers with paper towel and use silicone shine on a soft cloth to finish off. To clean the chain I use a used muc off spray bottle with degreaser and work that in with 2 tooth brushes. Then wipe clean and spray with water..from a used Muc off bottle. Wipe and leave a while to dry then lube with dry lube.

ps if you bike is invisiframed you are mostly only cleaning plastic

 

[steve_sordy]

I use "Sh1t Shifter" from Hope (yes, the bike parts maker). I spray it neat onto the oily bits and then brush in then hose off with water. The spray and the subsequent water splash go everywhere. I have no problems with brake contamination. I also mix up a weaker solution in a spray bottle when the bike is particularly mucky and give it a good dowsing all over the bike.

This cleaner does not harm aluminium, carbon fibre, anodised components, or paint.

The following link is to show you the product, but I buy it in 5-litre containers and tip it into garden sprayers.

Hope Sh1t Shifter Cleaner

Hope Shit Shifter Cleaner will degrease your bike.

www.stifmtb.com

 

[RipGroove]

I use "Sh1t Shifter" from Hope (yes, the bike parts maker). I spray it neat onto the oily bits and then brush in then hose off with water. The spray and the subsequent water splash go everywhere. I have no problems with brake contamination. I also mix up a weaker solution in a spray bottle when the bike is particularly mucky and give it a good dowsing all over the bike.

This cleaner does not harm aluminium, carbon fibre, anodised components, or paint.

The following link is to show you the product, but I buy it in 5-litre containers and tip it into garden sprayers.

Hope Sh1t Shifter Cleaner

Hope Shit Shifter Cleaner will degrease your bike.

www.stifmtb.com

That's really good to know, thanks!

 

[RipGroove]

Never had a problem with good old dawn dish detergent and water.

Fair play. I'm far to scared to put dish soap near my brake pads

 

[RebornRider]

I've been using Dawn brand dish washing soap from the kitchen (washing up liquid in UK?) for years. My brakes work just as well after a bike wash as they do when I wipe the disks and pads with CRC Brakleen. Better, even, because I usually need to re-bed them a few times after using Brakleen, but not after a bike wash. I only use products marketed as a degreaser to clean the chain with my Park Tool CM25 (the Cyclone broke).