Answered What strength of IPA do you use on brake pads / rotors?

[StuckintheSpokes]

Wondering if I should get 70% or 99.9%.

 

[Benson]

I use 99%, no idea if it’s right or wrong but the pads haven’t failed or seals perished yet.

 

[skypickle]

why are you pouring beer on your brakes?

 

[steve_sordy]

I've been using 70% on the bike for years and years without any problems.

I'm guessing here, but I'll bet that the 70% will cause fewer problems with your skin than would the 99.9%

 

[Gee]

I use either. Got a big pile of neat IPA as I make my own deicer for the winter.

 

[Rusty]

I use whatever I have available at the time, but 70% works good enough.

 

[Supratad]

why are you pouring beer on your brakes?

I have to say I’ve never heard of “rubbing alcohol” referred to as IPA before.

 

[Rusty]

I have to say I’ve never heard of “rubbing alcohol” referred to as IPA before.

Me neither - usually Isoprop or Isopropyl with occasionally Isopropyl Alcohol.

Saying that, I have had a few IPAs that tasted like Isoprop.

 

[steve_sordy]

Since the lockdown, have you seen the prices of iso-propyl alcohol now!

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I use the 99% stuff, just cos I have it laying around in the workshop.

Since the lockdown, have you seen the prices of iso-propyl alcohol now!

no, I usually buy 5 litres for a tenner.. luckily I have loads left

 

[steve_sordy]

I use the 99% stuff, just cos I have it laying around in the workshop.



no, I usually buy 5 litres for a tenner.. luckily I have loads left

5 litres! I bought 600ml 4-5 years ago and I'm only now starting to run out. But I bet that last bit will go twice as fast!

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

5 litres! I bought 600ml 4-5 years ago and I'm only now starting to run out. But I bet that last bit will go twice as fast!

I get through gallons of it mate, that and pure acetone for mixing up paints, cleaning surfaces and making finishes etc.. also use it for melting plastic for gluing - the list is endless.

 

[Rusty]

Since the lockdown, have you seen the prices of iso-propyl alcohol now!

Dunno - still have about 10L left in the 20L can I bought in 2018.

 

[Supratad]

Brake disc cleaner from Halfords, or Lidl sometimes?

 

[wepn]

Brake disc cleaner from Halfords, or Lidl sometimes?

Rotor cleaners: Muc-Off Disc Brake Cleaner and Soudal Disc Cleaner work well.

IPA: 8% & Hazy works well.

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

5 litres! I bought 600ml 4-5 years ago and I'm only now starting to run out. But I bet that last bit will go twice as fast!

I bought a 125ml bottle two years ago and it's hardly gone down. I used it once, but then I forgot that I had some that's why! Haha.

I've been using 'Fuelite' like since forever from the early days of 'cut & paste' graphic arts - to remove wax from artwork. Works great on just about anything including brake rotors.

 

[routrax]

This is the only IPA I want to know

 

[Supratad]

These modern fruity beers. Ya young whippersnappers. Beer should be unpleasant and warm, and served with a contemptible sneer.

 

[Rusty]

Stuffed if I want my freaking beer tasting of anything other than hops & malted barley.

 

[urastus]

I would use 100% because that is what I have, but I rarely clean them. Why do people clean them? I blast inside the calipers with compressed air before every ride - they always have dust or brake dust? in them. The rotors get a bit of a blast too. The only time I'd clean the pads or rotor is if I've handled them, which is rarely.

 

[TheRealPoMo]

I would use 100% because that is what I have, but I rarely clean them. Why do people clean them? I blast inside the calipers with compressed air before every ride - they always have dust or brake dust? in them. The rotors get a bit of a blast too. The only time I'd clean the pads or rotor is if I've handled them, which is rarely.

This 100%.
Compressed air cleaning and correct adjustment stops disc rubbing noise.
Be sensible tho.
I do use methyl ethyl on the discs after washing or if I have sprayed them with slippery stuff like a knobend.

 

[steve_sordy]

Iso-propyl alcohol is pretty much the stuff used in brake cleaners. Yes, I use it to clean the discs (transporting on a tow bar rack exposes the discs to oily residue from the roads) but I mostly use IPA as a general degreaser. Cleaning up after brake bleeding, wiping over the frame before applying helicopter tape, wiping over rims and forks before applying decals.
In desperation, I also discovered that it is 100% brilliant at removing sun-baked Pine tree sap from my car's paintwork without leaving a mark!

IPA also fuels the Disco Inferno!

When my pads have become contaminated, I lay them pad side up on a concrete surface, tip a little IPA onto the pad, enough to cover the surface. Then I blast the pads (one at a time) with my blowlamp until the edges of the pads glow red. At some point you will see black smoke coming off, then flames (presumably as the contaminant burns off). Once cool, rub the pads in a circular fashion onto some medium grit sandpaper placed on a flat surface. Do this until the black has come off and you can see the pad material (10-15 seconds should do it). You might have to keep blowing off the black dust from the sandpaper . Then wipe over the disc with some IPA then refit the pads and bed them in. Never fails.

 

[routrax]

These modern fruity beers. Ya young whippersnappers. Beer should be unpleasant and warm, and served with a contemptible sneer.

It does look like an awful alcopop, but buy a can/bottle and try it. I haven''t met anyone that didn't like it after trying it!

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

This thread has two unrelated conversations ongoing. Hilarious! ??

 

[Supratad]

I haven''t met anyone that didn't like it after trying it!

That's what my Dominatrix said. Now I'm banned from public swimming baths.

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

That's what my Dominatrix said. Now I'm banned from public swimming baths.

Ok. Make that three conversations... ?

 

[RickBullotta]

Typically something 8% or higher with an IBU level above 65. That's for me to relax. Then I use 70% to clean pads and rotors. In my experience, it works better than brake cleaners with Tetrachloroethylene in them. They leave a residue (even though they're not supposed to). Maybe it doesn't affect automotive brakes, but it doesn't do a very good job on bike brakes for me. Some other things I've added to my approach:

- Fully immerse rotors in a plate/saucer filled with alcohol
- Be sure to clean the inside of the caliper also

Net result is super clean/squeak free/smooth braking.

 

[S D]

Where does everyone buy this magic solution from ?
I’ve been using WD40 contact cleaner but it’s expensive stuff in a small can

 

[Rusty]

Where does everyone buy this magic solution from ?
I’ve been using WD40 contact cleaner but it’s expensive stuff in a small can

All sorts of places. I will get my cans from an industrial chemical supply, but if I only want 1lt I will get it from our equivalent of ebay.
Pharmacies usually sell 500ml and smaller volumes.

 

[ziscwg]

Use 99% if available.
The reason: Lowest possible contaminates. It also evaporates the fastest.

You can use 70% if that is what you have.

DO NOT use hand sanitizer that says it has x % of iso alcohol. these can have additives like aloe or glycerides that are soothing to the skin, but contaminate your brake pads

You can also use disc brake cleaner from an autoparts shop.