Question: Does Brake Cleaner Remove Rust?

Rusty brake components like rotors look unsightly and can negatively impact braking efficiency. To maintain your car’s brake system, you must keep all the parts free of dirt and rust. And while there are many ways of getting rid of rust, many drivers wonder if brake cleaner is effective.

So, does brake cleaner remove rust? This article lets you know if brake cleaners can eliminate rust. You’ll also learn how to apply brake cleaner on various parts of your brake system.

Question: What is Brake Cleaner?

Brake cleaner (parts cleaner) is a powerful solvent-based solution mainly used to remove dirt/contaminants from various brake system components. It comprises a combination of chemicals that break down and wash away elements. Some of these chemicals include acetone and toluene.

Brake cleaners can remove and prevent the accumulation of dirt, dust, grease, and other substances on the brake components. They are available in aerosol spray cans to ensure easier and more effective application.

Whether you want to clean your brake rotors, calipers, pads, or drums, brake cleaner will get the job done. It works by dissolving and washing away contaminants accumulating on the brake components. Moreover, brake cleaners penetrate easily, thoroughly cleaning parts without disassembling your brakes.

Question: Does Brake Cleaner Remove Rust?

Yes, brake cleaners remove rust, but that depends on how much rust is on the component. Your brake cleaner will dissolve or displace rust on the rotors, pads, calipers, brake shoes, and more. If there’s no considerable accumulation of rust, you can spray some brake cleaner and wipe it away with a rag.

A substantial amount might require more work, like scrubbing with steel wool or a wire brush. Additionally, you’ll need to apply more brake cleaner. If the rust persists, you might need a different approach, like soaking the affected part in a chemical solution.

Alternatively, a household solution, like white vinegar and salt mixture, can help clear stubborn rust.

Answer: How to Remove Rust With Brake Cleaner

The spray bottle that holds brake cleaner helps eliminate rust accumulating on brake components. You can spray the brake cleaner directly on the rotors and brake pads if they’re the most affected parts. In that case, you don’t need to disassemble your brakes.

However, if rust affects the rotors, pads, calipers, and other brake parts, you’ll need to take them off. Below are the steps to help you remove rust with a brake cleaner:

  1. Remove the tire with the rusted brake components. Jack up your car and remove the wheel. Remember to place wooden blocks or wheel chocks behind the tires to prevent your vehicle from rolling away.
  2. Clean the brake components with a wire brush or steel wool. The goal is to clear any accumulated dirt and stubborn rust. Scrub the rotors to remove the stubborn rust. You can also remove the pads and calipers and scrub them if necessary.
  3. Place a tray/drip pan underneath the rotor to catch any runoff.
  4. Spray the rotors, brake pads, and calipers with your brake cleaner. It’ll only take a few applications to get rid of rust on your brake components.
  5. Allow the brake cleaner to dissolve all the rust. Then, wipe away the parts with a clean rag. If some rust remains, keep spraying and scrubbing with your wire brush until all the rust is gone.
  6. Replace the rim and lower your jack slowly.

Note: A wire brush can leave scrape lines or marks on your brake rotors or pads. So, scrub them gently without creating any marks. For better results, start with gentle motions before applying firm pressure.

Answer: Safety Measures When Using Brake Cleaner

We’ve already answered your question: does brake cleaner remove rust? Now, let’s look at the potential risks of using a brake cleaner on your brakes.

As mentioned earlier, brake cleaners come with powerful chemicals that dissolve substances. Some, like acetone, tetrachlorethylene, and methylene chloride, are toxic. They can cause skin and eye irritation. So, always wear safety gloves and goggles when spraying brake cleaner on your rusted brake parts.

Besides being toxic, brake cleaners are flammable. So, use them in a well-ventilated area. You should also ensure there’s no source of fire nearby. Again, turn off the engine when applying brake cleaner to prevent a fire hazard in the case of electrical shorts.

Brake cleaners can damage your car tires. If you read the instructions from the spray can, you’ll find warnings about spraying on rubber and plastic materials. Since tires are made of rubber, you must prevent them from contacting your cleaner.

Avoid spraying brake cleaners on your car’s paint. A brake cleaner can damage the paint, causing it to peel off. Cover the painted areas on your vehicle that are more likely to be sprayed. Check the wind direction to avoid blowing the cleaner on other painted areas.

Answer: Benefits and Downsides of Brake Cleaners

Benefits:

  • Easy to apply, thus conserving energy and time.
  • It removes clogs on your brake components, including rust.
  • The application requires minimal preparations, especially if there’s no huge accumulation of rust.
  • Removing rust with brake cleaners improves the overall brake performance.
  • When applied regularly, brake cleaners can prolong the service life of brake pads, rotors, and calipers.
  • Brake cleaners reduce brake squeals.
  • Brake cleaners are versatile; you can use them to clean other metallic parts in your car, including the clutch.

Downsides:

  • Brake cleaners have toxic chemicals that can cause skin and eye irritation.
  • Some brake cleaners, particularly chlorinated ones, are flammable and thus not ideal for indoor applications.
  • The volatile organic compounds in brake cleaners are harmful to the environment.

FAQs

Does brake cleaner need to be rinsed off?

After applying brake cleaner, you don’t need water to rinse the brake parts. A clean rag is all you need to wipe your brake parts.

How long does it take for brake cleaner to evaporate?

After applying a brake cleaner, expect it to evaporate in about 6-7 minutes.

Is brake cleaner better than degreaser?

If you’re cleaning brake components, always stick to brake cleaners. While an engine degreaser is more affordable, it can leave behind a residue affecting braking efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Does brake cleaner remove rust from brake components? Yes, brake cleaners will clear any rust accumulating on your brake parts. However, stubborn rust might require aggressive methods like scrubbing the affected brake parts with a wire brush or steel wool.

Soak your rotors, brake pads, and calipers in a chemical bath if the rust fails to come out. Alternatively, soak these parts in a tub containing a mixture of white vinegar and salt.