Brake & Parts Cleaners
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Professional Brake & Parts Cleaners for Optimal Braking Performance
Brake and parts cleaners are powerful solvents that dissolve oils, greases, brake fluid and other contaminants, with high-pressure spray that physically dislodges and flushes away loosened debris. These essential tools for automotive maintenance ensure the safety and performance of your braking system, extending the life of your brake components and improving vehicle safety.
The main application of brake cleaners is the degreasing and cleaning of metal parts or metallic surfaces, used for removing oils, fats, resins, tar and dust, mainly in motor vehicles. They're especially effective at reaching into tight areas like caliper brackets, rotor vents and other hard-to-clean spots. One key advantage is rapid evaporation—once applied, brake cleaner dries almost instantly, leaving no residue behind, ensuring that cleaned surfaces are ready for immediate reassembly and won't interfere with brake performance.
Why Brake Cleaning Matters
Brakes get dirty often due to constant exposure to grease, brake dust, road debris, grime and petroleum-derived brake fluid. Dirty brakes that are full of road residue, grease, and dust will cause the brake pad not to be able to grip the brake disc like it should, but spraying brake cleaner onto the brakes will not only get rid of the grime buildup, but undoubtedly improve braking performance.
Squealing or grinding noises often result from dirty or contaminated brake parts, and regular cleaning not only prevents these nuisances but also gives you a chance to inspect the brakes for wear and tear, allowing for timely maintenance before problems escalate. Whether you're performing routine brake service or replacing pads and rotors, using quality brake cleaner ensures components are free from contamination that can compromise braking efficiency.
Chlorinated vs. Non-Chlorinated Formulas
Chlorinated brake cleaners (often sold as non-flammable) use organochlorides like tetrachloroethylene and dichloromethane. Non-chlorinated brake cleaners use hydrocarbons as a main component, either low-boiling aliphatic compounds or higher-boiling hydrocarbon mixtures. Some products also contain polar solvents such as ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and acetone to dissolve non-lipophilic substances.
The choice between chlorinated and non-chlorinated formulas often comes down to state regulations and facility requirements. Most brake cleaners are highly flammable (particularly non-chlorinated versions), so proper ventilation and safety precautions are essential during use.
Top Brands in Brake & Parts Cleaners
When selecting brake cleaner, choosing a trusted brand ensures reliable performance and consistent results. Permatex offers non-chlorinated formulas that penetrate, dissolve and remove dirt and oil from brake systems and metal parts, with options safer for aluminum that leave no contaminant-attracting residue or chlorinated solvent run-off.
CRC Industries pioneered the category with their legendary Brakleen product line. In 1971, Brakleen became the first brake cleaner spray of its kind and is still the industry leader today for technicians and do-it-yourselfers for fast and effective brake service solutions. CRC offers Brakleen in eight formulas including regular and PRO SERIES versions of Non-Chlorinated – High VOC, Non-Chlorinated – Low VOC, Non-Chlorinated – Less than 10% VOC, and Non-Chlorinated – Ultra Low VOC formulas.
Safe Application and Best Practices
Work in a well-ventilated area, wear protective gear including gloves and safety goggles to protect your skin and eyes, and avoid open flames as most brake cleaners are highly flammable. While doing a great job cleaning brake parts, brake cleaner can be harmful to plastic, rubber, electronics, and painted parts—some of these components can be dissolved by brake cleaner so it should only be used on brake components or other bare metal components.
The application process is straightforward: remove the wheel to access brake components, spray liberally from the recommended distance, allow the cleaner to evaporate completely, and reassemble. The cleaner can be used on brake linings, brake shoes, drums, rotors, caliper units, pads and other areas of the braking mechanism while they're still intact. For professional results and maximum safety, always follow manufacturer instructions and handle these powerful solvents with appropriate care.