I finally stopped using brake cleaner on everything

Honestly, I used to spray that stuff on every greasy part for years, but a guy at the shop in Phoenix said it can wreck rubber seals and hoses over time. Now I keep a bucket of simple green and a brush for most jobs, and only break out the strong stuff for actual brake dust. Anyone else switch to a less harsh cleaner for routine degreasing?

4 comments

4 Comments

murray.pat5d ago

My buddy's kid used brake cleaner on a skateboard wheel bearing, turned it into a sticky mess.

jade_murray1mo ago

Oh man, same here! I learned that lesson cleaning an old bike chain, it dried out all the o-rings and made them crack. Now I just use dish soap and hot water for most grime.

wendym821mo ago

Remember that purple power cleaner stuff they sold everywhere a few years back? I used it to clean an engine bay and it totally clouded up some plastic trim. That was my wake up call that strong cleaners can eat more than just grease. Now I test any new cleaner on a spot you can't see first.

tarar381mo ago

Totally feel that. I melted a spray bottle cap with some "heavy duty" degreaser once.