Brake cleaner alternative

[Grant Gunderson]

In the past I have used brake cleaner for its obvious use, but also as a degreaser for parts that I cant fully clean with a standard degreaser and brush.

Despite always using it outside and always wearing gloves, I seem to have developed a sensitivity to it. Now any time I use it, within a few hours I develop a massive headache and become nauseous... this last the rest of the day and for most of the next day. It's now happened more than 6 times, so pretty sure its not a coincidence.

IS there a good alternative to brake clean, in an aerosol, form besides typically degreaser and denature alcohol?

 

[mike93lx]

Brake cleaner is pretty amazing stuff. I think I would try a p100 respirator before giving up on it

 

[The Cobbler]

did you by chance use chlorinated and weld/ heat it ? apparently that's bad for you

 

[Wrench97]

^ good point what type of brake cleaner did you use?

Starting Fluid/Either works well also just be careful where it is used(just like brake clean)

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I've never heated or welded anything that I have used brake cleaner on. I've mostly been using the CRC brand and its various versions. It doesn't seem to matter what version or brand it is.

I do have a respirator, but I'd prefer to just avoid using it all together if there is something else.

 

[Mytoolsupply]

What are you typically cleaning with it? Could they be parts your able to put in a parts washer?

 

[Wrench97]

Carb cleaner is another alternative.

 

[jrsavoie]

Superzilla?

 

[TobeyA]

They make a non-chlorinated version. Have you tried that?

 

[wssix99]

+1 I'd try the Green Low-VOC version before abandoning the brake cleaner. There are many nasty items in the original stuff. Here is a video tailor made for you:

Given that the Red contains a gas that was used in the original WW1 chemical weapons, its not surprising that people would be sensitive to it...

 

[58Yeoman]

FYI, I used carb cleaner a couple times last summer killing stink bugs around the shop. Holy ****, it melts plastic. One day I went to open the overhead door with the outside remote, and I couldn't slide the cover up, it had melted it together.

 

[rawen2]

You could try one of these sprayers. You can put most any degreaser in it.

Amazon.com

 

[BillK]

I was also going to ask what kind you are using. I use the non chlorinated or low voc, it is basically alcohol. I think it is the Wearever W7340 or W7341.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Acetone in a Sureshot sprayer works well for me. Acetone in gallon cans is less than $20. Dave

 

[boom_bap]

Chlorine and UV creates phosgene gas which will kill you. Hence why welding after using chlorinated brakekleen is extremely dangerous. Uv from the arc will react.

Similarly you need to be careful cutting plastics with a laser technologies due to the same reason. Any smart laser cutter operator will never cut plastic on it.

 

[Death Row Dave]

As stated never never weld after cleaning with chlorinated cleaners . It will eat you alive .

 

[Grant Gunderson]

What are you typically cleaning with it? Could they be parts your able to put in a parts washer?

Lately I have been using it to clean up a lot of old lathe parts that are too large to fit in the parts washer, but also have lots of nooks at crannies a brush won't fit in effectively.

Carb cleaner is another alternative.

I'll give it a try.

Superzilla?

Never heard of it. How does it compare to Simple green, etc? I'm hoping for something stronger than typical degreaser agents.

They make a non-chlorinated version. Have you tried that?

Yes. Doesn't seem to make a difference for me.

+1 I'd try the Green Low-VOC version before abandoning the brake cleaner. There are many nasty items in the original stuff. Here is a video tailor made for you:

Given that the Red contains a gas that was used in the original WW1 chemical weapons, its not surprising that people would be sensitive to it...

I haven't tried the Low-VOC version. I'll have to see if I can find it locally. Curious what chemical it is? I know Chlorine has been used as a nerve gas.

FYI, I used carb cleaner a couple times last summer killing stink bugs around the shop. Holy ****, it melts plastic. One day I went to open the overhead door with the outside remote, and I couldn't slide the cover up, it had melted it together.

Acetone will do the same thing.

Acetone in a Sureshot sprayer works well for me. Acetone in gallon cans is less than $20. Dave

I might try that. The problem with most of those sprayers that I have tried, is they dont forceably remove the crud / grease as well as the brake cleaner does with its combination of chemical and propellent.

As stated earlier, I have never welded anything after using brake cleaner or been around any strong UV with it either, so thats not the issue.

 

[slidehammer]

I might try that. The problem with most of those sprayers that I have tried, is they dont forceably remove the crud / grease as well as the brake cleaner does with its combination of chemical and propellent.

As stated earlier, I have never welded anything after using brake cleaner or been around any strong UV with it either, so thats not the issue.

In my experience volatile solvents like acetone and brake cleaner don't even work that well on greasier stuff. They just thin the grease enough to spread it around, then evaporate.

I prefer good ol' "odorless" mineral spirits, even the California version. It cuts right through grease but tends not to ruin plastic and rubber parts. It does take forever to evaporate, but that should be good news for avoiding headaches.

You can speed things up with a final wipe down with acetone.

 

[CraigStu]

I never use carb cleaner. I didn't know that it would melt plastic but I learned the hard way maybe 30 yrs ago that it will eat automotive paint. Glad it was my car and not a customers.

 

[firebirdparts]

I would think plain ol' mineral spirits would be adequate to do just about anything. Depends on what you're cleaning. Acetone is not very toxic at all, but it's overkill, evaporates fast, going to be easier to set on fire. Great solvent.

 

[jrsavoie]

I just tried Superzilla the first time on my granddaughters car.
I never noticed anything other than it wasn't offensive.
I was hoping others would chime in.

Maybe a refillable aerosol with the product of your choosing?

 

[nateo]

Maybe try an electronics contact cleaner. They tend to be mostly alcohol and plastic friendly. They sell them in the automotive section, though if you have an electronics store close by you could also try flux remover.

As I understand it carb cleaner is mostly acetone, which as people have pointed out loves to melt plastics.

 

[gorilla]

I've had really good luck with the engine degreaser sold by autozone. The trick seems to be following the instructions and letting it soak for about 30 min before washing it off.

 

[Rickochet]

I have been using Naphtha in a SuperShot sprayer. It works very well and it’s easy on plastic great cleaning properties and dries quickly too. $13 per gallon at Lowes.

 

[vavet]

Not quite as fast as brake cleaner, but effective and cheap is LA’s totally awesome cleaner and degreaser. The dollar tree sells it around here.

 

[rayra]

Non-Chlorinated CRC Brakleen (green can) also has the added benefit of being a good gun cleaner / wash.
And the OP apparently needs a lot MOAR ventilation when he uses the stuff, to include nitrile gloves and even a VOC mask.

 

[rsanter]

How about acitone and pit it in a spayer

 

[Squankum]

Unlike a lot of handy guys, I have never assumed brake cleaner was a safe thing to be spraying at every opportunity. I generally use it for... brakes! With some butcher paper on the floor under it to catch the drip, then I gently fold that up and take it outside to evaporate.

For most everything else, I use Castrol Super Clean. (Used to be Castrol? Now it's not.) About $8/gal at Wal-Mart. Been using it since the 90's. Alas, it's something you might want to rinse off with water as you finish. I will admit that the quick evaporation of brake cleaner is a very handy thing.

WD-40 has its moments for some gook build up, too.

Never used much Simple Green. In the past year or two, been using it to wash shop rags in the washing machine. Lately, started using a dash of it in my new ultrasonic parts cleaner and it works fine.

 

[p00p]

i've noticed the "non flammable" version irritates me than the traditional stuff.

Try a different brand, it might be a product change driving the issue.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Non-Chlorinated CRC Brakleen (green can) also has the added benefit of being a good gun cleaner / wash.
And the OP apparently needs a lot MOAR ventilation when he uses the stuff, to include nitrile gloves and even a VOC mask.

Hard to get more ventilation then outside with a breeze. I have a VOC mask, but would prefer to just use something less toxic to me.

Never used much Simple Green. In the past year or two, been using it to wash shop rags in the washing machine. Lately, started using a dash of it in my new ultrasonic parts cleaner and it works fine.

Have to be careful with simple green and anodized parts. It will take the anodizing right off.

 

[Squankum]

Have to be careful with simple green and anodized parts. It will take the anodizing right off.

I believe I learned a similar lesson with cad plating! But other than that, I had a ball with my new ultrasonic cleaner on my recent project.

 

[rayra]

Hard to get more ventilation then outside with a breeze. I have a VOC mask, but would prefer to just use something less toxic to me.

You're talking about a chemical cleaning agent. I'm not sure there is anything in that category that wont trigger your sensitivity. A non-chlorinated spray will help. But if you are already reacting to such a degree I'd assert that you need to put those gloves and mask on. And take a hard look at how you choose to use the products. How much is enough / too much, what are your handling techniques, do you spray your own skin, do you stand downwind etc etc. Most of the impacts to you are due to the choices of actions you make, moreso than the brand / type of chem.

 

[Stephenw]

When choosing chemicals, properly trained people know the first place to look is the SDS, the safety data sheets. The SDS shows what is in the products that you are using. It also has other important information such as proper protective equipment. It can help you figure out what you might be sensitive to. You can check the SDS for the new solvent you are going to use and make sure that it does not contain the same chemical.

 

[fsae0607]

Light degreasing: denatured or 99% IPA.

Heavy degreasing: acetone or MEK.

Use these in a Milwaukee sprayer.

MEK vapor cures hangovers. Ask me how I know lol

 

[alinc100]

On a similar note,I get a headache,queasy,foul smell when I change the oil in my car.I use Mobil 1 synthetic 0w20. Any ideas?( don't say get someone else to change the oil

 

[Wrench97]

On a similar note,I get a headache,queasy,foul smell when I change the oil in my car.I use Mobil 1 synthetic 0w20. Any ideas?( don't say get someone else to change the oil

Stop using brakleen to clean up the spilt oil?

 

[Max78]

I switched from brake cleaner to Purple Power for all of my degreasing needs and its been freaking awesome! I use it in one of those pump up pressurized garden sprayers and let it sit for a few minutes.

It will etch aluminum if you let it sit on there too long, but it made my stained crusty aluminum parts look new, and washed the grease off everything way better than any can of degreaser I have used.

 

[PassnThru]

MEK vapor cures hangovers. Ask me how I know lol

But not a good thing to use in a very confined space as I've learned.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

In the past I have used brake cleaner for its obvious use, but also as a degreaser for parts that I cant fully clean with a standard degreaser and brush.

Despite always using it outside and always wearing gloves, I seem to have developed a sensitivity to it. Now any time I use it, within a few hours I develop a massive headache and become nauseous... this last the rest of the day and for most of the next day. It's now happened more than 6 times, so pretty sure its not a coincidence.

IS there a good alternative to brake clean, in an aerosol, form besides typically degreaser and denature alcohol?

It kills wasps or is that carb cleaner? Same stuff.

 

[homebuilt burner]

Sometimes I use virgin solvent with an air solvent gun for stuff to big for the solvent tank.