Brake cleaner in bulk and confusion!

[BElkins]

Recently purchased a refillable sprayer and am looking at buying a 5 gallon pail of brake cleaner.

Best price I've found appears to be at Advance Auto Parts and I thought they only had one type available but it turns out they have 3 different types and I honestly do not know the difference other than the price. The 3 types are:
- W5086 which is High VOC
- W5087 which is Low VOC
- W5088 which is Ultra Low VOC

I know the difference between chlorinated and non-chlorinated but to the best of my knowledge this is different than High VOC vs. Low VOC. Any idea as to which one to purchase? I've tried searching for comparisons between High and Low but am coming up empty handed.

 

[Jbullfrog]

Volatile Organic Compounds, basically, the concentration of cleaning agents in the brake clean and how fast it will dry. Some states restrict the use of products that contain VOC's

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrgMUhYdfJkmXwNuxtXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1693640152/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fVolatile_organic_compound/RK=2/RS=cExKpf5t4s60rzv4i42WXRR4TiI-

 

[BElkins]

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrgMUhYdfJkmXwNuxtXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1693640152/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fVolatile_organic_compound/RK=2/RS=cExKpf5t4s60rzv4i42WXRR4TiI-

I located that and thank you all the same. I'm just trying to figure out which one is better for general use when it comes to brake cleaner formulations. Unfortunately that link does not provide specifics with regard to brake cleaners.

 

[Jbullfrog]

High VOC is better at cleaning the surfaces and drying away, but not good for the ecosystem. Low VOC isn't as good at cleaning, but better for the ecosystem.

 

[BElkins]

High VOC is better at cleaning the surfaces and drying away, but not good for the ecosystem. Low VOC isn't as good at cleaning, but better for the ecosystem.

Thank you!! I was figuring it was better at cleaning but just wanted to confirm. Much appreciated.

I'm thinking CRC may produce Carquest brake cleaners as well. When I looked up the MSDS they were on CRC letterhead.

 

[BillK]

B,
Buy a spray can of each and see which one you like best. They each have their own characteristics. I think I have been using the 5087 mostly at the shop. Ill check Tuesday to be sure. It has a lot of alcohol in it and dries very quickly and leaves no residue. I think it just depends on what you are going to use it for. I am mostly final cleaning small engine parts and cleaning out oil passages in cylinder heads.

We can't buy the high VOC any more so its either the low or very low.

 

[charbar]

The worse it is for your health the better it cleans basically. I prefer the stuff that is supposedly going to kill you on contact.......

 

[LeeG]

Here is the document from CRC Industries describing the differences.

http://docs.crcindustries.com/US%20Sell%20Sheets/1751249.pdf

Lee

 

[nadogail]

If you want a truly effective product, pick the one "Banned in California".

 

[unslow1]

See if W7341 is available. That's the stuff they sell all the shops.

 

[finn]

I recall that some of the high voc parts solvents don’t play well with welding, either. They emit toxins at elevated temperatures.

 

[BElkins]

Thank you for all the replies! I apologize for not responding earlier as I was busy last night.

 

[BElkins]

The worse it is for your health the better it cleans basically. I prefer the stuff that is supposedly going to kill you on contact.......

Very true!!!

 

[ChevyEFI]

See if W7341 is available. That's the stuff they sell all the shops.

That is cans of W5087.

 

[InsanePyro]

I recall that some of the high voc parts solvents don’t play well with welding, either. They emit toxins at elevated temperatures.

Correct, makes chlorine gas if memory serves. Even after its dried

 

[pcmeiners]

Not chlorine but phosgene gas with high heat.

 

[scooby074]

Correct, makes chlorine gas if memory serves. Even after its dried

Only the Chlorinated solvent based cleaners are a Phosgene risk with welding. Alcohol based "green" cleaners arent a risk AFAIK.

 

[BElkins]

Only the Chlorinated solvent based cleaners are a Phosgene risk with welding. Alcohol based "green" cleaners arent a risk AFAIK.

Are all non-chlorinated brake cleaners considered "green" in other words, do not present a phosgene risk?

 

[KenC]

I recall that some of the high voc parts solvents don’t play well with welding, either. They emit toxins at elevated temperatures.

That's the chlorinated version, not related to voc content.

 

[BElkins]

That's the chlorinated version, not related to voc content.

Thank you for the clarification!

 

[scooby074]

Are all non-chlorinated brake cleaners considered "green" in other words, do not present a phosgene risk?

Yes, as far as I know the non-chlorinated cleaners pose no risk when welding. They are mostly alcohol based, like Acetone, Tolulene and Xylene etc.. Check the MSDS for whichever product you choose and make sure there are no chlorinated solvents, like Perchlorethelene inside. I wouldnt rely on just marketing **** to make the decision without verification .

 

[BElkins]

Yes, as far as I know the non-chlorinated cleaners pose no risk when welding. They are mostly alcohol based, like Acetone, Tolulene and Xylene etc.. Check the MSDS for whichever product you choose and make sure there are no chlorinated solvents, like Perchlorethelene inside. I wouldnt rely on just marketing **** to make the decision without verification .

Thank you!

 

[motorcycle79]

Where u buy the pail and how much.

 

[BElkins]

Where u buy the pail and how much.

Just bought a pail from Advance Auto for $94 with the discount code, LABORDAY. Even without the discount code it was $109 which is still a good deal as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully there is an Advance Auto in your area, they go by Carquest too I believe.

 

[motorcycle79]

theres both. Thanks

 

[firebirdparts]

VOC is today a definition of how much chemicals create low level ozone when they decompose in the air eosed to sunlight. That’s all it means. Trust me. If chemicals don’t generate any ozone, they get defined as not being a VOC. Acetone for instance is non VOC. Methyl acetate not a VOC. Methylene Chloride is not a VOC. The name itself is nonsense.

So, to the user, none of it is water and those three formulations probably smell a little different.

 

[Pexto]

VOC is today a definition of how much chemicals create low level ozone when they decompose in the air eosed to sunlight. That’s all it means. Trust me. If chemicals don’t generate any ozone, they get defined as not being a VOC. Acetone for instance is non VOC. Methyl acetate not a VOC. Methylene Chloride is not a VOC. The name itself is nonsense.

It is unfortunate that EPA uses the term 'VOC' in regulating outdoor air quality, because that usage has created a good deal of confusion. The definition of VOC is much broader than that very narrow application. VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) is a very general term that applies to any organic compound that readily generates vapors at normal temperatures and pressures . For purposes of some specific regulations a narrower definition may be applied, and these vary considerably. For example some jurisdictions define VOCs based on boiling point, and some based on vapor pressure.

Acetone, for example, is still a VOC, it's just referred to as "VOC-exempt" for the purposes of EPA outdoor air quality regulations. It's still a VOC for the purposes of general conversation, and it is still a VOC for the purposes of indoor air quality, flammability concerns, occupational exposure, and so on.

 

[Sumboodie]

Just bought a pail from Advance Auto for $94 with the discount code, LABORDAY. Even without the discount code it was $109 which is still a good deal as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully there is an Advance Auto in your area, they go by Carquest too I believe.

Go to a bulk lubes supplier. We sell it for ~$12 a gallon.

 

[BElkins]

Go to a bulk lubes supplier. We sell it for ~$12 a gallon.

I will check out my local distributor. Thank you.