Lately I have been buying the big cans of Walmart Supertech Brake Cleaner. I think its about 3 bucks, But I go through it like water, I use it to clean almost everything. And I was just curious if there is a better deal, Or if ive already found it. I wouldnt be apposed to buying a case of it, provided shipping didnt outweigh the savings. This is used in a small engine repair side biz so That is why the volume is high.
Cheapest Brake Cleaner?
- Thread starter Matt018
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buffalobill
Well-known member
does it have to be aerosol? would a quick drying solvent like acetone on a rag work instead? or maybe a gallon of xylene? or maybe buy one of those reuseable pneumatic spray bottles that you charge with your compressor, and use it like that, so you still have the "blast away ****" action....
Hammer1963
Well-known member
I'd like to switch over to using a pressurized apparatis myself and purchase the cleaner in one or five gallon quanities. I just haven't made the jump.
I dont have that kind of time to preassure wash individual parts,
I would prefer if it was canned brake cleaner.
Menards has this stuff on sale all the time.
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...ted-brake-parts-cleaner/p-1679707-c-10098.htm
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...ted-brake-parts-cleaner/p-1679707-c-10098.htm
fred d
Well-known member
Sometimes Cheaper is not always better
I sell many different kinds of brake cleaners and cheaper ones don't always last as long. it takes longer for the product inside to do the cleaning.
I have a sure shot and use bulk brake cleaner and my own compressed air
I sell many different kinds of brake cleaners and cheaper ones don't always last as long. it takes longer for the product inside to do the cleaning.
I have a sure shot and use bulk brake cleaner and my own compressed air
Hammer1963
Well-known member
Since you sell these products, for bulk brake cleaner, what brand do you recommend purchasing ?
Fast LT1
Well-known member
For me its the ones i take from work
Your experience may vary, could lead to discipline up to and including termination.
Your experience may vary, could lead to discipline up to and including termination.
chris142
Well-known member
I buy it at the dollar store
Gregster
Well-known member
I buy the CRC stuff for 2.52 a can in a case of 12...
islandbayy
New member
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- Dec 6, 2012
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If you have a farm and fleet store near you, I get it all the time for $1.60/can for 16 oz. I run a Scooter & cycle shop.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
a sureshot with a 5 gallon pail is your best bet if you have compressed air. However, are you using the brake clean in lieu of a parts washer?
If so, you may want to consider getting at least a bench top model to reduce brake clean use.
On a side note, brake clean regardless of the brand is some pretty nasty stuff healthwise. In fact when I worked for the city, the evironmental department wouldn't let us stock it due to health concerns.
If so, you may want to consider getting at least a bench top model to reduce brake clean use.
On a side note, brake clean regardless of the brand is some pretty nasty stuff healthwise. In fact when I worked for the city, the evironmental department wouldn't let us stock it due to health concerns.
Todd.Brock
Well-known member
I bought a case of non chlorinated CSC cleaner for about 25 bucks a few years ago. I have now have two little kids ands there are about 5 cans left!! I like the sure shot containers though it will take me 15 years to get through any bulk quantity such as a 5 gallon pail!! I will keep buyin the cans when my 5 cans run out!
Super Sport
Well-known member
I like that stuff. I think it works better than some of the more expensive brands.
Conductor562
Well-known member
At the auto parts stores the house brand always seems to run in the $3.50 range with the CRC brand being $4.50 for Non-Chlorinated and $5.00 for Chlorinated. Last week I found the CRC brand at Dollar General for $3.49 a can and it wasn't on sale either. They only stock the Chlorinated version though.
I use the CRC chlorinated Brakleen. It's what I like and use so the price doesn't matter.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Just remember not to use brake cleaner then weld afterwards.
If it were me, I'd get a 5 gallon can and a Sure-Shot sprayer. Or if you are going through it like water how about a bench top Ultrasonic cleaner?
If it were me, I'd get a 5 gallon can and a Sure-Shot sprayer. Or if you are going through it like water how about a bench top Ultrasonic cleaner?
I've tried several brands, including Brakleen, CRC, and the NAPA brand (not sure who actually makes it for NAPA). There does seem to be a difference in the effectiveness, and it does seem that as usual, "you get what you pay for".
I prefer the chlorinated Brakleen. It costs a little more, but seems to work faster, and use less liquid to get a clean surface. I do try to save as much money as I can. My local NAPA has a Brakleen sale twice a year. I'm pretty good friends with one of their counter guys, and I ask him to let me know when it goes on sale. I usually buy a couple cases when it goes on sale. I do the same thing with PB Blaster, Mobil 1, hydraulic oil, brake fluid, and other fluids.
It seems like a lot of money to buy these items in bulk, but if you do the math, it can really save in the long run.
I prefer the chlorinated Brakleen. It costs a little more, but seems to work faster, and use less liquid to get a clean surface. I do try to save as much money as I can. My local NAPA has a Brakleen sale twice a year. I'm pretty good friends with one of their counter guys, and I ask him to let me know when it goes on sale. I usually buy a couple cases when it goes on sale. I do the same thing with PB Blaster, Mobil 1, hydraulic oil, brake fluid, and other fluids.
It seems like a lot of money to buy these items in bulk, but if you do the math, it can really save in the long run.
jzt
Well-known member
Is there a K Mart near you? their store brand is $2.50 or so. Seems to work ok.
honcho
Well-known member
Ok, quick question on Chlorinated vs Non-Chlorinated. I assume the Non-Chlorinated is "better" for the environment. Advance Auto near me stocks spray cans of both types and can get the 5 gallon jugs of the Non-Chlorinated CRC Brakleen. What are the benefits and / or hazards of using Chlorinated vs. Non-Chlorinated?
Conductor562
Well-known member
Not that I know of. I know they use HEET and drain cleaner because for a time you had to show ID to buy it. I live in the heart of meth country and never heard brake cleaner mentioned. You're probably thinking of drain cleaner.
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alan camby
Well-known member
this subject was just covered here.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177333&highlight=chlorinated
1320stang
Well-known member
Why not get a parts washer?
Some of them use ether. It all depends on their recipe and what they have available to cook up their concoction. Generally they steal anhydrous ammonia from the farmers and their co-ops siphoning it into 20 lb LP tanks.
3m 08880 is my absolute favorite, after basically trying every type of brake cleaner known to the state of washington that i could get my hands on, i find the 3m 08880 the longest lasting, most effective.
while getting it in your eyes does sting it is no where near some of the other stuff that damn near blinds you.
i get mine at the local napa onsale for 2.29-2.99 a can.
i will never go back to any other type of brake cleaner unless i am absolutely in a hurry and have to get the first one i find.
http://3mcollision.com/3m-high-power-brake-cleaner-08880.html
and no affiliation with 3m, just a personal user very impressed with its overall quality/cost ratio
while getting it in your eyes does sting it is no where near some of the other stuff that damn near blinds you.
i get mine at the local napa onsale for 2.29-2.99 a can.
i will never go back to any other type of brake cleaner unless i am absolutely in a hurry and have to get the first one i find.
http://3mcollision.com/3m-high-power-brake-cleaner-08880.html
and no affiliation with 3m, just a personal user very impressed with its overall quality/cost ratio
aussiek2000
Well-known member
We have a 55gal drum of "chemsafe" brake cleaner at work. We all use 1qt sure shots. I usually go through 1-2 fill-ups per day. Pressure it up to ~100psi and it cleans like no other.
dsmnickk90
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2011
- Messages
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They need ether as well but use Heet fuek treatment for that.
+1 on bulk - gallon or 5 gallon pail - and a sureshot for lots of brake cleaner use.
as others have said, would a tabletop parts washer be a worthwhile investment? much less nasty fumes, MUCH cheaper in the long run, and depending on what chemical you use in it, less likely to damage plastic/rubber parts.
ahm
as others have said, would a tabletop parts washer be a worthwhile investment? much less nasty fumes, MUCH cheaper in the long run, and depending on what chemical you use in it, less likely to damage plastic/rubber parts.
ahm
red73mustang
Well-known member
So why can't I spray brake cleaner through a regular metal automotive paint gun, do I really need to spend $27 to 70 dollars on a Non-Aerosol Sprayer?
bobcatdan
Well-known member
For almost all of my degreasing and cleaning, I use diesel fuel in a sureshot. I keep brake clean on hand pretty much just for brakes. For hydraulics components, I follow Deere's recommendation of using electrical contact cleaner.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I generally purchase in 5-gallon pails and have a small pump to transfer it into my SureShot containers then hit with the compressed air.
I also keep some aerosol on hand as well which I will watch for on sale at my local NAPA store. I just bought 2-cases of 3M Brake Wash for $2.39 a can although that is the cheapest I have purchased it, usually it is $2.49-$2.59 per can when on sale. Either the 3M, CRC or Mac's.
Mike.
I also keep some aerosol on hand as well which I will watch for on sale at my local NAPA store. I just bought 2-cases of 3M Brake Wash for $2.39 a can although that is the cheapest I have purchased it, usually it is $2.49-$2.59 per can when on sale. Either the 3M, CRC or Mac's.
Mike.
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
Contact cleaner less harsh on seals?
I considered switching the shop over to bulk / sure shots, but all the hassle and cost combined = just keep using aerosol cans.....
Never used a sureshot, never heard of it before actually, will have to check it out. Not sure what the epa would have to say about having them in a shop.
We use a lot of Advance's house brand, like $25 a case, sometimes it will go on sale and you can get 5 cases for $100.
Edit: how much we use depends on condition of solvent tanks and/or how big a hurry we are in - somewhere between 2-10 cases a week.
I"ve got one of those engine cleaners you chuck up to an air hose and drop the clear plastic line into whatever you want but I don't have it at work. Pretty sure the epa would not like it at all, plus its basically a bomb and definitely not good for one's health.
We use a lot of Advance's house brand, like $25 a case, sometimes it will go on sale and you can get 5 cases for $100.
Edit: how much we use depends on condition of solvent tanks and/or how big a hurry we are in - somewhere between 2-10 cases a week.
I"ve got one of those engine cleaners you chuck up to an air hose and drop the clear plastic line into whatever you want but I don't have it at work. Pretty sure the epa would not like it at all, plus its basically a bomb and definitely not good for one's health.
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anndel
Well-known member
Brakleen, Oreilly's, NAPA non chlorinated brake cleaner whenever on sale I grab a couple of cans. CRC Brakkleen regular price at WM is $4.
Most meth labs here in Hawaii use acetone so now it's regulated. You have to show ID when buying even a small can at like Home Depot or City Mill.
Most meth labs here in Hawaii use acetone so now it's regulated. You have to show ID when buying even a small can at like Home Depot or City Mill.
thebeekeeper1
Well-known member
In my experience the chlorinated works better/faster and dries almost immediately. The non-chlorinated stuff . . . doesn't.
Anything the government forbids results in something that costs MUCH more, doesn't work well, or in some cases, at all. Toilets, gas cans, caulk, paint, brake cleaner--to name a few.
