Quick question about Autozone brake cleaner

[senor fozz]

So I finally convinced a guy who works next door to me, that if I was going to do his brakes he might as well do the rotors since they went metal to metal( took over an hour) While I was picking up the rotors and Autozone had a bundle of cleaner, fluid and towels for ten bucks bought it since I Knew I was going to need to clean all the oil off of the new rotors.

Went to use the brake cleaner, and cleaned off the oil. A white residue that I believe to be chlorine, because I have heard of chlorinated brake cleaner. I know it wasn't oil because I kept trying to remove the residue with more brake cleaner, and shop towels because I thought it was oil at first. Grabbed a shop towel and got it damp with water to remove the residue. I live in Phoenix so there was no rust when I finished the job.

Question is can I get away with leaving the residue there and just put it back together and drive it?

 

[volvo92906]

Itll be fine. Wont hurt anything.

 

[Skin]

you don't need brake cleaner for new rotors, honestly you'd be fine washing them with a sponge and a bucket of soap and water.

 

[GTA Matt]

Some Dawn, a scrub brush or sponge, and some hot water on rotors. At some point in time it was an ASE test question.

 

[tyheuser]

autozone brake cleaner is good **** I don't care for the non chlorinated stuff. Spending the time to get a bucket and water and scrub it then hose it down sounds like a waste of time compared to shooting a shop towel with brake cleaner and wiping the contact surface!

 

[wafrederick]

The AutoZone brake clean gives you headaches and be aware of this

 

[CWP1616L]

What does the chlorine in the brake cleaner do?

 

[senor fozz]

The AutoZone brake clean gives you headaches and be aware of this

Then maybe you should try and not huff it.

 

[rlmartinson]

If heated, it forms chlorine gas...poison.

 

[wafrederick]

A guy that comes into my father's shop checking on the shop supplies bought a case of AutoZone brake clean it gave him headaches,did not huff it.Took it back for this reason.

 

[tyheuser]

ya don't torch anything freshly sprayed with brake clean or it will create a poisonous gas that can kill you! Ive never had a headache from it and I personally spray a dozen cans every week or 2. I use it on everything I get that **** in my eyes a lot just shut them for a few seconds and it goes away haha

 

[CWP1616L]

What's the purpose of the chlorine in the brake cleaner?

 

[chris142]

We can only get the non chlorinated stuff here.

 

[Deafautotech]

you don't need brake cleaner for new rotors, honestly you'd be fine washing them with a sponge and a bucket of soap and water.

that is what my ford training teacher said to use soap and HOT water to clean up the new rotors....

 

[Skin]

What's the purpose of the chlorine in the brake cleaner?

Its literally the solvent and I think was initially chosen because its safer on plastics. I believe non-chlorinated versions substitute in acetone which eats plastics and rubber. Also the chlorinated versions are generally far less flammable. Non-chlorinated brake cleaner can be used as a pretty great flame thrower in a pinch.

autozone brake cleaner is good **** I don't care for the non chlorinated stuff. Spending the time to get a bucket and water and scrub it then hose it down sounds like a waste of time compared to shooting a shop towel with brake cleaner and wiping the contact surface!

The "waste of time" method is far more thorough. Brake cleaner is good for a quick spray to remove excess brake dust but for cleaning new rotors washing/scrubbing them is the best way. The purpose of cleaning them is actually to wash off any remaining metal from machining, getting the oil off is secondary.

 

[srmofo]

If heated, it forms chlorine gas...poison.

Thats only half the equation, its still needs to have the shielding gas (argon)added to it with super heat. And if I remember the article right, it makes phosgene not chlorine gas

 

[rlitman]

Thats only half the equation, its still needs to have the shielding gas (argon)added to it with super heat. And if I remember the article right, it makes phosgene not chlorine gas

No, argon does not react in the formation of phosgene, and has nothing to do with the reaction. The atoms found in chlorinated brake cleaner are the same ones needed to make phosgene. All it needs is sufficient heat to break apart the molecule or UV. Welding provides both.

Chlorine gas is very toxic. Phosgene gas is way WAY more toxic than that, and more importantly, it is toxic at levels a fraction of the concentration required to smell. Chlorine is what you get when you mix ammonia and bleach. It's dangerous if you do it inside, but the slightest breeze outside will dilute it to safe levels, and it's choking odor keeps you from breathing too much. Phosgene is one of those things that even in absolutely minuscule (almost undetectable) amounts can do real damage, because it is a nerve agent.

Back to the brake cleaner. I prefer chlorinated because it has a slightly stronger solvent action, is safer on plastic, and is not flammable. Whenever I replace rotors, I will first wash them in a solution of hot water and dawn. But I've noticed that this isn't always effective at removing the rust preventative coating that the rotors come treated in. A quick spray of brake cleaner, and the coating is gone.

 

[CWP1616L]

Its literally the solvent and I think was initially chosen because its safer on plastics. I believe non-chlorinated versions substitute in acetone which eats plastics and rubber. Also the chlorinated versions are generally far less flammable. Non-chlorinated brake cleaner can be used as a pretty great flame thrower in a pinch.

Thanks for answering my question I appreciate it.

I had it backwards ... I thought the chlorinated brake cleaner harmed plastics.

 

[Coach James]

What does the chlorine in the brake cleaner do?

Kills algae in your swimming pool and bacteria in your drinking water.

Coach

 

[davesnothere]

I've never seen or heard of washing a new rotor with soap and water until now. Always just douched them off with brake cleaner and put them on.

 

[tyheuser]

Its literally the solvent and I think was initially chosen because its safer on plastics. I believe non-chlorinated versions substitute in acetone which eats plastics and rubber. Also the chlorinated versions are generally far less flammable. Non-chlorinated brake cleaner can be used as a pretty great flame thrower in a pinch.




The "waste of time" method is far more thorough. Brake cleaner is good for a quick spray to remove excess brake dust but for cleaning new rotors washing/scrubbing them is the best way. The purpose of cleaning them is actually to wash off any remaining metal from machining, getting the oil off is secondary.

I still think its "waste of time" brake clean is for cleaning off the rust preventative coating on a new rotor Ive never noticed any metal material on a new rotor, drum, flywheel, or pressure plate I believe there cleaned before there oiled and shipped. The stuff I turn or when I use are on car brake lathe I just hit it with compressed air and wipe them. I just don't believe that amount of metal and as fine of material it is would hurt anything when its going to get covered in clutch or brake lining anyways? The only reason I see it being important is if there a bearing race or something pressed in it which is pretty rare anymore! This is the only way ive ever seen any tech in any shop do it and to this day have yet to see a failure from it so I call BS

 

[Skin]

I still think its "waste of time" brake clean is for cleaning off the rust preventative coating on a new rotor Ive never noticed any metal material on a new rotor, drum, flywheel, or pressure plate I believe there cleaned before there oiled and shipped. The stuff I turn or when I use are on car brake lathe I just hit it with compressed air and wipe them. I just don't believe that amount of metal and as fine of material it is would hurt anything when its going to get covered in clutch or brake lining anyways? The only reason I see it being important is if there a bearing race or something pressed in it which is pretty rare anymore! This is the only way ive ever seen any tech in any shop do it and to this day have yet to see a failure from it so I call BS

To each their own. Its not something I just made up, most disc manufacturers outline it specifically over a spray and wipe. So basically you're calling BS on the auto and brake manufacturers recommendations. Makes you sound a bit...well...naive. The point isn't whether or not you think its required, the point is that its the most thorough way to clean the rotors, that's why its recommended.

As to those spotless rotors, if I can remember to next time I crack open some Wagners i'll take a picture of the towel just for you. They're far from devoid of all metal particulates left over from machining.

 

[GTA Matt]

I still think its "waste of time" brake clean is for cleaning off the rust preventative coating on a new rotor Ive never noticed any metal material on a new rotor, drum, flywheel, or pressure plate I believe there cleaned before there oiled and shipped. The stuff I turn or when I use are on car brake lathe I just hit it with compressed air and wipe them. I just don't believe that amount of metal and as fine of material it is would hurt anything when its going to get covered in clutch or brake lining anyways? The only reason I see it being important is if there a bearing race or something pressed in it which is pretty rare anymore! This is the only way ive ever seen any tech in any shop do it and to this day have yet to see a failure from it so I call BS

It doesn't take any more time to clean rotors in soap and water and blow them dry then it does to clean and lube the caliper slides. Is that a waste of time too? There is a correct way to do things and an incorrect way. Just because a lot of people do something one way doesn't make it right. Will cleaning rotors with brake clean hurt anything? Probably not, but you should owe it to your customers that are paying good money for a proper brake job to at least do it correctly. If my boss at my old job caught you not cleaning rotors with soap and water and not cleaning the rust off the wheel hub, you would get your walking papers.... I hope they keep that as an ASE test question, seems like it'll trip 99% of people up.

 

[pepi]

Thats only half the equation, its still needs to have the shielding gas (argon)added to it with super heat. And if I remember the article right, it makes phosgene not chlorine gas

I believe this is maybe the article you refer too:
http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm


@ skin. So are you trying to say the brake cleaner does not wash off metal left behind from the machining? Seems that is a bit of a stretch for two reasons, first one is obvious the second rotors are washed after machining for that exact reason. Cleaning rotors is for the removal of the protective coating applied before packaging.

Whatever, there is always more then one way to skin a cat.

 

[Milton Shaw]

When you wash the rotors you are removing small metal flakes that will contaminate the new pads. This will result in a little faster rotor wear. That said I worked as brake mechanic for 15 or so years and never washed rotors. (that job ended nearly 30 years ago). Now I wash my rotors on my cars before I put them on. Soap and water and rinse in sink.

 

[dkcase]

" .... Phosgene is one of those things that even in absolutely minuscule (almost undetectable) amounts can do real damage, because it is a nerve agent. "

I believe it is rather a pulmonary irritant, doing damage to the lungs. Bad stuff; used as a poison gas in World War 1.

 

[Skin]

I believe this is maybe the article you refer too:
http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm


@ skin. So are you trying to say the brake cleaner does not wash off metal left behind from the machining? Seems that is a bit of a stretch for two reasons, first one is obvious the second rotors are washed after machining for that exact reason. Cleaning rotors is for the removal of the protective coating applied before packaging.

Whatever, there is always more then one way to skin a cat.

I'm saying brake cleaner is a half assed way to clean a rotor or drum.