Will brake clean hurt rubber?

[Joelfke]

I would like to clean off parts of the case of my ****** before i rebuild it so its not so dirty. I will clean and THEN rebuild as to not have to worry about brake clean inside the trans.

Kind of a dumb question but, will brake clean hurt the rubber seals on the trans? namely the pan gasket and axle seals

 

[Indy_500]

brake cleaner can dry rot rubber after time depending on the rubber

 

[bmwpower]

Brakleen will not hurt rubber/gaskets. That's why it's used for brakes - it won't destroy rubber seals on the caliper or bushings.

 

[bmxr4life87]

No but you would be better off using degreaser and a tire brush then rinsing it all off

 

[wafrederick]

I never seen rubber destroyed by brake clean.I found another use for brake clean,kill bee nests with it and the bees die instantly.

 

[Paco Pena]

I notice some of the brake cleaners warn you to keep it away from rubber parts and others don't. Its a good practice to try and keep it off the rubber boots on the caliper pins etc. Don't know if its really a problem though.

Paco

 

[wcglover]

Im a HD mechanic and have used brake clean on damn near every seal and gasket there is, including trans gaskets and seals and have never had a prob. I wouldnt hesitate to use it.

 

[nate379]

Pressure washer and degreaser would work much better than 10 cans of brake cleaner!

 

[Joelfke]

thanks guys

 

[mrholeshot]

Repeated exposure to brake clean will deteriate rubber. The reason brake clean can be used on caliper seals and wheel cylinders is that it dries so quickly. It has a very short window of exposure. It's an excellant cleaner and I use to use about 3-5 cases a week in my shop. I use to use it to get oil stains out of concrete when we had an oil spill. Repeated use to one area will pull some of the chemicals and natural oil out of rubber if used often enough. I've seen it dry out the handles of Channellocks and make them crack so not a good cleaner for that. I have used it quite a bit for cleaning rubber seals and gaskets with good results.

 

[WHT]

Most brake cleaners tell you not to spray the cleaner on rubber.

As mentioned above, rubber contains wax protectants that prevent damage from Ozone. A cleaner might not directly damage rubber. However, any cleaner that removes wax will eventually indirectly damage rubber by removing the wax surface protectants. The older "folk" will remember all of the problems the original Armor All caused because it contained silicone (which also removes wax protectants from rubber).

You can minimize this damage by applying a rubber preserver after cleaning.

 

[Joelfke]

i was more worried about a one time spray, not repeated exposure

 

[mrholeshot]

i was more worried about a one time spray, not repeated exposure

Brake clean is like crack. They will give you the first can free and you'll be on it for life, lol

 

[nate379]

It melts nitrile gloves and plastic. Would not figure it would be good on rubber. Small spray near brake parts is one thing, but set some parts in a pail of it for a few hrs to soak and it will probably ruin all the rubber stuff.

And for you guys using CASES of that week, but it in the 5 or 55 gal drum and put it in a Sure Shot sprayer. Much much cheaper!

 

[Joelfke]

Brake clean is like crack. They will give you the first can free and you'll be on it for life, lol

I love it already and use it all the time to clean off parts but usually its covers or pans and nothing with rubber on/in it, hence the thread

 

[krusty the clown]

Pressure washer and degreaser would work much better than 10 cans of brake cleaner!

the correct answer! even if you don't have a pressure washer, kerosene in a spray bottle and a stiff brush will work! you can use simple green or a similar product as well.....

 

[Indy_500]

Brake clean is like crack. They will give you the first can free and you'll be on it for life, lol

your right! I first bought it to simply clean the brakes on my sled! Now i use it for everything!