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From start to finish, brake cleaner is an indispensable brake job tool. The laser-focused high-pressure stream of powerful cleaners blasts away grease and dirt, and liquifies harmful brake dust in seconds. Once the crusty old brake parts are off the axle and in the bin, this quick-dry cleaner removes protective oils from new disc rotors and other brake parts for a super clean installation.
Choosing the right brake cleaner can be vexing at best, so we grabbed a few armloads of cans and put them to work on a front disc brake overhaul to find out which one is the best.
The original brake cleaner formula is still the best of the bunch. The most powerful and fastest drying chlorinated heavy hitter is a time-proven champion against brake dust and crud.
This non-chlorinated 50-state brake cleaner is a value leader that stands on its own with good performance. It's an excellent choice to supplement more expensive formulations with sheer volume.
Innovative formulation and trade-secret cleaning agents add up to more power in every ounce. It’s a key component in the comprehensive lineup of specialized 3M brake repair and service products.
Brake cleaner benefits are numerous, but not all brake parts cleaners are the same. Choosing between varieties can be like trying to decide between the 567 different kinds of toothpaste on the store shelf. State regulations and 50-state legal formulations add another layer of product confusion.
No matter which kind you choose, one good rule with brake cleaner is to always buy more than you think you’ll need. Having extra brake cleaner on hand is always good.
We went one step beyond and picked up several different brands and types of brake cleaner, and put them to the test on a long-overdue front brake overhaul on our 1989 Mitsubishi Montero. Road salt, rust, and contamination had ruined the rotors, clogged up the brake pads, seized the caliper pins, and fused one of the pistons in place.
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Chlorinated brake cleaner almost always wins against non-chlorinated blends. Since it’s also usually more expensive, we often grab a few cans of the good stuff and an armful of economy grade brake cleaner for the initial attack. The spent brake parts didn’t need to be super clean, and our Best Value winner Super Tech Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner dispatched brake dust in seconds flat.
Higher grade non-chlorinated formulas performed better in our test — but were no match for the chlorinated champion. Here are the various types on the market:
Chlorinated brake cleaners contain powerful solvents like tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene or PERC), methylene chloride, and other organochlorines. This top-shelf heavy hitter cleans parts fast, dries quickly, and leaves no residue. Chlorinated brake cleaner is non-flammable, but it should only be used to clean cool parts; tetrachloroethylene can create deadly phosgene gas if it contacts surfaces above 315 degrees Fahrenheit.
This type of brake cleaner is less potent but no less toxic than its chlorinated cousin and can take longer to dry. Non-chlorinated brake cleaners use a blend of hydrocarbon solvents and alcohols to get the job done. These blends can contain hexane, acetone, toluene, naphtha, benzene, xylene, and methanol. Most non-chlorinated brake cleaner ingredients are extremely flammable. Use caution.
Hydrocarbon VOC regulations vary by state; California and New Jersey regulations prohibit the use of perchloroethylene cleaners outright. This newer type of brake parts cleaner meets tighter state regulations on organochlorines and hydrocarbon volatile organic compounds, or VOC. Low VOC non-chlorinated brake cleaners make up the bulk of 50-state blends, but the product distinctions get blurry in some cases.
Corrosion Reaction Consultants was founded in 1958 with CRC Corrosion Inhibitor as its only product. CRC has come a long way since that Pennsylvania garage served as company headquarters. Today, CRC manufactures over 1,300 specialty consumer and professional products for the automotive, marine, aviation, heavy truck, and electrical markets spanning the globe.
3M manufactures a wide range of products for the automotive industry and the aftermarket. 3M is a global supplier of adhesives and acoustic materials used to manufacture new cars and trucks and offers a comprehensive lineup of professional and consumer level tools, supplies, collision repair solutions from car care products like Scotch-Brite to its world-famous Bondo body filler.
Cleaning is the essential feature of any brake cleaner, and different formulations affect overall performance. Perchloroethylene, or PERC, is the main ingredient in most chlorinated brake cleaners and is generally more effective than the hydrocarbon solvent and alcohol blends in non-chlorinated formulations. But it's not available in all 50 states.
The smallest quantity of greasy film or oily residue on brake pads or rotors can cause significant problems down the road. The best brake cleaner blasts away layers of dusty debris, dries quickly, and leaves nothing behind.
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Online brake cleaner prices range from slightly pricey to downright ridiculous. Buying in bulk can bring costs down to far more reasonable levels. Buying by the case also reduces the possibility of a loose cap and wedged nozzle emptying the can in shipping.
We had good results with CarQuest
Wearever Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner; a 12-can case brought the per-can cost within pennies of the store's shelf price. Further, one can of 3M High Power Brake Cleaner might set you back a sawbuck online, but a 12-can case more than halves that. A 12-can case GUNK Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner also works out to substantial savings.
Buying by the gallon is another option. One 5-gallon can of CRC Non-Chlorinated brake cleaner contains the equivalent of almost 46 14-ounce cans.
3M High Power Brake Cleaner
3M High Power Brake Cleaner 08880
3M High Power Brake Cleaner Mid-Level VOC
3M High Power Brake Cleaner Low VOC
Super Tech Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner
3M High Power Brake Parts Cleaner 08880 case of 12
No, not at all. Brake cleaner is a safe and effective brake pad and shoe lining cleaner. A few quick squirts of brake cleaner removes grease and accumulated crud that can damage brake pads and rotors. Brake cleaner also removes accidental grease and oil from new brake pads and shoes during installation.
Yes. Some brake cleaners contain acetone, methylene chloride, and other solvents that damage paint. Acetone can damage some plastics. Chlorinated brake cleaner without methylene chloride might be OK, but it’s far better less expensive to play it safe. Protect all painted and plastic surfaces from brake cleaner overspray.
A: Don’t do it. Most automotive wheels wear paint or a protective clear coat over the aluminum alloy. Chlorinated brake cleaners can contain paint-melting methylene chloride. Non-chlorinated brake cleaners are full of aggressive solvents and acetone that damage paint and plastics. Use hand dishwashing soap or wheel cleaner to clean your wheels.
No. Acetone and other brake cleaner chemicals can damage plastic connectors, wire insulation, internal electronic components, and even lift conductor traces off printed circuit boards. Use a dedicated electronic parts or electrical contact cleaner on all electrical parts and connectors.
No. Not now, not ever. For the thousandth time, no. Never spray WD40, lubricant, or lubricating cleaner on your brakes. Oils and greases of any kind will permanently damage your brake pads and rotors and result in a dangerous reduction in brake performance. Do not use WD40 on brakes.
Yes and no. Brake cleaner is proven safe for brake parts or any parts shared with the brake system. Using brake cleaner to clean nuts and bolts, clips, hardware, or other metal parts is OK. Brake cleaner is also fine for cleaning clutch parts and clutch friction material dust.
Use a metal catch tray or pan to collect the brake cleaner and let the excess liquid evaporate. Bonus: Grab a brush and reuse the leftover brake cleaner to pre-clean extra grungy nuts and bolts. Never pour used brake cleaner on the ground or into drains.
Non-flammable chlorinated formulas like our best overall winner CRC Brakleen Non-Flammable Brake Cleaner are time-proven favorites. Pick it up by the case or the gallon if the law allows; you’ll save a bundle. Newer non-chlorinated blends are improving, but formulations and availability vary. Relatively new 50-state legal formulas blur longstanding distinctions between chlorinated non-flammable and non-chlorinated flammable types.
Brake cleaner that meets VOC or CARB air quality standards is by no means less toxic to humans. The best way to determine what’s in your brake cleaner is to check its Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The documents usually come with the product, or are easy to find by entering brand+product name+part number+MSDS or SDS into your favorite internet search engine.
Brake cleaner is an essential tool, and many shadetree mechanics use it for a variety of uses. Still, the fact is the stuff comes an many, many types and varieties. The majority of them are harmful, toxic, and/or flammable. And most will ruin materials like paint and plastic. Before you mess with it, make absolutely certain you’re using the right product for your needs — and when using it, exercise extreme caution.
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