Brake cleaner vs Carb cleaner

[unibrook]

Are these two essentially the same?

 

Can I use carb cleaner on my rear drum brakes as I change them?

 

Any probs with this?

[Rooster2]

No, I don't think so. Suggest avoid spraying on anything made of rubber, as the solvent will degrade rubber product.

 

Also, avoid breathing the solvent vapor. It is nasty stuff that you don't want in your lungs.

[idosubaru]

being much more expensive i'm guessing brake cleaner is different. my guess is a google search would answer that questions.

[Fairtax4me]

Yes they are quite different. Brake cleaner dries clean and fast , leaves no residue, so that the brakes have a nice clean surface so they work properly.

Carb cleaner is generally heavily petroleum based and will leave oils/residue behind that will prevent the brakes from working until the residue is burned off.

 

Use brake cleaner for brakes, carb cleaner for carbs.

[CNY_Dave]

Carb cleaner dries about as residue-free as brake cleaner, and if you're cleaning just unpainted metal parts, that's about all that matters.

 

But as said, carb cleaner is worse for you and might chew the heck out of rubber, plastic, paint, skin, maybe pads and shoes, and sure as hell will wreck your eyes.

 

 

Dave

[unibrook]

Thx all for the good points raised. It seems I should worry about the carb cleaner possibly degrading the rubber boots on the brake cylinder, so I will use brake cleaner only. thx again.

[2.5_IMP]

Carb cleaner dries about as residue-free as brake cleaner, and if you're cleaning just unpainted metal parts, that's about all that matters.

 

But as said, carb cleaner is worse for you and might chew the heck out of rubber, plastic, paint, skin, maybe pads and shoes, and sure as hell will wreck your eyes.

 

 

Dave

 

Carb cleaner in the eyes BURNS. Don't ask me how I know, but I now always wear safety glasses when using carb cleaner, brake cleaner, or any type of solvent.

 

If you like reading MSDS sheets as much as I do...

 

Carb cleaner:

http://www.berrymanproducts.com/Portals/0/BPI%20MSDS/0101,0105,0116,0155%20%28Blend%201AA-MS%29.pdf

 

Brake cleaner:

http://www.berrymanproducts.com/Portals/0/1420.pdf

 

http://www.berrymanproducts.com/Default.aspx?tabid=120

[Uberoo]

Carb cleaner in the eyes BURNS. Don't ask me how I know, but I now always wear safety glasses when using carb cleaner, brake cleaner, or any type of solvent.

 

X eleventy billion!

[spencerd]

Carb cleaner is a petroleum based solvent. Brake parts cleaner is denatured alcohol.

[MilesFox]

Carb cleaner in the eyes BURNS.

 

So does brake cleaner, and gasoline. Motor oil isnt sobad, but beware the metal sparks, as you will need a Dr.'s drill to get the rusty shard out of your cornea.

 

I used brake cleaner on an engine reseal, and i will just say, "Don't use brake cleaner on the oil pump seals!". The seals swelled up and would not fit in the groove on the back of the pump. Never again!

 

Brake cleaner works best sprayed onto a rag if you are just trying to clean off fingerprints and grease for assembly.

[mountaingoatgruff]

As stated, carb cleaner does not dry residue free. The residue left behind can glaze over your brake linings and severly lower braking performance. I know because it happened after I did the brakes on my 65 A100 with carb cleaner when I was 19. I bought 4 complete sets of shoes that day....