WD40 on brake discs for 4 week parking?
Discussion
I think a dab of copper grease on each disc is the solution. That way you will most likely just crash into the garden wall opposite your drive and spare the schoolchild from being run down when you have to stop suddenly a few miles from your house and use the brakes properly for the first time.
Seriously, oil soaks into pads and comes out when they get hot, i.e. when you're braking hard, and forms a lovely molecule thick layer between the disc and pad, reducing the friction coefficient and rendering the brakes useless. Don't put any form of oil (WD40 contains strong lubricating oils) on the discs or pads. Ever.
Use brake cleaner on them and lots of hard braking to keep the rust down and prevent pitting.
Seriously, oil soaks into pads and comes out when they get hot, i.e. when you're braking hard, and forms a lovely molecule thick layer between the disc and pad, reducing the friction coefficient and rendering the brakes useless. Don't put any form of oil (WD40 contains strong lubricating oils) on the discs or pads. Ever.
Use brake cleaner on them and lots of hard braking to keep the rust down and prevent pitting.
bodgerben said:
Oh dear, please don't go around telling people to clean brakes with White Spirit, not quite as bad as knowingly putting WD40 on your brakes, but White Spirit, whilst it is a degreaser, will not fully clean the brakes. It will leave an oil based residue, which is not much cop if a nipper runs out in front of you just as you pull out of your driveway.
Use a brake cleaner to clean brakes, not an oil based product.
I must admit this is the first time I've ever seen someone seriously think about putting oil on their brakes - I've heard about people saying they would put grease\oil on other peoples brakes (I wonder why), but not their own
OP - good on you for having the balls to ask the question, you've made my day.
I would bet money that discs wiped down with white spirit would show no drop in efficiency on a brake tester and would absolutely not render the brakes dangerous.Use a brake cleaner to clean brakes, not an oil based product.
I must admit this is the first time I've ever seen someone seriously think about putting oil on their brakes - I've heard about people saying they would put grease\oil on other peoples brakes (I wonder why), but not their own
OP - good on you for having the balls to ask the question, you've made my day.ian_uk1975 said:
bodgerben said:
Oh dear, please don't go around telling people to clean brakes with White Spirit, not quite as bad as knowingly putting WD40 on your brakes, but White Spirit, whilst it is a degreaser, will not fully clean the brakes. It will leave an oil based residue, which is not much cop if a nipper runs out in front of you just as you pull out of your driveway.
Use a brake cleaner to clean brakes, not an oil based product.
I must admit this is the first time I've ever seen someone seriously think about putting oil on their brakes - I've heard about people saying they would put grease\oil on other peoples brakes (I wonder why), but not their own OP - good on you for having the balls to ask the question, you've made my day.
I would bet money that discs wiped down with white spirit would show no drop in efficiency on a brake tester and would absolutely not render the brakes dangerous.Use a brake cleaner to clean brakes, not an oil based product.
I must admit this is the first time I've ever seen someone seriously think about putting oil on their brakes - I've heard about people saying they would put grease\oil on other peoples brakes (I wonder why), but not their own
OP - good on you for having the balls to ask the question, you've made my day.OP, wd40 won't contaminate your pads long term. A couple of decent brake applications and I'll be gone. It will prevent corrosion though. Don't ask me how I know or the PH jackals will tear me limb from limb. 
It's worth bearing in mind that in might contaminate the rubber boots on the caliper pistons, accelerating their breakdown. I doubt it would be significant though. Most drivers are driving around in cars with very suboptimal brakes. If you were to go out and perform 8 or 10 high speed brake applications you'd be amazed at how good your brakes will be afterwards. Most of us simply don't use our brakes enough to clean the discs and to deposit an even layer of pad material on the disc to ensure efficient braking.
It's worth bearing in mind that in might contaminate the rubber boots on the caliper pistons, accelerating their breakdown. I doubt it would be significant though. Most drivers are driving around in cars with very suboptimal brakes. If you were to go out and perform 8 or 10 high speed brake applications you'd be amazed at how good your brakes will be afterwards. Most of us simply don't use our brakes enough to clean the discs and to deposit an even layer of pad material on the disc to ensure efficient braking.
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