Brake rotors... What the hell is Isopropyl Alcohol?

[Kermit power]

Afternoon all,

I'm about to fit my new brake calipers. The instructions tell me to clean the rotors with Isopropyl Alcohol, and are very keen to ensure I don't use Brake Cleaner for some reason.

So.... What on earth is Isopropyl alcohol? Is it just the same as white spirits or turps or something?

[neenaw]

It's just alcohol that is used for cleaning medical equipment and things like that, it's about 99.9% pure.

Personally I always just use brake cleaner on my bike rotors. I'm sure I read somewhere that bike companies advise against using brake cleaner as some cleaners can leave a residue on the rotor. As I say, it's never been an issue for me.

If you want isopropyl alcohol, you can buy it on ebay or from places like Maplin.

[yellowjack]

Snipped from Wiki ...

...Isopropyl alcohol dissolves a wide range of non-polar compounds. It also evaporates quickly and is relatively non-toxic, compared to alternative solvents. Thus, it is used widely as a solvent and as a cleaning fluid, especially for dissolving oils....

You can buy it in the form of 'white board cleaner' in a pump spray dispenser. (or steal it from the stationary cupboard at work )

[mrmr96]

Why not use normal brake cleaner?

[WinstonWolf]

Fairy Liquid will do the job

[ecsrobin]

We used to use it a lot of IPA in work, if you've heard of Acetone and can get hold of that it's very similar but IPA evaporates a lot slower so either would achieve the same affect.

Does anyone the difference between Acetone/IPA and break cleaner?

[matt-ITR]

Brake cleaner often has additives to reduce squeal or carbon build up.
Best to stick to isopropyl alcohol. It's cheap enough, either by the bottom or spray can. You will probably find you use it for cleaning lots of other things once you have some.

[hidetheelephants]

As the others have posted, plus you could also use meths instead; IPA, meths, acetone all do basically the same thing here, degrease the rotors so your pads don't get greasy crap on them.

[Watchman]

I don't know what's in carburetor cleaner but I use that for cleaning everything including both my discs and pads whenever necessary.

[astroarcadia]

I use this on my rotors and chain. Awesome stuff:

http://www.actioncan.com/type/510/TF-90-Fast-Dryin...

[Fluffsri]

Kermit power said:

Afternoon all,

I'm about to fit my new brake calipers. The instructions tell me to clean the rotors with Isopropyl Alcohol, and are very keen to ensure I don't use Brake Cleaner for some reason.

So.... What on earth is Isopropyl alcohol? Is it just the same as white spirits or turps or something?

Just in case you donet know, dont use turps, white spirit etc as they are oil based.

[Kermit power]

Fluffsri said:

Just in case you donet know, dont use turps, white spirit etc as they are oil based.

Yes, I did discover that, but thanks anyway.

I used Meths in the end.

[Justin S]

I believe that car disc brake cleaner has certain additives in, that on a car that creates a lot of heat, will burn off, but a bike, will cause contamination. I use electrical contact cleaner, which seems to evaporate off and is also useful for small bearings and parts cleaning too and a blast of an airline to dry it off.

[gazza285]

I used GT85 on my discs to stop them squealing, took about 30 yards of dragging the brake and they were as good as ever. Some lubricant that is.

[shalmaneser]

gazza285 said:

I used GT85 on my discs to stop them squealing, took about 30 yards of dragging the brake and they were as good as ever. Some lubricant that is.

Just for the clueless: DO NOT DO THIS!!!!

[Shivit]

IPA used to be called rubbing alcohol. Available in most good sports shops. It's good for taking grease and crud off of brake rotors, and good for cleaning up cuts and grazes. It stings, but it's good.

[Big_Dog]

I buy isopropyl alcohol as contact cleaner from Halford, Maplin type places. As mentioned above, great stuff. Good for cleaning nearly everything.