Using Brake-Kleen

Straw Boss · Sep 4, 2016

I haven't used Brake-Kleen before but I bought a few cans for cleaning parts when making repairs.
Seems the local tractor shop buys it by the pallet and the mechanics use it like its water out of an endless well spring.
Question is....is it much different than the engine degreaser that comes in a can. You're not supposed to let that stuff sit very long or it will eat the paint. Will the Brake-Kleen do the same? Will it fade the paint or cause it to loosen?

JD Seller · Sep 4, 2016

Brake-Kleen can harm/fade some paints. Do not use it on fresh paint as it will dissolve it. You also have to watch it around clear plastics as it can etch or cloud them.

Also it is different than the degreaser you buy. Degreaser is made to be washed off with water later. It is usually alkali based. Brake-Kleen is petroleum based and evaporates off. Leaving things ready for sealers and painting.

As for shops using a lot of it. Well I do too. If I am charging so much per hour to work on some thing I can't be wasting time fooling around with products that take lots of time to clean things up. An example would be a hydraulic valve body. Usually I can clean it up with a brush and spray parts cleaner pretty quickly. I do not have to worry about the cleaner having grit or other things in it. So even if it takes a can at around $5 that is faster and cheaper than me fooling around for 10-15 minutes at $75 per hour shop rate. Most dealer rates would be closer to $100.

NCWayne · Sep 4, 2016

I use a lot of it too. Beyond saying that, JD Seller covered all the bases regarding the reasons I use so much of it as well. Too he's right on the effects to paint, many plastics, etc.

One thing he didn't mention. The stuff is usually better than any bug spray you can find, and is usually cheaper. I've used it on everything from wasp nests, to yellow jacket nests, to black widows, to fire ants. It has never failed to drop whatever critter I hit with it.

Sprint 6 · Sep 4, 2016

Word of warning if you have never used it, DO NOT WELD METAL THAT HAS BEEN CLEANED WITH BRAKE CLEANER WITHOUT WASHING IT WITH SOAP AND WATER. Most brake cleaners contain chlorine compounds that are left behind even when dry. Welding metal that was cleaned only with brake clean can produce deadly phosphene(sp?) aka mustard gas.

OliverGuy · Sep 4, 2016

We buy it by the case for cleaning around small engines before repair to clean any oily grime off. My mechanic sprays it on the floor as the last step to clean up any oops.

Tramway Guy · Sep 4, 2016

Brakeleen changed their formula so it's less chlorinated in recent years. I don't think it's as effective as it once was.

Texasmark1 · Sep 4, 2016

I use it too and like it as it cleans well but doesn't eat away like carb cleaners. I don't leave it on paint very long, even though it evaporates quickly so I don't know what paints it attacks. I like the clean surface it leaves, unlike degreasers as mentioned, which leave a visible residue. Some things I don't want to wash especially if painting. I usually paint right over it.

I will keep in mind what was said about washing first if welding. Good point on Phosgene gas! Thanks.

Bill in IL · Sep 4, 2016

Works great for cleaning gasket surfaces of oil residue so they are clean enough to sparingly use your favorite RTV.

Goose · Sep 4, 2016

Always read the label completely on any cleaner or chemical. Some contain the caveat, "Do not use in an enclosed area. Inhaling fumes may be harmful, including death", or words to that effect.

I can't quote specific brands, but some of the stuff is pretty nasty.

Elmo · Sep 4, 2016

(quoted from post at 11:37:04 09/04/16) Word of warning if you have never used it, DO NOT WELD METAL THAT HAS BEEN CLEANED WITH BRAKE CLEANER WITHOUT WASHING IT WITH SOAP AND WATER. Most brake cleaners contain chlorine compounds that are left behind even when dry. Welding metal that was cleaned only with brake clean can produce deadly phosphene(sp?) aka mustard gas.

You can buy brake cleaner either regular or non chlorinated. I do not remember the brand, it is sold at bumper to bumper auto parts. I use the nonchlorinated on things that are to be heated or otherwise heated. I have too many stories about folks getting gassed and being killed or severely injured by welding on stuff cleaned with chlorinated brake cleaner. That said the non chlorinated dosen't clean as well.
Elmo

Jimmydog · Sep 4, 2016

Just going to second what NCWAYNE said about bug spray. I got a buddy that swears by the stuff for getting rid of wasps. JD

MSD · Sep 4, 2016

Actually the 3M band of cleaner is a better buy. It seems to go further and is only $3 a can our cost.

Hobo,NC · Sep 4, 2016

I brought some at NAPA on sale I think it was Mac's it was a napa brand I know. I believe it was pure lacuna thinner it would fuzz paint in a heart beat, get it in your eyes and it would put you on the knees it was mean and nasty but cleaned great. I don't need anything that mean so went to Advance and brought a 5 gal pal, brought it back to the shop and tested it. I had to take it back it was like the napa stuff.

I use my fair share of it great stuff... Mostly use Advance brand "Wearever" its been safe so far

Dune Country · Sep 4, 2016

It's also less volatile than either and works just as good.

Robert Major · Sep 4, 2016

Hi As a few have said watch fume inhalation from the chlorinated ones right out of the can. I buy non chlorinated here in cases when it's cheap on offer. It'S To expensive if I have to pay regular price at $6 plus a can. I went to one of my customers to do a sticking brake on his tractor. The guy supplies all his own stuff as he's afraid I might make a $ on something I bill him for.

He came out with a can of chlorinated from Case NH parts, I never gave it a thought and started spraying. This was out in the yard and in a pretty strong wind under the tractor. That stuff gave me a pretty nasty surprise with the fumes. I was out of there in less than 20 seconds. The non chlorinated I can use all day if I had to with no effect from fumes. But I did notice his stuff worked and dried off better. I think I'd rather use mine and be alive than dead using his though.

gab · Sep 4, 2016

If you try it you wont be able to live without it. Just don't get it in your eyes or you might wind up in the ER, the stuff takes the lubricant right off your eyeball and burns bad.

T in NE · Sep 5, 2016

You also have to he careful with ether.
A friend of mine breathed too much one day when a
driver used two cans in the break room trying to get
glue off the back side of his new stainless bumper.
It dried his lungs out, they started bleeding, he
almost drowned in his own blood that night. Any
amount of dust, and he's on his nebulizer. He'll
probably never work again because of all the scar
tissue.

If the driver had asked, they had a can of goop that
would take the glue right off, without any fumes.

GVSII · Sep 5, 2016

DO NOT use the Chloronated stuff in a confined
or enclosed space.You'll brown out in a hurry!

Using Brake-Kleen

Straw Boss

Well-known Member

JD Seller

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NCWayne

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Sprint 6

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OliverGuy

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Tramway Guy

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Texasmark1

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Bill in IL

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Goose

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Elmo

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Jimmydog

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MSD

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Hobo,NC

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Dune Country

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Robert Major

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gab

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T in NE

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GVSII

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