How to wash/clean disc brakes?
09-06-23, 12:20 PM
#1
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How to wash/clean disc brakes?
I was going to wash my bike but I found out finish line bike wash cant be used on disc brakes. What should I use?
09-06-23, 12:40 PM
#2
I'm good to go!
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Are your rotors dirty? If Finish Line was talking about disc brakes, they probably meant the rotors. Can't see any reason why the brake body would need any special treatment over anything you'd use on the bike frame.
If you got mud on the rotors, then just flush that off with a hose. A brush or rag if stuff clings too much for your hose.
If you got mud on the rotors, then just flush that off with a hose. A brush or rag if stuff clings too much for your hose.
09-06-23, 01:38 PM
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Basic dish soap.
09-06-23, 06:07 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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For cleaning rotors and braking components use isopropyl alcohol for outer parts that won't effect braking you can use the Finish Line or Dr. Bronners or stuff like that but you never want to get oils on your braking surfaces and if you do clean with isopropyl alcohol and a clean towel (some shop rags are cleaned in diesel and you don't want oils on anything)
09-06-23, 07:44 PM
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I use a 50/50 mix of water and iso alcohol in a spray bottle which I use to spritz the rotors and wipe them dry with a clean cloth.
Same with the brake caliper innards and pads when I remove them from the caliper. I inspect them for wear...rotors and pads...and clean them. The brakes perform great and are nice and quiet. If the pads are very dirty I give them a light sanding then clean them with the mix.
I ride around 400+ miles per week and perform this maintenance once every three weeks or less if I've ridden in rain, etc. This is for both my road bike and gravel bike though I ride the gravel bike less than the road bike so maybe once a month or so depending on the surface conditions...a lot of mud, etc. will see a more thorough maintenance job.
Same with the brake caliper innards and pads when I remove them from the caliper. I inspect them for wear...rotors and pads...and clean them. The brakes perform great and are nice and quiet. If the pads are very dirty I give them a light sanding then clean them with the mix.
I ride around 400+ miles per week and perform this maintenance once every three weeks or less if I've ridden in rain, etc. This is for both my road bike and gravel bike though I ride the gravel bike less than the road bike so maybe once a month or so depending on the surface conditions...a lot of mud, etc. will see a more thorough maintenance job.
