brake cleaner??

Is there any cheaper alternative than $4 per bottle brake cleaner when doing brake work?? thanks-

 

walmart has it for under 2 bucks a can

 

And here we have the root of the problem in a nutshell!

 

I buy it by the case, ends up being about $2 a can but I'd rather pay $4 anywhere as long as I don't have to set foot in a Walmart store.

 

What? That Autozone rapes us????

 

I buy mine at the local engine rebuilder/supplier or the local gasoline/oil distributor by the case for less than $2 per can.

 

i go there when i can get stuff cheaper, even if the place is a pain in the ass. i stock up on carb n brake cleaner there. i mean, unless you like the high dollar stuff for a certain reason then why pay more for it. brake cleaner only has about 30 secs worth of spraying in it, no matter what kind ive tried, lol.

 

You could always try ether it works good, just don't smoke while your spraying.

 

We seem to get plenty of flyers/coupons in the Sunday paper for the Schucks store, comes in about $1.79-$1.99 for the CRC products.

 

I guess I was wondering if anything like soap/water, denatured alcohol, acetone, etc. would do a decent job at a lower cost??

 

lol - think some are teetering on a china vs america rant again - I compeltely get the argument but at the same time are people really supposed to pay the higher price for the product that isnt being made in usa anyway or being bought to support local owned businesses (ie kragen, auto zone, etc who are owned by big business) just to try and stick it to Walmart?
i am all for supporting local coops and other businesses and materials made on USA soil and support AMerica first ANYTIME I can, but Im also a single income blue collar guy with a family of 4, seriously affected by the state of the economy, housing market, etc, and when I can buy brake cleaner for 1.99 at walmart as opposed to 4 bucks at autozone, there aint much to dispute in my mind.

or maybe im just some pinko commie terrorist for this frame of mind?

k, maybe im the one ranting, im done

 

exactly

 

Less than 2$ a can @ my local Napa...and thats in high priced California

 

Know a guy that works for freightliner and gets me 3m brake cleaner for .99 a can with his employee discount.

 

My take: Anything metal in there, drum-backing plate-springs'n'levers...can be cleaned with anything that works, then given a final quick flit with brake cleaner to remove any evil residues. Actual shoes and pads probably should be cleaned only with brake cleaner.

 

Years ago we used to buy brakeclean in a 55 Gallon drum, and used a small quart-sized metal spray-bottle (I think speedway offers them) ..add alittle air pressure, and away you go. Dont know where to get the brake clean today, but I remember seeing it available in 5 gallon cans from a local auto supply chain.

 

If your using brake clean for degreasing before Tig welding get the non chlorinated stuff, its better on your health.

Ago

 

I prefer denatured alcohol in direct contact with brake friction surfaces. Brake cleaner does seem to leave a residue, you can see the off-gassing and some contamination if you weld on a part cleaned with Brake Cleaner.
I cleaned the rotor on my mountainbike (stainless rotors, semi-metallic pads) with brake cleaner and they squeeled like hell until I wore off the residue. Did the same on the Harley, used brakekleen, squeeled like hell. I put two and two together... recleaned them with denatured alcohol and no more squeel. The spraycan of brakekleen is way easier to clean with and is a better solvent I think though, so just follow up with denatured alcohol on friction surfaces

Brakekleen, Gunk brand, or store brand is nearly always on sale here for $1.69 a can at Farm and Fleet.

missed this before I replied:

good thing to try, don't know if that will cut down on contamination, but health is always nice

 

Watch the sale ads and most times you can get it at the blister-pack stores (Kragens etc.) for $2. per can.

Wear goggles when you use it.
Nitrile gloves are a good idea as well, it just sucks the oil right out of your skin.

And don't use it to clean guns.
I hosed down the inside of the receiver on a new, never-fired WW Special 10-22 and it royally screwed up the finish on the receiver.
Got pics if you're interested....

 

we sell some johnsons brake cleaner that i get from a oil distributor. it cost me 1.44 a can and its the good stuff.