Maintaining the brakes of a car is arguably one of the most important maintenance steps that one can carry out. Having well-maintained brakes can have a significant positive effect on vehicular safety, Constant brake use can cause various dirt and debris to build up, both on its surfaces and its various nooks and crannies.
Regular brake system cleaning has many benefits, as we will examine later on. Briefly, it helps your brakes function optimally, as well as ensuring its extended lifespan. The wellbeing of a braking system requires effort. At the same time, it also requires the right cleaning tools.
We will examine how high-performance brake cleaner sprays can help you with the maintenance of your brake system, as well all its components and other parts of your car.
What is Brake Cleaner Spray?
A brake cleaner is an essential component for vehicle maintenance. It consists of a colourless clearing agent, usually an organic solvent based mixture. It is usually sold in pressurised canisters for easy application through spraying on various surfaces. The cleaner is mainly used to remove grease, oils, fats, resins, tars, dust and other contaminants.
Brake cleaners evaporate quickly, and leave no residue on the surface. As such, it does not have to be washed or wiped off after application. These cleaners are divided into two types, Chlorinated and non-Chlorinated brake sprays. We shall examine the unique features of these two types, as well as their pros and cons.
Difference Between Chlorinated and Non-Chlorinated Brake Sprays
The formulation of your high performance brake cleaner influences several things, including how often you can use these cleaners. Understanding the components and materials within the two different types of brake cleaners will also help you make more informed purchasing decisions.
Chlorinated Brake Cleaners
These brake cleaners are made with organochlorides, which are organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom. Some examples of these compounds include Trichloroethylene (TCE), Methylene Chloride (MeCl) and Perchloroethylene (Perc). Chlorinated brake cleaners have been in use much longer than non-chlorinated ones.
The materials used here are considered potent and come with some usage regulations. This includes limiting the number of times Chlorinated Brake Cleaners are used and using them in an open area with good ventilation rather than in enclosed spaces. This type of spray is not safe for use on plastic surfaces.
Willpower offers the CRC 5089 Brakleen with low surface tension and high density to ensure superior degreasing, even removing grease that has penetrated into linings. This spray is residue free, with controlled evaporation of solvents.
Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaners
Non-Chlorinated cleaners are made with more environmentally friendly chemicals like acetone, heptane and isopropyl alcohol, as well as low toxicity hydrocarbon compounds, including mineral spirits and toluene.
While not having as strong an effect on your health and environment, this type of brake cleaner is highly flammable. They are therefore unsuitable to be used in areas where there are heat sources, such as nearby welding stations. Some non-chlorinated cleaners are safe to be used on plastic surfaces.
Willpower’s CRC 5084 Brakleen Non-Chlorinated spray is designed for fast evaporation, with a residue free formula that is also more eco-friendly.
Which One Should I Choose?
Both types of brake cleaners have their benefits. Chlorinated cleaners work faster in removing grease and other debris, but can have a strong effect on your health and the environment.
Non-chlorinated cleaners are better for health and the environment, but are highly flammable and unsuitable for use in environments where there are heat sources or fires near your work area.
How High Performance Brake Cleaners Lead to Optimal Maintenance
The usage of brake cleaner sprays help maintain different parts of your automobile and allow them to function at their best. Here’s why you need a brake cleaner for your home use or workshop business.
Removing Grease and Grime
Brakes are exposed to the environment, and this can cause a buildup of dust and oil. These and other contaminants can lead to a layer of asbestos, rust and grease forming on brake discs, calipers, pads and rotors. The layers can lead to a loss of grip, causing slippage and dangerous brake malfunctions. Cleaning your brakes helps them function more effectively and last longer too.
Cleaning Fully Metallic Tools and Auto Parts
Brake cleaners are also useful in degreasing and cleaning fully metallic automotive tools like ratchets and sockets.. It can safely be used to keep your tools grease free, maintaining their grip and keeping them optimally functional.
Apart from automotive tools, these degreasing sprays can also be used on various auto parts outside the braking and clutch systems. Examples include chains, wire ropes, dies, moulds and others.
Minimising Disc Thickness Variations
Disc Thickness Variations (DTV) can happen when there’s a buildup of debris on your brakes, causing uneven thickness on your rotors. When the disc pads are applied, they exert an uneven pressure too, causing your vehicle to shake upon braking and your brake pads to deteriorate faster. Cleaning your brakes regularly prevents DTV from happening.
Maintaining Your Anti-Lock Braking System
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is important in preventing your wheels from locking and skidding on slippery ground, giving you more control over your vehicle in times of emergency. A dirty and grimy ABS system can malfunction, which is why cleaning it with a brake cleaner spray as often as needed is highly recommended.
In Conclusion
The benefits of using brake cleaner sprays are numerous, especially in maintaining and optimising the safety and function of your braking system. Additionally, they also provide enhanced convenience to automotive workers who can perform ‘in-place cleaning’, without having to take the brake system apart.
Willpower provides high quality, dependable Brakleen brake cleaners from CRC, both Chlorinated and Non-Chlorinated in order to fulfil your specific needs. Contact us for any questions, and let our degreasing experts answer them.
