Topic: best solvent to clean the caliper seal groove? SIMPLE GREEN!

[grumpy]

(gasp) Oh the horror!

HA! Yeah - why would anybody use white brake grease on brakes, huh?

I did, however, get some Dow silicon grease.  

Thanks for the tips everyone!!!!!!!!!

[Porscheguy912]

Porsch.. - scotchbrite has abrasives bonded to it and shouldn't be used on an aluminum caliper in my opinion.

I know it has abrasives in it and thats why i use it to clean that crap outta there.
Its less abrasive than sand paper and its easy to get in to the groove. Just cut a strip and mash it in there.

Mine are back together with no issues. But to each his own!

[BobbyR]

Porsch.. - scotchbrite has abrasives bonded to it and shouldn't be used on an aluminum caliper in my opinion.

I know it has abrasives in it and thats why i use it to clean that crap outta there.
Its less abrasive than sand paper and its easy to get in to the groove. Just cut a strip and mash it in there.

Mine are back together with no issues. But to each his own!

There are different grades of Scotchbrite, our welders use one grade finish off the welds before painting, and some is quite mild and gently used would not remove much aluminum. The key is the proper grade properly used.

[Porscheguy912]

Porsch.. - scotchbrite has abrasives bonded to it and shouldn't be used on an aluminum caliper in my opinion.

I know it has abrasives in it and thats why i use it to clean that crap outta there.
Its less abrasive than sand paper and its easy to get in to the groove. Just cut a strip and mash it in there.

Mine are back together with no issues. But to each his own!

There are different grades of Scotchbrite, our welders use one grade finish off the welds before painting, and some is quite mild and gently used would not remove much aluminum. The key is the proper grade properly used.

Yep, I start with a quick hit with the green then to the red (or the otherway around i cant remember)
My cousin is a welder and we both rent a work space from his boss.
They use it for everything and there is a ton of it at the shop so thats why i tried it.

It also works great to finish sand drywall plaster joints. But enough about Scotch-brite 

[Inigo Montoya]

I stuck with the brass dremel wheel. Worked wonders in a mater of minutes.

[BobbyR]

Great information from everyone. As we can see from this thread and other there are several workable solutions to most problems. We also reminded people not to use White Lithium grease which was OK back in the drum brake days to lube the backing plates where the shoes contacted and the adjustment wheel, even then it probably sucked.

[Huskyoff]

What about using a grease like SuperLube?

http://www.super-lube.com/synthetic-multipurpose-grease-ez-49.htm

[cwchan]

has anyone tried plain white vinegar?

[KeithB]

I used a brass wheel on my Dremel and it worked great.

+1 on the brass wheel for cleaning the groove.
Then I use 0000 steel wool to buff the inside and clean with spray brake cleaner.

[P_Camps]

I find a dash of lime juice on the engine  great for adding flavour without the fat...