Topic: I made a big mistake

[ddanz27]

Being the newb that I am I used simple green to clean my master cylinder and front brake caliper. both of which are now coated in corrosion. I am afraid I have ruined all of my front brake components. I wanted to clean all the gunk off of the components before taking them to be blasted tomorrow but it looks like that might be a waste now. Should I just cut my losses and look for replacement components on ebay and not pay for the blasting? Is there anything at all that I can reverse this oops with? FML 

[Ernest T]

I use simple green all the time without issues, how bad is it and how long has it been rusting?  Blasting will remove the rust, but if its bad there could be some pitting.

[scunny]

if it's the white residue, don't sweat it. rinse in soapy water then clean water.

[ddanz27]

Its not rust, its the white oxidized powder/crust that has covered everything. I can scratch it off but I am mostly concerned about the caliper cylinder, its not at all smooth any more. I am assuming the machined innards of the master cylinder are the same. I know Simple Green is safe in moderation but I had no idea soaking aluminum in it for a few hours would do this...

[Roach]

if it's the white residue, don't sweat it. rinse in soapy water then clean water.

+1 it will wash out with soap

[Lavis500]

Its not rust, its the white oxidized powder/crust that has covered everything.

It may not be red rust, but aluminum oxidizes in a white powdery crystallized crust.  However, nasty old brake fluid will dry in the same manner.  So, continue to clean and scrub until you can see all of your surfaces.  Smooth = ok!  Pitted = you might be in trouble.  Of course, it would all depend on the quantity of the pitting.

Just my $0.02.  No more, no less.

[mystic_1]

Got pics?

mystic_1

[flybox1]

Got pics?

mystic_1

+1 on the pics.
used SG on all my brake components with no probs...
scrub them in it again, and then scrub/rinse in hot soapy water.

[ddanz27]

I did not take pics yet. I went ahead and took the pieces to the blaster. I will post a pic of the caliper cylinder when it returns. I am crossing my fingers that its alright, or if its not I am hoping a couple seconds of brake honing will do the trick.

[ddanz27]

Alright fellas, I just got my brake parts from the blaster and wanted to share a few pics to get your advice... Its pretty hard to get the surface of the caliper cylinder in photo, the master cylinder is pretty obvious. Although, I think the area of the master cylinder with the pitting is safe that way... Tell me what you think.

Should I just get a brake hone and give it all a shot? If it matters at all, I have a new phenolic piston and new caliper seal all ready to go...

[flybox1]

    nice and clean. just what a blaster does, but i dont think i'd have had them blast the inside of your caliper as it increases the ID, ever so slightly.  
you might have caliper ring and piston slack = poor pressure, leaky brakes, brake fluid on your discs and the inability to stop when you want to....
might be nothing to worry about, just my $.02

[TwoTired]

The caliper is probably usable as is.  (Not really good to bead blast the inside, though.)

However, if the master cylinder bore (not the reservoir) has been bead blasted or corroded it will need to be honed shiny/smooth, or replaced if too much material has been removed.  Won't hurt to try it, I suppose.  But, be vigilant for leaks that attack paint and electrical plastic/electrical insulators.

Cheers,