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PSA: Stop using disc brake cleaner on your rim brake pads
Had a guy at the co-op insist that disc brake cleaner works fine on rim brake pads. I figured it was all just degreaser so I went with it. Went through three sets of pads in two weeks before I realized they were glazing over every time. Finally took a closer look and the cleaner leaves a residue that kills friction. Took me 15 miles of sketchy braking on a wet downhill to figure that out. Has anyone else run into this or am I the only one who got fooled?
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smith.lee3d ago
Yeah @logan271, I feel you, I was right there with you thinking any degreaser was the same thing. What finally worked for me was just using isopropyl alcohol and a clean rag. I hit the pads with that after every wet ride, let them dry for a few minutes, and the glaze stopped building up completely. The alcohol evaporates clean with no residue at all, unlike that disc stuff. I also started sanding the pads lightly with 120 grit sandpaper once a month just to rough them up a little. That combo saved me from replacing pads every week and my braking feels solid again even in the rain.
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logan2713d ago
Man I was totally the opposite, always thought any degreaser would do the same job but now I'm rethinking my whole setup after reading this.
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kai_ramirez383d ago
I was totally in the same boat a few months ago, running the cheapest disc brake cleaner I could find at AutoZone. I figured brake cleaner was brake cleaner, you know? My pads were glazing over every couple weeks and I was burning through rotors like crazy. Then my buddy who actually races showed me how much gunk the cheap stuff leaves behind, even after it dries. I switched to isopropyl alcohol last month and it's night and day difference, my pads are actually grabbing now instead of that annoying squeak. What brand of iso are you grabbing, just the 91% stuff or something else?
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