Brake Fluid for Cleaning Bolts?

Lots of folks report similar stories to yours, but no one
talks about routinely using it to clean old rusty bolts. So
I'm hesitant, like maybe I'm missing something.

Maybe the stuff is so hard on the hands that people avoid
it. Dunno. Just thought I'd ask, since I'm in the middle or
a suspension renovation job and have come across some pretty
beat up nuts and bolts (many of which I'm replacing).

 

what's being missed is that it's a great rust promoter. put some bolts
in a paper bag, saturate with brake fluid, then leave out in the garage
a while. the only time it can be used in contact with ferrous metals is
where it's sealed and moisture absorption is minimized. otherwise, it's
a great way to return iron to its original ore.

 

what's being missed is that it's a great rust promoter. put some bolts
in a paper bag, saturate with brake fluid, then leave out in the garage
a while. the only time it can be used in contact with ferrous metals is
where it's sealed and moisture absorption is minimized. otherwise, it's
a great way to return iron to its original ore.

 

I'm confused. Are you really looking for information or just looking
for someone to justify what you have already decided to do. Someone
gives you several well thought out reasons why it isn't a good idea and
you respond with your own pre-conceived justifications.

If you want to use brake fluid as a cleaner then go ahead but it is a
poor choice. Just don't ask for opinions if you don't want to hear
them.

 

I'm confused. Are you really looking for information or just looking
for someone to justify what you have already decided to do. Someone
gives you several well thought out reasons why it isn't a good idea and
you respond with your own pre-conceived justifications.

If you want to use brake fluid as a cleaner then go ahead but it is a
poor choice. Just don't ask for opinions if you don't want to hear
them.

 

This thread is beyond your reasoning abilities.

 

This thread is beyond your reasoning abilities.

 

Is there any other chemical that will remove paint from plastic without
damaging the plastic? Brake fluid did a good job stripping the paint
form my ABS/polycarbonate wheel covers.

 

Is there any other chemical that will remove paint from plastic without
damaging the plastic? Brake fluid did a good job stripping the paint
form my ABS/polycarbonate wheel covers.

 

You can buy a box of 100 nitrile gloves from Harbor Freight for less than
$10;I notice some of the TV auto improvement shows use them.
(Truck Universe,2 Guys Garage..@ Speed Channel)

Nitrile gloves are tougher than latex,and resist chemicals much better.
I used them for replacing my brake master cylinder.

 

I found a good general purpose cleaner/preservative/lubricant is made
with mineral spirits, 60% or so and straight 30w motor oil. Put all
the stuff in a coffee can and let it soak a while, shaking it up now
and then.
The bolts come out clean and slightly lubricated. If you are going
into an aluminum casting you should put the antisieze on them but if
this is steel to steel this is lube enough.

 

I found a good general purpose cleaner/preservative/lubricant is made
with mineral spirits, 60% or so and straight 30w motor oil. Put all
the stuff in a coffee can and let it soak a while, shaking it up now
and then.
The bolts come out clean and slightly lubricated. If you are going
into an aluminum casting you should put the antisieze on them but if
this is steel to steel this is lube enough.

 

Depends on the plastic, and on the type of paint. Brake fluid is not
normally
a good paint remover for GOOD paint.

Acrylonitrile/Butadiene/Styrene is a pretty tough polymer. Used in athletic
helmets
and a number of other high impact applications. Although it is not
impervious to
solvents, it often tolerates them pretty well without softening.

 

Depends on the plastic, and on the type of paint. Brake fluid is not
normally
a good paint remover for GOOD paint.

Acrylonitrile/Butadiene/Styrene is a pretty tough polymer. Used in athletic
helmets
and a number of other high impact applications. Although it is not
impervious to
solvents, it often tolerates them pretty well without softening.

 

I think you are misinterpreting the question. She is asking: "is this idea
going to do something bad rather than the good I am hoping for?" and seeking
the experience of others. I believe learning from the experience of others
is a good thing and the main reason we are here - most of us, anyway.

For myself, I've never tried it and am curious how it works out. Since Elle
doesn't know everything, and knows she doesn't know (thus the question) but
has a good reputation here it has my interest.

Mike

 

I think you are misinterpreting the question. She is asking: "is this idea
going to do something bad rather than the good I am hoping for?" and seeking
the experience of others. I believe learning from the experience of others
is a good thing and the main reason we are here - most of us, anyway.

For myself, I've never tried it and am curious how it works out. Since Elle
doesn't know everything, and knows she doesn't know (thus the question) but
has a good reputation here it has my interest.

Mike

 

Were they hard to bleed? (Sorry - couldn't stop myself!)

Mike

 

berrymans chem-dip is much better. takes off *everything*

 

berrymans chem-dip is much better. takes off *everything*

 

Yes, that's precisely it.

Thanks. But on this one, I am not inclined to experiment. It
just seemed like people would do it a lot, or they never do
it. In which case I don't want to be the guinea pig.