brake caliper cleaning

[budd]

I'm about to strip and rebuild my callipers what do people use to get the brake dust/grime off the caliper BEFORE taking the caliper apart, I'll use proper brake cleaner once the thing is in bits but I was just wandering if alloy wheel cleaner would be good for getting the majority of the grime off, it would make the job so much easier to get the caliper cleaned up before stripping it.
If alloy wheel cleaner will be suitable what type to use? I've got a few different types, acidic , non acidic etc what would be best?

[MacV2]

I'm about to strip and rebuild my callipers what do people use to get the brake dust/grime off the caliper BEFORE taking the caliper apart, I'll use proper brake cleaner once the thing is in bits but I was just wandering if alloy wheel cleaner would be good for getting the majority of the grime off, it would make the job so much easier to get the caliper cleaned up before stripping it.
If alloy wheel cleaner will be suitable what type to use? I've got a few different types, acidic , non acidic etc what would be best?

Hot soapy water...Then strip & clean with brake cleaner & ultrasonic bath if you have one...

[bigtwinthing]

Jif and a toothbrush, then rinse then take apart.

[bigtwinthing]

OR cillet bang, and the dirt is gone ( probably spelt that wrong, it don't look right)

[VTRDark]

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD is wonderful stuff. Can't recommend it enough. Just make sure it's highly diluted and never use neat It's envio friendly too.
http://www.bilthamber.com/car-cleaning- ... /surfex-hd

But if you feeling flush then the better option in this particular application then Bilt Hamber auto-wheel is better. Yet again I can't recommend it enough.
http://www.bilthamber.com/car-cleaning- ... -wheel-113

And a good stiff brush for agitation and plenty of water.

(:-})

[Watty]

mac fluid and a toothbrush, then rinse then take apart.

Christ Paul , really

[kev64]

Just used brake cleaner from start to finish when i did mine

[budd]

Just used brake cleaner from start to finish when i did mine

I also normally use just brake cleaner and then split the caliper more brake cleaner then into the sonic cleaner bath, I was just thinking why not give them a good clean before I even take them off the bike, I use 2 type of professional alloy cleaners, acidic and non acidic (alkaline) from my supplier A-Chem.
http://www.achem.co.uk/shop/product-det ... p?prdID=59
http://www.achem.co.uk/shop/product-det ... p?prdID=58
I'm not sure what effect if any either of these would have on the rubber seals but I'm changing those anyway so it doesn't really matter, I can't see any reason a product designed for use on painted/lacquered/chromed/alloy wheels would cause problems on a painted brake caliper, I'll give it a try later maybe post some before and after pics.