Cleaner for brake pressure bleeder - what to use? Topic is solved

[scot850]

I have bought a pressure brake bleeder. I used it and was going to clean it as I do with any tool after use, and it says to use 'de-natured' alcohol. I have spent 2 hours on the computer trying to get a straight answer as to what the hell that is. There are many, many vague references to what it is but ZERO that are actually clear and helpful.

If you own this type of equipment, can you let me know what you use and ideally a brand?

My biggest concern is not damaging the seals in the tool by using something too aggressive. In the UK we would use Methylated spirits, but for the life of me I can't find a product that clearly states that on the product details.

Camp fuel may be something close, but brands that the likes of Coleman do not state what is in it.

I have had to order some stuff, but like all the place (even Amazon) it takes 2 weeks to get here. Not very useful.

I know that one of the products that is called denatured alcohol is ethanol with chemical additives to stop stupid people drinking it. Heck, if I lived in the US south I'd use 'Red Top' from the local still!

Any help appreciated!

Neil.

[volvolugnut]

Why not use regular fresh brake fluid? The stuff is cheap and available everywhere. I assume you will be doing a kind of flush of the oil brake fluids.
volvolugnut

[scot850]

Sorry, I was not clear. The brake push bleeder system has to be cleaned after use. They expressly say not to leave fluid in it and to clan on completion with de-natured alcohol. This is what I have:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mvp- ... xxIBZTBN-Y

Neil.

[MoVolvos]

I have bought a pressure brake bleeder. I used it and was going to clean it as I do with any tool after use, and it says to use 'de-natured' alcohol. I have spent 2 hours on the computer trying to get a straight answer as to what the hell that is. There are many, many vague references to what it is but ZERO that are actually clear and helpful.

If you own this type of equipment, can you let me know what you use and ideally a brand?

My biggest concern is not damaging the seals in the tool by using something too aggressive. In the UK we would use Methylated spirits, but for the life of me I can't find a product that clearly states that on the product details.

Camp fuel may be something close, but brands that the likes of Coleman do not state what is in it.

I have had to order some stuff, but like all the place (even Amazon) it takes 2 weeks to get here. Not very useful.

I know that one of the products that is called denatured alcohol is ethanol with chemical additives to stop stupid people drinking it. Heck, if I lived in the US south I'd use 'Red Top' from the local still!

Any help appreciated!

Neil.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatured_alcohol

Denatured alcohol, also known as methylated spirits, metho, or meths in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, and as denatured rectified spirit, is ethanol that has additives to make it poisonous, bad-tasting, foul-smelling, or nauseating to discourage its recreational consumption.
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Klean-Strip Quart Denatured Alcohol
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klean-Strip-Qu ... ol/3078771

It use to be the cheapest multipurpose go to product for cleaning but seems to have been overshadowed by other similar products like paint thinner, acetone or paint surface preps. Any of the products dry quick so I doubt there would be long term harm to the seals.
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If in doubt use 99% rubbing alcohol as it evaporates extremely quick. Careful however it is not as forgiving as regular 70% on household paint or potentially other surfaces.

Swan 99% Isopropyl Alcohol 1 gal 1 pk
https://www.acehardware.com/departments ... id/9066085

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[scot850]

I had thought about IPA/rubbing alcohol. I tried it but with brake fluid it leaves a residue and does not remove it completely. I have ordered some denatured alcohol, but for some reason, all of these products take weeks to get here. I will try brake cleaner initially and reclean it when the alcohol eventually gets here.

Thanks for the info, but I had already read all of that. Also we no longer have Lowes up here, and even when we did, they did not carry all the stuff they did in the US. Rona who Lowes bought out, bought them out the other way when Lowes decided like many other US companies their business models don't work here for some reason (Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, now Lowes to name the more recent failures).

Thanks for taking the time to research and reply guys.

Neil.

[DennisCA]

Denatured alcohol is ethanol + additives to make it undrinkable.

I got a pressure bleeder like that, never cleaned it, hmmm...

[scot850]

I think it is mainly to reduce plastic breaking down and the seals cracking. It may be overkill also as a butt covering exercise!

Neil.