Cleaning alum rad w/ brake cleaner bad?
 

This is kind of an extension of another recent thread. I'm trying to clean the dirt and monkey snot out of my aluminum rad (and oil cooler while I'm at it.) One Forum member recommended some stuff that's used to clean a/c units and the like. Sounds like really nasty, volatile stuff.

B4 I risk using it, I was wondering if something simpler would do a good job. Would using brake cleaner a) do a good job and b) not destroy the rad? I'm worried that there may be seals or connections or whatever that I can't see/am not aware of that the brake cleaner will eat or damage.

I'd rather spend $10 on the brake cleaner than spend whatever amount on the a/c stuff and then have to dress up like one of the lab techs in E.T. just to use it.

ba-dump

ttt



Use brake cleaner...it'll work fine.

I always prefer to use the proper tool for the job.
I don't use condenser cleaners to clean my brakesand I dont use brake cleaner to clean heat exchangers. It's not any worse chemocally than brake or carb cleaner. Its formulated to do the jod right. I suggested those safety precautions as I would with any chemical. It is no fun going to the ER at 2:00AM with PB Blaster in your eyes. PH=3.6 for my eyes. BAD SHIT!!

Here is the cleaner, click on the link for the MSDS sheet.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/pro...mId=1611703653

Here is brake cleaner:
Either trichlorethane or Perchloroethane, or methylene chloride

ALL of them are nasty, we just kindof take brake cleaner for granted, but it is nasty shit!!!!

Thanx. It was clear that the cleaner you recommended was spot-on for the job. But I was still curious about whether or not brake cleaner would be damaging. And it seemed unlikely that that specific question would see much traffic if it stayed at the bottom of that thread. So I threw it out by itself. :)

I scrubbed my spare front alum calipers down w/ brake cleaner and it really oxidized/ darkened the aluminum to a darker grey patina. I would not use this on a heat exhanger where you want as close to bare metal (not oxide) to air interchange as possible.

There is something to be said for using the right tool/cleaner for the job, but I used an aluminum wheel cleaner to clean my oil cooler and radiator outsides since I knew it was mild and would reduce/rinse off w/ water. Both look shiny a year later!

I've been using Eagle One's A2Z on my rims. Hmm... It should be MUCH stronger than the Nu Scrub crap - the A2Z is nearly lethal in enclosed spaces. :)