New Finish Line Disc Brake Cleaner will keep your rotors and pads clean

Written by Zach Overholt Feb 26, 2019 1:30 p.m. ET

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For the longest time, Finish Line’s Speed Clean has had a permanent placement on my work bench. Along with cleaning brake rotors, there’s just so many uses. But now, there’s a new kid on the block – Finish Line Disc Brake Cleaner

Calling it an acetone free brake cleaner that is designed to decontaminate metal, Disc Brake Cleaner is said to evaporate and leave zero residue. While similar to Speed Clean, the Disc Brake Cleaner lacks the Turbo Sprayer and uses less propellant, so it should result in a more efficient way of cleaning your brakes – apparently a little goes a long way. Finish Line also says it’s safe to use on the pads themselves, and is designed to decontaminate brake parts leading to quieter performance.

Compliant with California chemical regulations, the Brake Cleaner will sell for $8.99 in a 10oz aerosol can. Available soon.

finishlineusa.com

Zach Overholt

5,586 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Ric Liang

4 years ago

Seriously, is this stuff any better than just using Isopropyl alcohol?

Gillis

4 years ago

Reply to Ric Liang

This. It’s about 2x the price of isopropyl alcohol. Which means it’s likely isopropyl alcohol mixed with some pixie dust. The extra price covers extra packaging and marketing.

Robin

4 years ago

Reply to Gillis

What’s interesting is that if you actually look at the picture, it mentions heptane, which is something that is exactly not isopropyl alcohol. I guess that means that isn’t so likely, after all, that it’s “isopropyl alcohol with pixie dust.”

wako29

4 years ago

Reply to Robin

heptane is seriously nasty stuff and should NOT be used indoors (so any bike shop). Stick with what SRAM and Shimano specifically recommend to clean brakes and brake parts: Isopropyl alcohol.

wimmy

4 years ago

Just use isopropyl alcohol, and if you want to get fancy, mix it 50/50 with some water to help carry away dirt – spray can brake cleaners typically tend to have propellants and things in them that can cause damage and deterioration to rubber seals and components in your brake calipers.

Velo Kitty

4 years ago

SDS’s are your friend, but it looks like the SDS isn’t available for it yet.

Isopropanol 93% from the Walmart health section is a good choice.
$2

CRC Brakleen Brake Parts Cleaner
Tetrachloroethylene 90 – 100%
Carbon dioxide 1 – 5%
$4

I would avoid the Walmart Super Tech because of the Toluene.

Walmart Super Tech Non Chlorinated Brake Cleaner
Acetone 30 – 50%
Toluene 10 – 30%
Methanol 10 – 30%
Carbon dioxide 5 – 10%
$2

Definitely use outside with gloves.

Timmy W McCormick

4 years ago

Reply to Velo Kitty

I would avoid Tetrachloroethylene based cleaners. Considered a likely carcinogen (cancer causing), probable can cause Parkinson’s, plus a soil and ground water contaminate.

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

Velo Kitty

4 years ago

p.s. As well as being cheaper, methyl, ethyl, and propyl alcohols are generally going to be much safer to use around plastics than the solvents in brake cleaners.

Patrick Choi

4 years ago

Automotive brake cleaners work just as well and they’re really cheap. Picked up a spray canister for $4 and got rid of oil contamination. Only had to use it once. Probably last me a few years.

Note that after using these brake cleaners on the rotor you will need to do bed-in again.