Is it safe to use Iron Remover directly on Brake Calipers?

[starlights]

I am researching painting my brake calipers, and looking at how to properly clean them. Aside from using degreaser, is it recommended to use iron remover on brake calipers or will it cause more harm than good?

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by starlights

I am researching painting my brake calipers, and looking at how to properly clean them. Aside from using degreaser, is it recommended to use iron remover on brake calipers or will it cause more harm than good?

Calipers are painted (with high temp resistant paint) and clear-coated, so you would maintain them as any other painted surface on your car.

Most consumer-grade iron removers are perfectly safe on paint, as long as you don't let it dry and bake in. My calipers certainly get a dose of iron remover (and all other cleaning products) when I wash the wheels.

Having said that, I may have thoroughly washed the calipers 1 time in the 11 years of F80 ownership while the wheels were off. You can't really get good access to them with the wheels on the car.

HTH,
a

[Mech Spec]

Carpro IronX is highly useful on brake dust, which is what is all over your brakes.

just make sure you rinse it good when you're done, its plenty safe on the high durability caliper paint.

[starlights]

Thanks both for your prompt responses above! Anything to look out for such as not letting it seep between rotors and pads, or is that a non issue as long as I rinse thoroughly without letting it dry off...

[Mech Spec]

Originally Posted by starlights

Thanks both for your prompt responses above! Anything to look out for such as not letting it seep between rotors and pads, or is that a non issue as long as I rinse thoroughly without letting it dry off...

any effect on the pads would be surface level, and like the rotors would be removed on a braking event.

Just get some good amount of water flow on the rinse, high pressure not needed, high volume will do it.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by starlights

Anything to look out for such as not letting it seep between rotors and pads, or is that a non issue as long as I rinse thoroughly without letting it dry off...

Non-issue.
Any water on the rotors will do what water does to metal from any source: rain, car wash, moisture condensation from ambient temp changes. Exposed metal surfaces will start rusting. And then the surface rust will get scrubbed off first time you use the brakes. No big deal.

You are over-worrying about this - just wash the wheels + calipers the same way you wash your car. Probably even less thoroughly, since no-one really looks at them too closely.

a

[starlights]

Awesome! Thank you both, again

[lat41]

Would like to clean center hub and rotors. The "dust" or grime adheres to the metal and no product I have tried will get it off. Some kind of polish tool on end of a drill, perhaps? Iron stuff is minimally effective.

[starlights]

Originally Posted by lat41

Would like to clean center hub and rotors. The "dust" or grime adheres to the metal and no product I have tried will get it off. Some kind of polish tool on end of a drill, perhaps? Iron stuff is minimally effective.

Perhaps you could carefully (with light pressure) try these metal brushes on your drill? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DJNJY7BM

[Mech Spec]

Id probably try a few different penetrating sprays cleaners and a scotch Brite pad before I went to power tools. Less likely to affect the surface finish if you care.

If you just want it cleaned off then sure go power.

[Bingham]

Maybe give Sonax a try…works really well IMO.

[cobrar97]

When it comes to the RUST that form on the rotors after a wash (the same rust that then gets all over your clean wheels upon the first brake-action)...give this stuff a try. This product will keep the rust from forming on the rotors after your wash.

I know this isn't the question that was presented by the OP...but since you're talking brakes, washing, rust, etc...this product does help with that dreaded rust-cloud from the first braking after a wash.

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/produ...bSKdNahLy7COyy