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Tried using brake cleaner on a seized bolt and it actually worked better than PB blaster
I was fighting with this lower control arm bolt on a 2012 F-150 yesterday, soaked it in PB for like 20 mins, nothing. Got frustrated and grabbed the brake cleaner can by accident, sprayed it on there. Heard it sizzle and the bolt came loose with just my ratchet. Something about the acetone in it dissolves gunk way faster for dry seized stuff. Has anyone else found weird uses for brake cleaner like that?
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the_rose1mo ago
Oh man, brake cleaner is the secret weapon for so many things it wasn't meant for. I found out by accident too, was trying to get some old, baked-on carbon off a throttle body and the brake cleaner just melted it off like nothing. Now I keep a can in my kitchen for getting sticky residue off jars and pans. Also works great for cleaning the gunk off chainsaw bars and lawn mower blades, better than any dedicated degreaser I've tried. That acetone really does a number on anything that's dried and crusty, plus it evaporates fast so you're not left with a wet mess. Only downside is you gotta be careful around plastic and painted surfaces, it'll eat right through them if you aren't quick.
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richard_shah1mo ago
Why would you want to risk using brake cleaner on something you eat off of like jars and pans? That acetone leaves a residue that can stick around even after washing, and I'd rather not have that near my food, especially since a hot pan could release the fumes. Isn't that just asking for a chemical taste or worse, isn't there a safer cleaner that does the same job?
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