Brake Cleaner Good Engine Cleaner?

[pgtr]

Years ago I remember seeing on some cans of aerosol spray automotive brake cleaner - that they also mentioned electric motor cleaner. Brake cleaner spray does evaporate very quickly and leave little if any residue.

Would a modern brake cleaner spray be good when cleaning an electric motors like ours?

[Anonymous]

    I have used the stuff when I do a complete overhaul. gets all the old grease out. use the straw tip tp blow stuff out of crevices. It doesn't hurt any of the inside stuff but I wouldn't use it on any painted or plastic parts. it washes all the lube out so a thorough relube is necessary.

[Dave Farquhar]

Brake cleaner will soften plastics and could damage them long-term. I found that out the hard way one time when I grabbed the wrong can. But yeah, it did a good job of cleaning the metal.

[bfskinner]

pgtr,

There are thoughtful responses both here and on the other forum. I can only add that whatever you decide, you shouldn't use the stuff indoors.

Some formulations may be worse than others.

[phillyreading]

Most sprays are for outdoor use only!!

But stay away from carberator cleaner spray as it eats anything that is not a metal, even paints, gaskets and plastics!!!  Carberator cleaner dunk cans may do the same bad job on any non metal items. Carb cleaners are for cleaning 100% of any item that is steel or aluminum.

Just a word of caution!!

Lee F.

[3railguy]

I go through brake parts cleaner by the case in my work on old cars. It is good stuff but is harmful on plastics. I would hesitate to use it on things like motor armatures with plastic insulators. For cleaning toy train parts, my personal favorites are plastic compatible tuner/motor cleaner such as CRC and mineral spirits (paint thinner).

[Back2Trains]

Do not use brake cleaner on any electrical parts.

[Eriediamond]

I go through brake parts cleaner by the case in my work on old cars. It is good stuff but is harmful on plastics. I would hesitate to use it on things like motor armatures with plastic insulators. For cleaning toy train parts, my personal favorites are plastic compatible tuner/motor cleaner such as CRC and mineral spirits (paint thinner).

I totally agree except I would be hesitant on paint thinner. My fear would be removeing that shellac or lacquer coated wire used in the windings in the motor. Ken

[Jumijo]

 

According to Jim Barrett, mineral spirits will not harm the shellac on armature windings. It's safe to use as a cleaner on post war motors.

[Eriediamond]

 

According to Jim Barrett, mineral spirits will not harm the shellac on armature windings. It's safe to use as a cleaner on post war motors.

Thanks, That's been one of my biggest worries is washing that insulation away. Ken 

[PhilaKnight]

Use caution and read the back some brake cleaners will damage plastic. Some will even discolor painted surfaces. I use electrical contact cleaner. It's sometimes right next to the brake cleaners. Get the one thats safe for sensers. It's not as harsh. Thats what I use. Then I use air in a can to blow any undried solvent out so it don't lay in the motors. Then I wipe it clean with a rag. So far I haven't had any problems. But I only use it on metel trains. Plastic I still use a rag and elbow grease.

[Boonter]

Most auto parts stores that carry brake cleaner also carry a product called "Electra-motive cleaner".  It is advertised as safe for use on electrical devises.  I have used it with good results.  That being said, use caution and read ALL of the instructions and cautions on the can.

[ben10ben]

I'm a big fan of CRC(Chemical Rubber Company-the same people who publish the CRC handbook) QD electronics cleaner.

It's a blend of a variety of low molecular weight organic solvents, however the two main ones are methanol and hexane. 

It's very volatile, and will evaporate within a few seconds if sprayed on a flat surface. It also evaporates leaving no residue.

The only downside is it's highly flammable. You have to make sure it's totally evaporated before applying power. It's volatile enough, though, that this generally only takes a few minutes.