TheSamba.com :: View topic - Best cleaner for brake backing plate and spindles??

Sat May 19, 2012 5:11 pm

I went to examine my brake hoses on my 1967 Double Cab and the backing plate and spindles are filthy. Mostly gunked up with oils and Lord know what else. What is the best way to clean this crud up?

I've got some spray on engine degreaser and brake cleaner. However, don't want to use anything that's going to harm anything back there.

Sat May 19, 2012 5:24 pm

For general cleaning, I use either Super Clean or Greased Lightning, both available at Home Depot.

These are for mild to moderate cleaning that I usually use to soften crud before I power wash.

Good Luck.

Sat May 19, 2012 5:28 pm

So you power wash the underside of your car??

Soul Built wrote: For general cleaning, I use either Super Clean or Greased Lightning, both available at Home Depot.

These are for mild to moderate cleaning that I usually use to soften crud before I power wash.

Good Luck.

Sat May 19, 2012 5:30 pm

Oh yeah. I power wash every couple of months at the least. Fender wells, underside, all of that.

Sat May 19, 2012 5:31 pm

Brake clean and degreaser will not harm anything under there
But will probaly take alot you are better off with solvant, a brush and a bucket if its that bad

Sat May 19, 2012 10:29 pm

Brake cleans.....in a well ventilated area, that stuff will separate your brain stem.

gordo.

Mon May 21, 2012 9:14 am

if it is all gunked up into an amorphous blob, get some paint scrapers and scrape down the dirty grease crud, or cruddy greasey dirt. I like to use plastic or wood, it does not scrape the paint.

Then spray liberally with simple green or super clean, and let soak. Simple green is less aggressive, super clean does seem to affect paint slightly IMO.

I like to put down cardboard underneath to catch the gunk.

Then drive to the self serve car wash and wash the undercarriage. If you are doing it right, you will get soggy and dirty. wash that bus where the sun don't shine.
Leave the engine running while wash the engine compartment, avoid hitting the paper air hoses or dist cap.

It is nicer to work on a bus that is clean underneath.