# Interesting article re: brake clean **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [July 28, 2009, 11:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226 "2009-07-28T11:05:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jack/32/7613_2.png) [@Jack](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jack)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 10:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/21 "2009-07-30T10:48:39Z")
That site is taking forever to load… 56k style. I still use it to wash my hands. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 11:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/22 "2009-07-30T11:12:04Z")
Remember, brake clean isn’t really the problem here. It’s brake clean + heat + argon = phosgene. The chemicals in the brake clean aren’t what almost killed him, it’s the phosgene he created by combining brake clean under extreme heat with argon gas. Something we should all keep in mind, especially working on rusty bolts with various oils and heat. I’ve had some pretty nasty smelling smoke when heating Kroil soaked bolts with my mapp gas torch. Reading this makes me look back at some of the things I’ve done and cringe. ---
**Author:** ![Toda\_Party](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/toda_party/32/7354_2.png) [@Toda\_Party](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Toda_Party)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 11:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/23 "2009-07-30T11:24:02Z")
i always thought the noble gasses weren’t reactive…then again temps from welding are wat up there so i guess at that point its somewhat reactive ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 11:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/24 "2009-07-30T11:41:57Z")
> [@Toda Party](#): > > i always thought the noble gasses weren’t reactive…then again temps from welding are wat up there so i guess at that point its somewhat reactive No, you’re right. A quick call to my wife the chemist… > [@SuperNerdWife](#): > > Any chlorine compound + heat + oxygen = phosgene So that makes it even scarier, since the you might even be able to create phosgene with your little propane/mapp torch. The only question is how much heat do you need. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 11:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/25 "2009-07-30T11:49:53Z")
Just don’t buy chlorinated brake cleaner. The non-chlorinated stuff is on the shelf right next to the chlorinated stuff. Works just as well IMO. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 11:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/26 "2009-07-30T11:51:32Z")
> [@Onyx Z32](#): > > Just don’t buy chlorinated brake cleaner Yeah, I know I won’t be anymore. And I’ll be looking a little more closely at the various chemicals I use before adding heat to them. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 12:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/27 "2009-07-30T12:20:03Z")
Hmm. A couple of years ago my hands started rotting every winter. Skin gets all scaly and peels and cracks. I wonder if it has anything to do with washing my hands with brake parts cleaner after doing the brakes on the Mazda every year. Maybe I’ll wear gloves this time. I must not be as manly as Jack. ---
**Author:** ![Toda\_Party](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/toda_party/32/7354_2.png) [@Toda\_Party](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Toda_Party)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/28 "2009-07-30T14:40:32Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > No, you’re right. A quick call to my wife the chemist… > > So that makes it even scarier, since the you might even be able to create phosgene with your little propane/mapp torch. The only question is how much heat do you need. that makes sense what does ur wife do for a living? cool wife 😛 oxygen is a bitch ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/29 "2009-07-30T16:17:29Z")
I absolutely did this. I was using the non-chlorinated stuff to try to start an engine that would not start. Normally you would use solvents to replace the fuel in an engine that is having a fuel issue. I used half a can and the car would want to start then wouldn’t. Finally I looked at the can and read it and on the front it said “non-flammable” the shop now smelled like ass and I had the worst fucking headache I have ever had in my life I was thirsty and dizzy as shit. I read the back of the can and read the same warning and was like oh fuck. Moral of the story here is that this is only a problem with the non-flammable brake cleans. Regular flammable brake clean does not have this problem. Always buy the flammable shit. Also don’t use brake clean to clean aluminum parts, it looks like it is drying as most of it is soaking into the porous walls of the aluminum. As the engine heats up it will leach back into the crank case. A single drop of brake clean can destroy a 55 gallon drum of oil. How I am not sure I forgot what it does after reading the study. The Buell team was wiping out case bearings one year race after race, oil studies showed high levels of brake cleaner components. Use non bleach detergent and hot water to clean aluminum. ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/30 "2009-07-30T16:22:38Z")
I also used to wash my hands with brake cleaner, it soaks into your skin and gets into your blood stream. Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 6:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/31 "2009-07-31T06:39:51Z")
I forwarded that to a bunch of people as a heads-up. :tup: ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 7:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/32 "2009-07-31T07:01:56Z")
> [@Carnut](#): > > I also used to wash my hands with brake cleaner, it soaks into your skin and gets into your blood stream. Awesome. same with paint thinner 😕 ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 7:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/33 "2009-07-31T07:14:04Z")
> [@Carnut](#): > > Also don’t use brake clean to clean aluminum parts, it looks like it is drying as most of it is soaking into the porous walls of the aluminum. As the engine heats up it will leach back into the crank case. A single drop of brake clean can destroy a 55 gallon drum of oil. How I am not sure I forgot what it does after reading the study. > > The Buell team was wiping out case bearings one year race after race, oil studies showed high levels of brake cleaner components. > > Use non bleach detergent and hot water to clean aluminum. > [@newman](#): > > Brake clean is nasty stuff. > > A wise man once told me it only takes 1 drop to ruin 5 quarts of oil. That’s why you shouldn’t clean porous aluminum parts with it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jskrapper](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jskrapper/32/7570_2.png) [@Jskrapper](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jskrapper)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2009, 7:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/34 "2009-07-31T07:54:44Z")
I remember that story Don. After that, you never bought the non flammable stuff again haha. I felt bad because I recommended that brand of brakeclean to you. So in effect, almost indirectly poisoned you. ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/35 "2009-08-02T07:09:20Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > It’s brake clean + heat + argon = phosgene. When I first started welding way back, they told us this at least once every few days, lol. They also said that if you use brake cleaner on a hot rotor/rim, or use the cleaner then drive it, as you drive the remaining cleaner that didn’t evaporate will burn off and turn in to phosgene. ---
**Author:** ![Silver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/silver/32/4953_2.png) [@Silver](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Silver)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 8:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/36 "2009-08-02T08:12:46Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > Pretty crazy. Even crazier the dumbass waited 9 days to go see a Dr. If you read anything to the effect of “if you do survive, long term affects could be…” you’re first action should be go the hospital. ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 11:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/37 "2009-08-02T11:23:07Z")
> [@Jskrapper](#): > > I remember that story Don. After that, you never bought the non flammable stuff again haha. I felt bad because I recommended that brand of brakeclean to you. So in effect, almost indirectly poisoned you. Nah it was my fault for not seeing the giant NON FLAMMABLE message on the front while trying to use it as a flammable substance… lol I was like, OH duh no wonder the car won’t start lol. Then I felt really shitty and read the back of the can… oops. ---
**Author:** ![Studderin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/studderin/32/7197_2.png) [@Studderin](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Studderin)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 11:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/38 "2009-08-02T11:31:53Z")
> [@Carnut](#): > > I also used to wash my hands with brake cleaner, it soaks into your skin and gets into your blood stream. Awesome. me too. +2 awesome ---
**Author:** ![Final\_GTS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/final_gts/32/7359_2.png) [@Final\_GTS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Final_GTS)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/39 "2009-08-02T14:51:06Z")
I Have done this once as well, about 3 years ago. I was tack welding a crank counterweight in place with my TIG, and didn’t even think about the fact that it had been cleaned with that crap a few hours before. The cleaner must have wicked into the space between the mallory and the counterweight, and when I tried to weld it, I got knocked on my ass within about 10 seconds. Spent the next 10 minutes in a daze, heart rate elevated, dizzy, lightheaded, etc. Took about 30 minutes to go back to normal. At the time, I thought i just got a really good breath of argon… but put the pieces together shortly after. ---
**Author:** ![LowlyOilBurner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@LowlyOilBurner](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LowlyOilBurner)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226/40 "2009-08-02T15:08:03Z")
it’s actually the ultraviolet and infared light of the welding arc that turns the stuff into phosgene(sp?, whatever eat a dick) gas. Alot of companies that do alot of aluminum work where the parts have to be super clean prior to welding use a vapor degreaser. The vapor comes from basically boiling trichlorethylene, passing the parts over the vapors, then sending the parts through an aqueous wash to get the residual trichlor off of them. It works awesome, parts weld up great. But if those vapors get out of the vapor machine, and into the shop, game over. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/interesting-article-re-brake-clean/71226.md?page=1)