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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Cleaning parts in Royal Purple?

June 14, 2008 7:13 a.m. wreckerboy SuperDork

I've got a set of rather grotty old brake calipers to rebuild. After nearly 20 years of benign neglect they are somewhat less than sparkling. I do not have access to a bead blaster. I recall Per mentioning that soaking stuff in Royal Purple was a good way to clean up parts (in was in an article or posting relating to the SAAB build up, if memory serves). I don't need them to be show quality, just functional. In fact, these will end up pickled on the shelf as spares.

Can anybody verify the effectiveness of that for me?
June 14, 2008 8:18 a.m. Josh Reader

I'm pretty sure you are thinking of Purple Power, the degreaser, and not Royal Purple oil. I suppose you could try soaking your stuff in some Royal Purple 75w90 GL5, but it'd probably get expensive, and stink like hell in your garage :).
June 14, 2008 9:17 a.m. minimac Dork

Just backing up what Josh said. One note though, if you use Simple Green, it can/will react with some metals (aluminum is one).
June 14, 2008 2:30 p.m. wreckerboy SuperDork

Good point and thanks for correction. I am thinking of Purple Power and would have realized my error when I tried to purchase two gallons of the other stuff and nearly had a coronary paying for it.
June 14, 2008 5:08 p.m. GameboyRMH Dork

On the topic of cleaning cruddy stuff, I have some rims with a thick coat of solidified brake dust on them. I got a little part cleaned off by soaking the area with brake cleaner and scraping with a piece of wood. Any suggestions?
June 14, 2008 7:19 p.m. shuttlepilot New Reader

If you are trying to remove rust, try whacking it off with a hammer. I did the rear calipers on my vw that way and it came out decent. Hit the surfaces all over with the hammer and you'll be suprised by how much rust shatters off the thing. Just go easy on the seal and mount areas an you should be okay. You can probably finsh the job with some rust remover at the auto parts store.
June 14, 2008 7:54 p.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

My favorite crud cutter is lacquer thinner. But Purple Power does a pretty good job as well. Certainly not as impressive as lacquer thinner, but not bad.
June 14, 2008 8:12 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

simple green will react with metals?

All I can find is that I should stop cleaning my bike chain with it.. cause it's mostly water. Nothing in Simple Green,except water, will actually damage steel.
June 14, 2008 8:20 p.m. MrJoshua Dork

I know simple green leaves a nasty white residue when used on aluminum.
June 14, 2008 8:21 p.m. MrJoshua Dork

What is in it?
June 14, 2008 10:00 p.m. curtis73 New Reader

If you spray purple power directly to aluminum it will etch it instantly. Make sure you dilute it to recommended strength first and test it on an inconspicuous area. I ruined the finish on a brand new intake that way
June 16, 2008 3:26 p.m. spitfirebill Reader

Purple power is not to be used on aluminum.
June 16, 2008 3:45 p.m. confuZion3 Reader

And don't use certain degreasers (Harbor Freight is one) on Chrome Miata wheels. They turn white.
June 17, 2008 6:59 a.m. wreckerboy SuperDork

confuZion3 wrote: And don't use certain degreasers (Harbor Freight is one) on Chrome Miata wheels. They turn white.

Easy-Off oven cleaner will do the same thing to those rims when you are trying to remove years of baked on brake dust, says the man who is taping said rims today for paint...
June 17, 2008 9:18 a.m. Jack SuperDork

Costco sells a water based degreaser called Oil-eater. It works well and doesn't trash aluminium.

jack
June 17, 2008 1:24 p.m. nderwater New Reader

Awesome is good for taking brake grime off of wheels (spray on and let it soak in for a good 15 min or so) and can be found for a buck at most dollar stores.
June 17, 2008 1:26 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

You can use the Purpleish cleaners on Aluminum, as long as A) you don't leave them in long and B) they aren't polished and shiny....because they won't be afterwards.

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