Brake cleaner: ball or aerosol?

[donkmeister]

Sorry for the NTNOCN reference, couldn't resist...

I've only ever seen brake cleaner in aerosol cans. But, as I'm replenishing some stock in the workshop I noticed that you can buy 5l jugs of the stuff now. Presumably you put it into a pump up sprayer or one of those cans you recharge from the compressor.

Has anyone switched from aerosol cans, and if so do you prefer it in the air-fed format?

[E-bmw]

Never come across "air fed" personally, but have used the Wurth type (with the built in hand pump) and it works out lots cheaper & there is less waste (cans etc)

[Regbuser]

This is the stuff > https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256444604412?

[TwinKam]

Arm pits!
I've never had any luck with the pump-up dispensers, the seals don't seem to last, and neither they nor the rechargeable 'aerosol' type devices have the 'punch' of a true aerosol.

[Megaflow]

I buy it in 5L containers and I have got a pump up sprayer, I went through a lot of cheap ones before I invested in a proper industrial one. I go through so much of it though I reckon I drink it in my sleep…

[E-bmw]

TwinKam said:

Arm pits!
I've never had any luck with the pump-up dispensers, the seals don't seem to last, and neither they nor the rechargeable 'aerosol' type devices have the 'punch' of a true aerosol.

I have been on the same one for well over 10 years now, admitted the aerosols have more power, but not enough more to make me want to go back.

[donkmeister]

TwinKam said:

Arm pits!

This man gets it

I've seen some good reviews on YT of these:

https://amzn.eu/d/7ho7XUH

The trick for brake cleaner is to remove the removable pin in the nozzle. There's a slimmer type of can with a swivelling metal tube for directing the spray which looks like it would be more convenient, but everyone I've seen reviewing it finds that dribbles and doesn't stop the flow immediately after releasing the trigger.

I'll give it a think (£72 for a pair of cans seems worse than £36 for one) and if I take the plunge will report back.

[donkmeister]

E-bmw said:

Never come across "air fed" personally, but have used the Wurth type (with the built in hand pump) and it works out lots cheaper & there is less waste (cans etc)

That was an option too - how do you find the chunky sprayer when using it in anger? My concern with that (and the ones I linked to) is that it's just a bit too big to get into spaces. Ideal for washing down discs before fitting but not so good for cleaning up around the back of the caliper bracket.

[vw_99]

Comma and sealey have pump bottles for use with brake cleaner. They have differant seals that dont just melt.

[E-bmw]

donkmeister said:

E-bmw said:

Never come across "air fed" personally, but have used the Wurth type (with the built in hand pump) and it works out lots cheaper & there is less waste (cans etc)

That was an option too - how do you find the chunky sprayer when using it in anger? My concern with that (and the ones I linked to) is that it's just a bit too big to get into spaces. Ideal for washing down discs before fitting but not so good for cleaning up around the back of the caliper bracket.

I haven't found any issues with access TBH, the cans are narrower, but the "sprayers" are shorter.

After several pumps it sprays just fine.