What does brake fluid do to aluminum?

Charles in SC · January 30, 2015, 08:24:22 PM

In a thread down the page someone mentioned putting brake fluid on anodized aluminum. Does this clean it or something? Anodizing is very thin as I understand it.

bevans6 · January 31, 2015, 03:27:36 AM

Brake fluid doesn't do anything much at all to anodized or non-anodized aluminium. Brake master cylinders are now almost universally aluminium with anodized bores. The earlier mention was, I thought, in reference to polishing stainless steel. Someone mentioned polishing anodized stainless steel. I think that was a mis-speak, while it's technically possible to anodize stainless steel it's almost never done, it's a somewhat fragile coating that is only a kind of colorant, and is completely different to anodizing aluminium.

Brian

OneLapper · January 31, 2015, 05:50:40 AM

That was my comment.

I don't remember who told me this but what I have been doing for years on my (and other) 4106s is use brake fluid to shine up the anodized aluminum panels. It lasts about a week if it doesn't rain. Don't use it on painted surfaces. Don't get it on rubber hinges.

I've seen no ill effects by doing this. I'll do this prior to taking it camping. On my bus with worn out anodizing it makes it look like a beautiful bus for a few days!

EDIT: Do NOT use this on polished SS or aluminum. Do NOT use it on painted surfaces. Do NOT use it on any rubber parts.

I have some before and after pictures somewhere. I'll add them if I find them.

bevans6 · January 31, 2015, 07:29:46 AM

Onelapper, I would stop doing that if I were you. Brake fluid is highly toxic, both by ingestion and through the skin. I treat it as a dangerous chemical.

Brian

Snip from an OHSA sheet on DOT 3 brake fluid.

Hazard Classification:
OSHA Hazards: Target Organ Effect, Harmful by ingestion, Irritant, Teratogen, Reproductive
hazard
Target Organs: Kidney, Liver, Central nervous system, Female reproductive system, Male
reproductive system, Blood.

GHS Classification:
Acute toxicity, dermal (Category 5)
Acute toxicity, oral (Category 4)
Skin Irritation (Category 3)
Serious eye damage (Category 1)
Reproductive toxicity (Category 2)
Signal Word: DANGER
Hazard Statements:
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H313 May be harmful in contact with skin
H316 Causes mild skin irritation
H318 Causes serious eye damage
H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
Precautionary Statements:
P264 Wash thoroughly after handling.
P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P280 Wear eye protection / face protection.
P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
P202 Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and
understood
P281 Use personal protective equipment as required.
P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P301 + P312 IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor / physician if
you feel unwell.
P330 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth
P312 IF ON SKIN: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor / physician if you
feel unwell
P332 + P313 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice / attention.
P310 IF IN EYES: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor /
physician.
P308 + P313 If exposed or concerned: Get medical advice / attention.

OneLapper · January 31, 2015, 06:04:29 PM

yikes

Charles in SC · January 31, 2015, 06:23:02 PM

Wow, I am glad I did not know that in the past, I never would have finished rebuilding those last wheel cylinders.

johns4104 · January 31, 2015, 07:53:29 PM

I hear that wd40 works on anodized aluminum.
Has anyone tried it?

bevans6 · February 01, 2015, 04:10:57 AM

WD-40 is mostly stoddard solvent and mineral spirit lubricants. I find it too oily but it is great for removing road tar, bugs, like that. I've long used in on headers to prevent rust (burns off quick when you start up, leaves a blackish finish after a while kind of like seasoning a frying pan). I use the detailing spray you can get at the auto store for almost everything, it cleans, leaves little or no residue, leaves a shine and smells nice like cinnamon.

Brian

Dave5Cs · February 01, 2015, 10:00:54 AM

Brian your Bus smells nice like Cinnamon but your breaksfast bacon tastes like WD40?

Dave

gus · February 01, 2015, 05:57:54 PM

Quote from: bevans6 on January 31, 2015, 07:29:46 AM
Onelapper, I would stop doing that if I were you. Brake fluid is highly toxic, both by ingestion and through the skin. I treat it as a dangerous chemical.

Brian

Snip from an OHSA sheet on DOT 3 brake fluid.

Hazard Classification:
OSHA Hazards: Target Organ Effect, Harmful by ingestion, Irritant, Teratogen, Reproductive
hazard
Target Organs: Kidney, Liver, Central nervous system, Female reproductive system, Male
reproductive system, Blood.

GHS Classification:
Acute toxicity, dermal (Category 5)
Acute toxicity, oral (Category 4)
Skin Irritation (Category 3)
Serious eye damage (Category 1)
Reproductive toxicity (Category 2)
Signal Word: DANGER
Hazard Statements:
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H313 May be harmful in contact with skin
H316 Causes mild skin irritation
H318 Causes serious eye damage
H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
Precautionary Statements:
P264 Wash thoroughly after handling.
P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P280 Wear eye protection / face protection.
P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
P202 Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and
understood
P281 Use personal protective equipment as required.
P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P301 + P312 IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor / physician if
you feel unwell.
P330 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth
P312 IF ON SKIN: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor / physician if you
feel unwell
P332 + P313 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice / attention.
P310 IF IN EYES: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor /
physician.
P308 + P313 If exposed or concerned: Get medical advice / attention.

It also removes paint.

TedCalvert · February 05, 2015, 07:16:53 PM

There's a bike cleaner, I think it's called Original Bike Spirits.
Removes the usual road crud, on paint or chrome or aluminum.
Don't get on leather. Haven't used on bus yet.
I'll verify name tomorrow, if anybody wants.

Ted.

OneLapper · February 05, 2015, 08:11:28 PM

I'd be interested in the results. Thanks

TedCalvert · February 06, 2015, 04:30:35 PM

It worked well on the bike, same materials on bus, should work.
I'll let you know in the spring.

chessie4905 · February 06, 2015, 05:04:19 PM

Nevr Dull works great for a short time till a few rains remove it. Silver can with wadding. Have seen it at Walmart and several auto stores. Unfortunately, you can't eat it either. There has been ads on tv for something similar in a bottle or can that you wipe on a vehicle surface and lasts for a year. Don't recall the name though