Brake Fluid removal

[Gerald C.]

Unfortunately, I spilled some brake fluid down my firewall and can't seem to get it completely clean. I've tried Gunk, Simple Green.... and when I think I've gotten everything and I repaint the firewall, the paint starts to peel again!

The engine is out, so I've got pleanty of room to do a proper clean-up.

Any helpful ideas? I've searched the archives and didn't find anything under brake fluid removal.

Thanks

Jerry

[Larry M.]

Re: Brake Fluid removal

Unfortunately, I spilled some brake fluid down my firewall and can't seem to get it completely clean. I've tried Gunk, Simple Green.... and when I think I've gotten everything and I repaint the firewall, the paint starts to peel again!

The engine is out, so I've got pleanty of room to do a proper clean-up.

Any helpful ideas? I've searched the archives and didn't find anything under brake fluid removal.

Thanks

Jerry

Jerry:

Is it DOT 3 (glycol based) or DOT 5 (silicone based) fluid ?? This will make a difference.

Larry

[Peter M.]

Re: Brake Fluid removal

Assuming its DOT 3, or DOT 4 (glycol based), use denatured alcohol to thoroughly remove the spilled brake fluid.

[Duke W.]

Re: Brake Fluid removal

DOT 3 or 4 is water soluble, so soap and water should remove it, but it can mar paint, so that might be the problem.

I don't know what will dissolve DOT 5.

Duke

[Gerald C.]

Re: Brake Fluid removal

It's DOT 3, glycol based, so I'll try the denatured alcohol or the soap and water.

Thanks

[Edward J.]

Re: Brake Fluid removal

Jerry, I don't know if your having a reaction from two different types of paint, sometimes lacquer over enamel will cause the paint to lift. I have had this happen to me. Dot 3 brake fluid breaks down with soap and water generally.


Hows the 67 doing? Is the engine back in?

[Gerald C.]

Re: Brake Fluid removal

Ed,

Two things:

1. I'm using the John Deere paint for my firewall. It's held up in the rest of the engine compartment, so I thinks it is the brake fluid.
2. The M/C is leaking from behind and I'm afraid I need to take it out and have it rebuilt. I don't know what haapened because I didn't disturb it in the first place. May be bad timing for the seals to go!

Thanks

Jerry

[Edward J.]

Re: Brake Fluid removal

Jerry, sometimes cured paint and the re-apply of the same paint will cause a problem you'll have to read the can directions. maybe a note on it somewhere.

[Tom N.]

Re: Brake Fluid removal

One of the BEST primer from a can is Krylon Ruddy Brown primer, try first applying
a light to medium coat first, if it lifts the paint. Stop and I would clean it with a acetone
or lacquer thinner. Start from square one, no easy way when comes to painting.

[Gary S.]

Re: Brake Fluid removal

Might want to also try a self-etching primer after your efforts to clean up the firewall. Sems, Rustoleum to name a few I have used.