Let’s quickly look at brake cleaner vs. carb cleaner to help you decide which one is better for you.
Is brake cleaner and carburetor cleaner the same? No. Carburetor cleaner is used to clean carburetors, whereas brake cleaner is used to clean brakes.
For more specific information, keep reading.
What is Brake Cleaner?
It’s critical to clean brake components with a suitable brake cleaner because brake components require an entirely oil-free surface. PJ1 Brake Cleaner is a professional formula with a high-pressure spray that will perfectly clean your brake components, leaving them completely oil-free and ready for maximum braking power. Be cautious as this cleaner is very potent and should only be used on non-painted metal parts as it can damage rubber, plastics, painted surfaces, or electrical components.
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What is Carburetor Cleaner?
Carburetor cleaner is a petroleum or oil-based cleaning solution designed to rid your vehicle’s carburetor of sludge, gunk, and varnish without damaging its gaskets or other delicate parts.
Carburetor cleaner is usually sold as a spray-on aerosol containing the following ingredients: acetone, methanol, ethyl benzene, toluene, and carbon dioxide—all of which help break down the varnish deposits that accumulate within the carburetor.
Of course, keeping your carburetor clean isn’t something you need to worry about if you own a vehicle built after 1995, as the carburetor itself was phased out during the early 1990s in favor of the fuel-injection system all modern automobiles now use.
Brake Cleaner Vs. Carb Cleaner: What’s the Difference?
| Brake cleaners are made especially to clean your brake shoes, brake drums, and brake pads. | Carburetor and throttle body cleaning is the primary purpose of carb cleaners. |
| If you’re wearing gloves while using brake cleaner, it works just fine. | Carburetor cleaners, however, will quickly turn the process into goo. |
| The surface of the component being cleaned will be clean and dry after using the brake cleaner, which is designed to remove dirt, debris, and oily fluids. | On the other hand, carburetor cleaners are designed to remove dirt, debris, and carbons that have been brake-hardened and may have left some oil over the course of the day. |
| It’s not good for seals or gaskets when cleaned components are left dry and clean. | Carb cleaners leave your cleaned components with little oil, which will expand the lifespan of your seals and gaskets |
| Neoprene, vinyl, rubber, seals, and gaskets are not safe to use with brake cleaners. | Neoprene, vinyl, rubber, seals, and gaskets found on car components can all be safely cleaned with carb cleaner. |
Can You Substitute Carb Cleaner for Brake Cleaner?
No, you cannot—carb cleaner should never be used interchangeably with brake cleaner because there is no guarantee that it doesn’t contain oil and won’t leave behind residue. If oily residue gets on your brake pads, it can lead to “brake grabbing,”. This is when the pads improperly latch onto the brake rotors, impeding your vehicle’s ability to stop.
Should You Use Carb Cleaner Or Brake Cleaner?
Generally speaking, you should only ever use carb cleaner to clean your carburetor (if your vehicle has one), whereas you can use brake cleaner to clean your brakes and many other mechanical components. Of course, that’s not to say that you couldn’t use carb cleaner to clean other parts, but there’s no reason to when brake cleaner and other specialized cleaners exist.
That said, there are a few instances where you shouldn’t use brake cleaner as a multi-purpose cleaning agent, including:
- When the surface is going to be welded or otherwise exposed to very high temperatures—the extreme heat can cause the chemicals in (non-chlorinated) brake cleaner to burn, making them even more toxic
- When cleaning rubber, plastic, or painted surfaces—some of the harsh chemicals in brake cleaner can damage these materials
In either of these cases, you’d be better off using a non-toxic or weaker cleaning agent to eliminate any lingering dirt or grime.
FAQs
Can I Use Brake Cleaner to Clean My Engine?
In the garage, you can use brake cleaner to remove grease or oil stains and to clean up brake and clutch components. Brake cleaner can also be used in the garage as an all-purpose engine degreaser or car parts cleaner.
Can You Use WD 40 as Carburetor Cleaner?
On the other hand, WD-40 is safe for your device and allows you to clean the carburettor, throttle body, as well as unpainted metal parts of the machine. Every effort is made to ensure that your carburetor is clean thanks to the liquid’s dual-action cleaning system.
Can You Use Carburetor Cleaner as Brake Cleaner?
In short, they are not. Wearing nitrile gloves while cleaning will allow you to use brake cleaner without any issues, but using carburetor cleaner will cause them to quickly turn into goo. In contrast to carburetor cleaner, brake cleaner is used to clean brakes.
Is It OK to Spray Brake Cleaner in Spark Plug Hole?
A brake cleaner can clean many car parts — including spark plugs. Spray the brake cleaner on the plug, including threads and spark plug holes. Then, to get rid of any leftover gunk, wipe it off with a clean cloth. In order to get rid of tenacious dirt, you can if necessary combine the brake cleaner and wire brush.
Summary: Brake Cleaner Vs Carburetor Cleaner
This is it. I have referenced most of the essential information about brake cleaners vs carb cleaners. Whatever the splash on your use, just be sure to heed the warnings and instructions. Try not to lean toward easy routes and avoid creating any damage. As your life is in your hands when using these solvents, I also advise wearing gloves. Enjoy your cleaning while remaining safe, and use the right cleaner.
