Finish Line Disc Brake Cleaner

I put Finish Line Bicycle Disc Brake Cleaner on my rotors and pads (following instructions on the bottle).  Now it feels like I sprayed lubricant all over my rotors and pads.  In the past I’ve just used rubbing alcohol to clean up rotors.  This feels immeasurably worse now.  Brakes were running fine before I stupidly decided to “clean everything up”.  

Anyone have this experience with this product or have any ideas why a bicycle-specific cleaner made for pads and rotors would make my brakes feel soooo, soooo terrible?  I have a full ride on them post-cleaning too.  No improvement.

Based on the description on their website you should be fine. 

"Bicycle Disc Brake Cleaner

Finish Line’s Bicycle Disc Brake Cleaner is engineered to rapidly clean disc brake rotors and pads to optimize disc brake performance. Using an acetone-free formula, Bicycle Disc Brake Cleaner decontaminates braking surfaces by flushing out dirt and oil residue, and melting away baked-on brake glaze.

Designed to leave zero residue after application, Finish Line’s Bicycle Disc Brake Cleaner displaces any moisture built up on the pad or rotor, resulting in improved and predictable braking, and reduced brake squeal. With the unique characteristic of being acetone free, Finish Line’s Bicycle Disc Brake Cleaner is strong enough to clean the dirtiest rotors, yet safe enough to use around paint, carbon fiber and plastic parts"

Posted by: syncro

resulting in improved and predictable braking

Sounds like the product is about 50% effective? They are predictablely shitty now, no?

Have you tried just spraying it all down  with water or cleaning with alcohol? That really sucks.

Product label is full of bold claims about improving braking performance. I tried the product and it feels like I sprayed oil all over my rotors and pads. I can’t even lock up my brakes. I don’t get it. It’s like the product does the exact opposite of what it is designed for???

I’m going to try one more application and then hit everything with alcohol and maybe sandpaper if it doesn’t get better.

Do you have any automotive brake cleaner? You could try that and see if it cleans up the cleaner.

Torch the rotors and pads, if metal. If the pads are resin ask yourself why.

Posted by: syncro

Do you have any automotive brake cleaner? You could try that and see if it cleans up the cleaner.

Lol might have to try that!

Posted by: mrbrett

Torch the rotors and pads, if metal. If the pads are resin ask yourself why.

Magura “race” pads, which were excellent before applying this finish line stuff.  I might be wrong but I think they’re organic.

Posted by: mrbrett

Torch the rotors and pads, if metal. If the pads are resin ask yourself why.

LOL. Beer in nostrils 😂😂

2nd application made things no better.  Avoid this product like the plague.  It may have wrecked 2 good sets good of pads.  Giving it the alcohol and sandpaper treatment now.  Hope that saves the pads and rotors.  So frustrating.

Could be the perfect birthday gift for someone you don't like.

Posted by: syncro

Could be the perfect birthday gift for someone you don't like.

Hahaha.  I’ll give it to the same person I give the gift of a secret pebble in the handlebar or crank a couple degrees off to!

Posted by: FLATCH

Posted by: mrbrett

Torch the rotors and pads, if metal. If the pads are resin ask yourself why.

LOL. Beer in nostrils 😂😂

Lol same here. That one won the bike internet today.

I would try sanding the pads at this point

usually i sand brake pads and /or clean with alcohol

i don't think i have ever used brake clean