Disposing brake fluid

[SamMan23]

Where are we suppose to dispose of brake fluid? I'm sure that brake shops know. Maybe they just mix it in with motor oil. I don't know. Does anybody really know?

 

[Bill D]

Do away with it during a covert drop off outside your local parts store in the dead of the night

(j/k) Seriously, I'd like to know too

 

[seotaji]

My area has a haz. material drop off site.

Check in your area.

They take old gas, paint, aerosol cans, brake fluid, etc...

 

[jeepzj]

I drop off all my fluids at Pep Boys....well not all

 

[rgl]

I keep the old, opened (but not used) brake fluid because it is an excellent paint remover for plastic parts, especially soft plastic like polystyrene which melts on contact with most other strippers. The warning on the can to keep the fluid from touching the car's paint is not an exaggeration!

 

[Kestas]

The only way I can legally dispose used brake fluid is one Saturday a year when our city holds a hazardous waste drop off day... not always convenient as it usually falls on a nice day when I want to go to the beach.

I burn it at home. I don't mix it with oil since a recycler told me it presents a dangerous situation at the recycling facility to have volatile flammables in the oil.

 

[cousincletus]

How much fluid are we talking about? If you are bleeding the brakes, I just let the fluid fly into the driveway and rinse it away with the garden hose. Brake fluid is water soluble.

 

[Ray H]

Since glycol-based brake fluids are water soluble, the best way of disposing of these products is by dumping them in your disliked neighbor's Jacuzi or swimming pool late at night...

Note to rgl - you're absolutely right about brake fluid's paint stripping properties. I was able to salvage an early 50s Lionel styrene plastic-bodied tender that the previous owner had attempted to "decorate". In pristine condition, these air-whistle tenders fetch over $100.00 at train shows. I purchased my example, with working air-whistle, for $15.00 from a fellow toy train enthusiast and the guy chuckled that he had the better of the deal. 15 minutes with some brake fluid followed with a water rinse restored it to its original condition. The next time he was over he marveled at its condition and asked how I'd done it. I told him it would cost'im $15.00 to find out. (He paid.

)

 

[widman]

If you have weeds growing up through your driveway or sidewalk, a little brake fluid will eliminate them for a year or more. I learned that by mistake when I pulled apart my Bugeye Sprite in the back yard many years ago.