Brake Cleaner Safe for Aluminum Parts?

[Jaykim81]

Hello,
I didn't want to threadjack the other brake cleaner thread so here goes my question...

Is it safe to use brake parts cleaner (chlorinated and non-chlorinated) for aluminum parts such as cylinder heads and blocks? I would use it just for cleaning mating surfaces of the intake manifold since it gets covered in oil due to the PCV system.

I've been reading up on solvents and have noticed that aluminum is a very reactive metal. I used it before and noticed that a white residue will form when the solvent evaporates off of the part. Will this damage any of the parts? Thanks in advance.

Jay

 

[labman]

Remember, some brake parts are aluminum. None of the hydrocarbons or chlorinated hydrocarbons should bother it. Just keep the acids and caustics away from it.

 

[tom slick]

I have never had an issue with brake cleaner and aluminum.

 

[Jaykim81]

Thanks for your responses. I just wanted to make sure before I went ahead and sprayed everything down.

Jay

 

[smthrj53]

The cleaner should be fine for the aluminum, but it may take the clear protective coat off if you get it on wheels or any other decorative parts.

 

[bdcardinal]

when i worked at a shop that specialised in ford 4.6 and 5.4 motors, we cleaned everything with brake cleaner, and they have aluminum heads and blocks(dealt mostly with cobras). also when i worked for a ford dealer we used it to clean all the gasket surfaces on aluminum parts, so taht tells you something. just have a clean rag handy and wipe it off, wont harm anything.