Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > General Topics > The Pub

The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-01-2018, 07:53 PM   #1
au350hp
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,341
Default Brake fluid for detailing?

Anybody with a Windsor 5.0i knows the round black oil cap. They all go grey & faded even though we use some of those trim restorers, nothing worked properly. That is until this example of laziness. I was finishing up bleeding the brakes last week or so, I had some brake fluid on my fingers, so I wiped it on the faded oil cap. It drank it up & turned black! I gave it a little more & it almost looks brand new. Today, still looks good and I went for a 250km drive a few days back. Obviously it is not meant for detailing, but maybe somebody here could enlighten me as to why it is working so well & possible harm if used on stubborn faded trims that haven't responded to all the trim restorers?
au350hp is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 02-01-2018, 09:42 PM   #2
Silver Ghia
Moderator
Donating Member3
 
Silver Ghia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Foothills of the Macedon Ranges
Posts: 18,606
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: As Silver Ghia his contributions to the AU and BA technical areas have been of high quality and valuable to the member base. 
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?

Not good to get brake fluid on your hands when handling these items after treatment. Then touch paint etc, which doesn't like brake fluid at all.

I wouldn't use it on plastics either. Horrible stuff.
Silver Ghia is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
This user likes this post:
Old 02-01-2018, 09:52 PM   #3
simon varley
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,938
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Bringing sanity to the Everest threads. 
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?

depending on the type of brake fluid it may contain polyethelyne glycol which could be helpful as it is also used in skin creams etc. unfortunately brake fluid dilutes this with an awful lot of solvent so probably not good in the long term on plastics and vinyls.
simon varley is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 02-01-2018, 10:01 PM   #4
JC
Miami Pilot
Donating Member2
 
JC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ACT
Posts: 21,704
Tech Writer: Recognition for the technical writers of AFF - Issue reason: Writing tech articles 
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?

Just use mothers back to black
https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/p.../back_to_black
__________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Hammer: FG GTE | 376rwkw | 1/4 mile 11.793 @ 119.75mph 1.733 60' (4408lb)
1 of 60 FG MK1 335 GTEs (1 of 118 FG Mk 1 & 2 335 GTEs).
Mods: Tune, HSD/ShockWorks, black GT335 19” staggered replicas with 245 & 275/35/19 Michelin Pilot sport 5s

Daily: BF2 Fairmont Ghia I6 ZF, machine face GT335 19” staggered Replicas with 245s and 275s, Bilsteins & Kings

FPV 335 build stats: <click here>

Ford Performance Club ACT
JC is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
This user likes this post:
Old 02-01-2018, 10:06 PM   #5
GO FURTHER
Moderator
 
GO FURTHER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 7,940
Tech Writer: Recognition for the technical writers of AFF - Issue reason: Fitting New Iridium Plugs & the state of the old ones - (Photo Essay) 
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?

I believe that brake fluid can make certain types of plastic parts to become brittle, so probably not a good idea in the long run.
GO FURTHER is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 02-01-2018, 10:14 PM   #6
wodahs
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
wodahs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: perth
Posts: 4,355
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?

I tend to agree with all the above statements
__________________
yes still (as money n time permit) doing the

rebuilding the zh fairlane with a clevo 400m 4v heads injected whipple blown with aode 4 speed trans to a 9" ....... we'll get there eventually

just remember don't be afraid to try something new.
Remember, amateurs built the Ark...Professionals built the Titanic!

I have taken up meditation... at least it's better than sitting around doing nothing !!
wodahs is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 03-01-2018, 02:56 PM   #7
Itsme
Experienced Member
 
Itsme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Australasia
Posts: 7,761
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?

Quote:
Originally Posted by GO FURTHER View Post
I believe that brake fluid can make certain types of plastic parts to become brittle, so probably not a good idea in the long run.
Cars these days have plastic brake fluid reservoirs, I don't see brake fluid to be harmful towards rubbers or plastics.
Itsme is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 03-01-2018, 04:12 PM   #8
GO FURTHER
Moderator
 
GO FURTHER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 7,940
Tech Writer: Recognition for the technical writers of AFF - Issue reason: Fitting New Iridium Plugs & the state of the old ones - (Photo Essay) 
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Officemanager View Post
Cars these days have plastic brake fluid reservoirs, I don't see brake fluid to be harmful towards rubbers or plastics.
It depends on the type of plastic used.
(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) ABS plastics get very brittle when exposed to brake fluid.
GO FURTHER is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 03-01-2018, 06:09 PM   #9
pottery beige
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 18,990
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?

have swiped used trans fluid over plasticy bumper bars, mirrors n bits on bunkys

comes up a treat
pottery beige is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
2 users like this post:
Old 03-01-2018, 06:38 PM   #10
au350hp
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,341
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?

I know brake fluid & paint don't mix, and I also realise it is not supposed to be used for any other purpose than what it is designed for. Thanks for all the warnings, although I would never use anything but my CarPro products for detailing. I have tried every trim/plastics restorer on the market & they are all useless on trims with UV/heat damage, except for brake fluid which I repeat, was trialled out of laziness/curiosity. I am not condoning use of brake fluid on trims, I was curious if anybody knew what it was that was conditioning the plastic. I am buying a set of chrome dress up caps for oil & power steering caps & a pair of chrome bonnet struts soon, so no issue.
au350hp is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 04-01-2018, 07:33 AM   #11
Chopped
as in chopped
 
Chopped's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,991
Default Re: Brake fluid for detailing?



__________________
-> Reading this signature was pointless <-
Chopped is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Reply


Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 06:26 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL