brake caliper piston cleanup

While the toothbrush and brake fluid (not spray cleaner) works well, it also tends to splatter brake fluid all over everything. A flat shoestring works well also, however, I have been using a couple different methods with very good results you may find interesting.
Take a piece of nylon parachute cord, cut to about 12 inches long, pull the white strands out of the cord, leaving an empty nylon sheath. This will lay flat, and when used like a boy scout ring saw, clean the pistons quite well. Another method is to take a black nylon zip tie, cut off the end so it will lay flat and wrap it around the piston, then turn it back and forth to clean/polish the pistons. The little ridges in the tie allow the dirt to be trapped and its smooth plastic so it will not scratch your piston like scotch bright or steel wool.
The parachute cord (hollow sheath) can be rinsed in soapy water and re-used.
I find Windex with Vinegar, Simple Green, or soapy water works well for cleaning the calipers without damaging near by paint.

Why pop them out further than what it takes to clean exposed area? Normally unexposed area of the pistons will be clean and won't need going over.

I just thought that the hardest place to get the last of the grime out of is right at the intersection of the piston and caliper. Moving the piston out a little further gives you better access to this spot. And,, previous service may not have been as careful as I would have liked. Some people will just jam dirty pistons back in,, or do a minimal cleaning job,,, causing sticky piston movement. I agree,, if can see the shiny band emerge,,, there is no need to expose the piston further. I am going to give the clean-up a shot,, using the mentioned tips,, and if I get brake drag,, will have to pull the caliper off for a full rebuild. Thx,, Cat'

dduelin said:

Why pop them out further than what it takes to clean exposed area? Normally unexposed area of the pistons will be clean and won't need going over.

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