I just learned a hard lesson about brake cleaner today that I think I should share with anyone that is new to working on cars.

So today I was checking out my drum brakes because they were making a squealing sound yesterday. I opened the drum brakes, sprayed them with brake cleaner fluid & watched as the brake clean fluid dripped to the ground below the drums..and the fluid dried up in less then 30 seconds(which is normal).
So I'm sitting there ON THE GROUND right in front of my drums trying to problem solve..and all of a sudden I feel a hot feeling on my leg & my butt.
Today the high was 104 around my way but I felt the ground with my hand & the ground was warm...I got up on my feet & there was still hot feeling on my butt & leg..and it kept getting HOTTER & HOTTER..then I felt BURNING..I said "What the hell?".
I felt my butt with my hand... and didn't feel any hotness on my hand..Then I looked at where I sat at...It was the same spot where the brake fluid dripped off & DRIED.

So that's my story..but the reason for this story is to warn that all because it's for brakes & dries up pretty quick..don't mean it won't have an effect on your skin afterwards.

P.S: I know..I should have read the can..but they don't say about any warnings AFTER it dries.

 

Carb cleaner is the same way. I won't tell you about the time I was flushing a rototiller carb while squatted down in similarly hot conditions and the port back-squirted the carb cleaner up my shorts dangerously close to my 'boys'. The inner thigh was sensitive enough, I can't imagine the *******! That is a reason that I always wear safety glasses though, seriously I can't imagine a shot in the eye...

Ed Fisher
Dallas, Tx

 

I've had a shot of brake cleaner in the eye (I was working in a cramped, dark area, sans safety glasses). Plus I wear contact lenses.

I now wear safety glasses for almost any spray bomb or squirt bottle.

And yes, that stuff burns like crazy in the eye... flushed it out with water for 10 minutes, had a smoke, and went back to work (vision not damaged in any way - thank goodness!)

 

lol, silver, just walk it off

 

I have had break cleaner in my eyes a bunck of times. It burns like crazy. But i hate wearing safety glasses since i have to wear them all day everyday at work. But i guess i need to start wearing them since you cant just replace your eyes. Wear your safety Glasses Kids.