Choosing a spray bottle for brake cleaner and degreaser

Buying brake cleaner or degreaser in bulk and spraying it from a refillable pump bottle cuts down on aerosol cans. It only works if the bottle is made for the job. Put brake cleaner in an ordinary spray bottle and the seals soon swell and leak, and the bottle stops holding pressure.

This guide covers what to look for so your sprayer lasts.

Why ordinary spray bottles fail

Most brake cleaners and solvent based degreasers are petroleum solvents. Caustic or water based degreasers are a different family, so check our chemical guide. If your brake cleaner's safety data sheet lists acetone, check with us before use. Every pump sprayer has rubber seals and O rings in the pump, valve and trigger. Standard seals aren't made for solvents. They soften, swell and lose their shape. The result is a weeping trigger, a pump that won't build pressure, or a nozzle that dribbles.

The fix is simple: use a sprayer with solvent resistant seals.

What to look for

1. VITON or FKM seals. These are the seal materials built for petroleum solvents. They suit brake cleaner, degreaser, diesel, kerosene, turps, tyre shine and similar workshop liquids. A sprayer sold for solvents should say which seals it uses. If it doesn't, ask.

2. The right size. A 1.0 L pump sprayer is the workshop favourite. It's small enough for one hand and easy to get into wheel arches and engine bays. A 1.5 L model means fewer refills on bigger jobs.

3. Tougher seals for harsher solvents. Some workshop solvents are more aggressive than standard brake cleaner. For those, choose a model with heavier duty FKM seals, such as FKM80.

4. Nozzle choice. A cone nozzle covers brake parts quickly. A fan nozzle gives an even spread over larger panels. Look for a sprayer that takes spare and replacement nozzles.

5. Parts you can get. Seals wear over time, even the right ones. A sprayer with a seal kit sold for that model will keep going for years instead of ending up in the bin.

What not to put in a solvent sprayer

A solvent resistant sprayer is made for petroleum solvents only. Don't use it for:

These need a different sprayer. Our chemical guide shows which one.

Watch out: brake cleaner and brake fluid are not the same family. Glycol brake fluid needs an alkaline (EPDM) sprayer, not a solvent one.

Pump sprayer or refillable atomiser?

A mini pump sprayer works at low pressure, about 3 bar. It suits wetting parts down with brake cleaner or degreaser.

For a finer mist, like an aerosol can, a refillable atomiser is the better choice. You fill it with your own degreaser, penetrating oil, solvent or lubricant, then pressurise it with air. It isn't made for acids, alkaline chemicals, acetone or paint.

Keep it going

More tips are in our guide on how to use and look after a pump up sprayer. To find out more about seal types, read VITON, EPDM or NBR seals explained.

Safety

Most brake cleaners and solvent degreasers are flammable and give off fumes. Read the label and safety data sheet, work in good airflow, keep away from flames and sparks, and wear gloves and eye protection.

Questions

Can I put brake cleaner in a normal spray bottle?
Not for long. Standard seals swell and fail with petroleum solvents. Use a spray bottle with VITON or FKM seals.

Will a garden sprayer work for degreaser?
Only if its seals are solvent resistant. Check before you use one for degreaser.

How long do the seals last?
It depends on the chemical and how often you use it. Release the pressure after use and replace the seals when the sprayer starts to weep or lose pressure.

Can I use the same sprayer for acid wash?
No. Acids need an acid resistant sprayer. Keep one sprayer per chemical family.