So, you must be Mr. Perfect, never bumped anything accidently, nothing huh?

 

Uncalled for comment. We all screw up occasionally. The guy wants a solution. Offer a valid one or keep quiet! I use brake cleaner.

Usually I spray it on a rag, and wipe the rotor down. If you had actually gotten some on the pads, I still would not cosider that to be a disaster either. You can clean the pads also with brake cleaner. In that case, you would need to spray it directly onto the pads. Try to block out overspray so it does not get all over the paint, but brake cleaner really is not all that damaging to paint! I also use it to clean oil that drips from the breather onto the engine. I have never had it damage the paint. Brake fluid is another story. It will destroy paint (except for the silicon based fluids).

 

"a little used oil on the left front brake disc" I didn't see that as "all over the place" but....

my experience has been 'if you can't change (insert liquid/filter here) AND get (insert liquid here) all over the place you're not doing it right'
(grumble stupid oil seals, fuel filter seals, gas filter connector grumble)

 

I fear the thought of someone doing a brake job and not knowing what brake cleaner is

 

Denatured alcohol is something you should NOT drink (or light). But you can buy it at any hardware store and is a good solvent that won't damage paint if you happen to get some on.

 

Just get brake kleen and spray it on the rotor and caliper. Avoid your paint and wipe off excess. Ride bike and use front brakes cautiously for a few miles. Ignore naysayers and horse's asses. Everybody starts somewhere.

 

Everything solving oil works and is effective. Aceton, petrol, thinner, alcohol (don't sacrifice your 25 year old whiskey, that's real abuse of alcohol) and two old rags. One to clean soaked with the solvent and the other to dry the disk form the solvent. Beware of your paint of your bike, brake fluid will destroy your paint quicker than acids...

 

I don't know, I think I'd pass on that idea.jmo

 

he was changing the oil and accidentally bumped the drain pan, not working on the brakes.

 

'if you can't change oil without getting it all over the place, maybe someone else should do you maintenance.

paying for maintenance keeps americans in work.'

Yup, that there is an ignornant reply..don't matter where you're from.
Ignore him. lots of replies that are actually helpful