Washed bike, now no braking power.

[DaBuDa]

I have the Hayes HMX-4 Disc 6" Rotors *Mechanical*
and i gave my bike a wash couple days ago, took off the wheels, sprayed it down with that orange powerline degreaser, put them back on, and now whenever i try to stop, the brakes BARELY slow me down. I have retighten the cable, moved the brake pads closer, rubbed Alcohol on the disc a couple times, stepped on the brakes and rotated the tires while appling more alcohol so i can get the contaminants out of the brake pads, but it hasn't gotten any better. Ive cleaned them so much that i can't get anymore residue to come off on my rag.
Help?
Could i be that my tire is slighty at a different angle? Plz dont tell me that cuz i got my shitty X-4 derailluer set perfect... Any tips/tricks i can do? My bike is only 2 months old. I'm pretty sure it still has life in the pads, it was working fine before all this happened
Thanks.
Buda

[Rob]

100 grit sandpaper. Take the pads out and take off the glaze in a circular motion.

If you've got a torch, take it to the rotors.

[DaBuDa]

100 grit sandpaper. Take the pads out and take off the glaze in a circular motion.

If you've got a torch, take it to the rotors.

Ok, Ima try to find some sandpaper, I don't think i do though. I've got a lighter, so lemme try that. brb

[Rob]

Don't waste your time with the lighter, you'll probably just leave residue from that. The Torching isn't totally necessary, but the sandpaper on the pads is.

When you get back from using the lighter on the rotors, clean it off again with Alcohol

[DaBuDa]

Don't waste your time with the lighter, you'll probably just leave residue from that. The Torching isn't totally necessary, but the sandpaper on the pads is.

When you get back from using the lighter on the rotors, clean it off again with Alcohol

LOL, found 2 lighters, but they were dead. Good thing!
I dont wanna buy 5 bucks of sandpaper if im only gonna use it once or twice, anything else i can use around the house? wd-40? some industrial cleaner? WINDEX?

Edit: Can i just go back and forth with the sandpaper so i dont have to take off my wheels? Why the circlular motion?

[Rob]

haha, bring your pads to the hardware store

[DaBuDa]

haha, bring your pads to the hardware store

Now thats a thought! ahaha. Its my only wheels right now, and my roomate works graveyards, hmmm. I'm phucked.

Anyone local? Buy you beer?

[DaBuDa]

Windex?

[NipomoGuy]

automotive brake cleaner, USE BRAKEKLEEN! not autozone crap!

NO WD-40!!! and the circular motion helps keep the sanded surface flat.

[Rob]

Got a skateboard?

[DaBuDa]

Got a skateboard?

LOL, nah, just my trusty DB, if its not raining ima go outside and bomb the hill with windex sprayed on my disc, *not the rotors* like someone pmed me. Rain water won't mess it up even more right? I can care less about squeaking, i just wanna be able to stop on a dime !

[DH_Gnar]

Use the curb then stick 'em in the oven.

[DaBuDa]

Use the curb then stick 'em in the oven.

Curb?

*putting on rain jacket*

[bluefirepictures]

100 grit sandpaper. Take the pads out and take off the glaze in a circular motion.

Edit: Can i just go back and forth with the sandpaper so i dont have to take off my wheels? Why the circlular motion?

You have to take the wheel off because your only sanding the pads. Dont sand your rotor. I roughed up rotor will cause you to eat through brake pads.

[DaBuDa]

You have to take the wheel off because your only sanding the pads. Dont sand your rotor. I roughed up rotor will cause you to eat through brake pads.

I don't have any sandpaper, just windex. Oic, good point, thanks.
I might go riding tomorrow *GMR Shuttle* so i need to do this ASAP.
Heading out the door... BRB

[wizard]

Use fingernail polish remover...it's acetone...which is the same as brake cleaner. If you don't have that, use rubbing alcohol

[DaBuDa]

Use fingernail polish remover...it's acetone...which is the same as brake cleaner. If you don't have that, use rubbing alcohol

I've already used rubbing alcohol, with my bike upside down.. Would it be the best out of the three?

Ummm, okay, i tried the windex a couple times. It's a lil better, but its not skidding like it used to, even in the rain. And ummm, im going to try the polish remover. I just dabbed it with a napkin on the rotors, before and after. the rotors are kinda warm, but not burning to the touch... And yeah. people in LA dont know how to drive.. i almost got him twice just on my residential street.. Wow.

[LadiesMan]

LOL, found 2 lighters, but they were dead. Good thing!
I dont wanna buy 5 bucks of sandpaper if im only gonna use it once or twice, anything else i can use around the house? wd-40? some industrial cleaner? WINDEX?

Edit: Can i just go back and forth with the sandpaper so i dont have to take off my wheels? Why the circlular motion?

Don't want to spend 5 bucks? And you ride mountain bikes? Wow dude you picked the wrong hobby.

[emcil]

Curb? It's abrasive just like sand paper. I'm not telling you to do it, only telling you why. Good Luck.

[Margaritaman]

I dont wanna buy 5 bucks of sandpaper...

Your hospital bill will be more when you don't stop at the bottom of the hill.