coating SS braided brake lines

[robsanab]

Just got some S.S. braided brake lines... they are the kind WITHOUT the teflon covering over the metal braid. I thought these were supplied with the covering but alas they are not (I'll call Ireland and whine about their misleading website description... that said, they are good quality and best price around... and they got the stuff to me quickly, efficiently and friendly).

Would plasti-dip or similar be good to keep dirt/mud from working it's way into the braid and chaffing? I've never used any of it... is it truly sturdy and flexible enough for this application?

[Mike87]

In the past I have used fuel hose, split lengthwise and tie wrapped around braided stainless to prevent chafing. I have also seen wire wrapping vinyl used to cover braided stainless.

Otherwise, they are usually left alone. You really don't need anything covering them unless there is a chance for them to rub on something.

[winstontj]

What about heat shrink tubing? You could slide it over and shrink it right down so it's nice and snug. There would be no way for even water to get in if you did it right.

I'd tend to think that I'd want to see my SS lines (all lines for that matter) though. You wouldn't want a covering hiding a problem that could potentially mean your life - or someone else's life. I'd rather replace mine every few years (mine are going on 8 years now) than worry about the chafing IMO.

Let us know what you decide to do!

[robsanab]

I agree... I would want to see it... that's why I was thinking of a clear plastic coating. Again... I have never used plasti-dip or equal (they have a dip and a spray i believe)... but I've seen clear coating advertized.

true, probably nothing to really worry about without a cover. Although some manufacturers do sell them that way. I just figure if it's cheap to keep them more bullet proof and clean looking, why not.

[SteveJ]

I agree with the heat shrink tubing.

However, if you do cover the SS braid with heat shrink, you may want to find something to protect the heat shrink. Maybe some type of metal braided material. Then again, you would need to protect that metal braid with some sort of tubing or such, and that would need to be protected...

Just givin' you grief.

That is a good question about using the plasti-dip.

However, I just pulled the braided lines off of my M3 after some 12 years or more. A wipe of the rag cleaned them up. They will be going back on the car as soon as I am done with the suspension rebuild.

They are super durable.

[Guest Anonymous]

clear shrink tubing is the thing to use.

[peteinjp]

the teflon is in the inside. the usual external coating is pvc and its primary function is to keep the lines pretty. a brake line should not be rubbing against anything so abrasion is not a problem.

[Napes]

Periodic spray cleaning under wheel wells has kept my SS brake lines shiny and clean for the past 15 yrs.

Bob Napier

[robsanab]

yes, my words were wrong... the "teflon" is what the tube core is made out of.... but some companies put a covering on them.

The type of abrasion that I've heard about is grime working it's way in thru the braid and possibly grinding a hole in the teflon core. But that was probably something i read on a manufacturer's website. I can hear by some of your experiences that it's probably nothing to be too concerned about... just clean out the wheel wells every so often.

[robsanab]

ah ha!! just noticed that one out of six does indeed have a sleeve covering as advertized!! I'm sure Ireland will send the one's they meant to send to me. I'll call them tomorrow.

[winstontj]

ah ha!! just noticed that one out of six does indeed have a sleeve covering as advertized!! I'm sure Ireland will send the one's they meant to send to me. I'll call them tomorrow.

Now that everyone's gone through this excersise what's the sleeve made out of? Anything remotely similar to what we suggested?

[peteinjp]

Some are advertised as pvc.