Best way to clean up brake calipers?

[spenceley1]

So got some nice golden sp1 calipers recently but they pretty grimey, mostly brake dust I think. Tried cleaning them up with wurth brake cleaner but it's not very good... Wd40 works better but still not great so any suggestions are more than welcome :)

Heard petrol is good for cleaning but worried about damaging the actual paint?

EDIT: on a side note and to save making a new post... Anyone know of someone that can sort my forks or me? New seals, possibly brushes and bottoms painted?
Cheers!

[dobbslc]

White spirit works well. If the calipers are really grubby then take the seals out and clean behind them in the grooves as this is what causes them to seize up.
Use a bit of red rubber grease on them and the pistons on reassembly, you can get it on eBay cheaply in small pots and it lasts ages.

[BillingCBR]

If what I've been told is right, hot soapy water and a tooth brush should get it shifting. Maybe try very carefully with fine wire wool on the outside, should be abrasive enough, just be careful not to damage the top layer :)

[Drunkn Munky]

I usually strip them and leave em to soak in the parts washer for a few days then a good scrub with a stiff brush, you will need to remove/replace all the seals though as if left in they deform and if for some reason you want to refit the old seals they shouldnt be left out for any length of time.

I can sort your forks for you, stripped, cleaned, painted, upgraded whatever you like

[spenceley1]

Ok cheers, you think if I soak them in hot soapy water it'll be good enough to help clean them up?

Sounds good munky about the forks, will pm ya :)