How to clean brake light switch?

[Marla.the.V35]

Hi there,

I recently received a NOS brake light switch and it came a little grimy (so...maybe takeoff?) Anyways, I figured I'd clean it up a little, but thumbing through the V-35/U service manual (Thanks, again, Bob!) I don't see any cleaning instructions for the unit itself. Manual only says "replace". However, the section on Master Cylinders instructs using Alcohol to clean it (never gasoline or kerosene). I obviously don't want to damage a "new" brake light switch, so is cleaning it with alcohol ok or is there some other method I've not found information on?

[Rus Curtis]

I've done a few brake jobs on my vehicles.  I've always used Brakleen (I even use it to do small degrease jobs too).  The spray can comes with a little straw on it, like a WD40 can, making it easy to reach into tight areas.  It evaporates well but can be unhealthy if used incorrectly.  Protect your hands and ventilate.

That switch you have may be original "Old Stock," but I'm not convinced it's "New."  If you want to try it and see if it works, cleaning it first would be smart.

I've read either alcohol or brake cleaner would both work.  I like to give brake parts plenty of time to dry out after cleaning before install.

[Marla.the.V35]

Great advice! Thanks!

Yeah, pretty grimey, but I'll take what I can get lol. I also grabbed a "high-quality" repop from an ebay seller I've trusted thus far. It's clean as a whistle, so hopefully I have a backup just in case.

[oldtime]

You can use most anytime solvent you want if it’s an external cleaning.

[Marla.the.V35]

I'm thinking it wouldn't hurt to do some internal... looks like some foreign material is in the opening.