Best way to clean dirty old calipers?

Just rebuilt my front calipers to replace seals. Have looked at various threads, but wonder what would be your personal way of remove ingrained dirt, as break cleaner and scrubbing didn't do the job to my liking. Can I use a parts washer or jet washer on calipers (If i intend to replace seals afterwards)?

Its an old bike, so not to bothered about damaging paint...actually I would like to repaint them at some point anyway.

[Bibio]

boil them in oxy washing powder or if you have a dish washer stick them in there, just dont let the other half catch you. a dremmel with a disc wire brush is perfect for cleaning out the seal recesses (i use autosol as well).

[Jayneflakes]

I take the seals out and then scrub the calliper with degreaser and an old toothbrush, but only because the dish washer packed up.

Cheers Bibio...never thought of boil washing them. And I cant believe I didnt think to use the dremel to clean the seal recesses (I used a thin screwdriver then cotton buds), when I did use the dremel to clean the pistons up!

Live and learn...thats why I love this forum!

[Dave-the-rave]

Get a pot from a pound shop or charity shop cuz you won't want to use your nice Tefal pots. They end up pretty skank.

[Nutsinatin]

How much oxy do you add, because I've got 500g here, and the sensible half is at work and I'm getting ideas...

[Dave-the-rave]

Not much. A small handful's plenty then a quick simmer in clean water to rinse then out.