68matic wrote:
i believe Brake Fluid is water based, not oil.
i can usually get it off my hands with water, so you'll need to dissolve it out with a water based solvent.
ie. not petrol
and heat gunning it will just leave residue in the shoes.
if you're concerned, use Metho, coz that will leach it out, and will evaporate out.
it may be contradictory, but i didnt do anything to my shoes when my cylinders leaked, just changed the cylinders and off i went

Word for the day is Hydroscopic...brake fluid absorbs water....thats why you should replace it every few years ....
All I can say is....you are very lucky to have got away with driving on your impregnated linings....they could not have been too badly effected....you are risking a massive brake lock or grab....and on wet roads in a Mini (remember wet roads?) ...well that is diabolical (and no!...thats not the WotD..... it is Hydroscopic)
Burning in metho or petrol as I did once, may help but a thorough clean, new wheel cylinders or an overhaul kit and new shoes IS the way to go.........