If you notice, I believe he was using synthetic grease. I had planed on looking up the correct grease and using what is called for by the manufacturer.

Its interesting to point out that the Haynes and Chiltons manuals both say its okay to use Needle Nose pliers... Personnaly I have a pair of composite needle nose pliers, desiged for electrical work. Those should not cause any damage to the piston, however I do think you are correct, in that one should use the correct tool for the correct job. Espessally if it less then ten dollars.
Thanks for your insight

 

Yes, he did use synthetic grease - but its synthetic wheel bearing grease, not synthetic brake grease. There is a huge difference. No wheel bearing grease will stand up to brake temperatures, it just melts.

As said, the best tool is the proper tool. Chilton and haynes cater to the typical "do-it-yourselfer", which is probably why they cite the needle nose plier method as a way to retract the piston if no other tool is available.

 

Just did my rears, using Autozone's Rear Brake Tool that I leased, then never returned, for $60. Both sides took about 30 minutes total. The right tools for the job means no cutting corners on safety equipment. If anybody has trouble pushing and spinning the rear piston back into the caliper, go to auto zone and ask for the rear disk brake tool. For basic maintenance on cars, this tool is second to the floor jack for the speed you get easy jobs done.