Does everyone`s brake rotors rust when they wash the car

jw · 04-25-2002, 12:12 AM

When i wash my car the brake rotors start to rust, and then as soon as i drive again it goes away. Does this happen to everyone? My real question is tonight after washing my car i didn`t drive it, i just pulled in the garage. I noticed my rotors still had rust on them. If i let it sit there for a couple of days will the rust go away.

Thanks

**imported_2wheelsx2** · 04-25-2002, 12:42 AM

yeah as soon as you drive it will be gone- i cant explain it hough:nixweiss

**2wheelsx2** · 04-25-2002, 12:44 AM

The rust won`t go away. The first time you brake, the pads scrub off the rust. Don`t worry about it, it`s normal. If you don`t like it, go for a drive after your wash, make sure you do several hard stops (like coming down a hill) to heat up the rotors so that all the water evaporates, then you won`t see as much rust. There will always be some, unless you live in Arizona or someplace really arid.

**Hyperion** · 04-25-2002, 12:49 AM

Rotors are made of tooled steel while a very good and long lasting metal it rusts very easily. But as mentioned above it goes away very quickly. It is just a surface annoyance.

Just don`t spray water on a hot rotor...

**Jngrbrdman** · 04-25-2002, 12:51 AM

<blockquote class=`ipsBlockquote` >

<em class=`bbc`>Originally posted by 2wheelsx2 [/i]
<strong class=`bbc`>The rust won`t go away. The first time you brake, the pads scrub off the rust. Don`t worry about it, it`s normal. If you don`t like it, go for a drive after your wash, make sure you do several hard stops (like coming down a hill) to heat up the rotors so that all the water evaporates, then you won`t see as much rust. There will always be some, unless you live in Arizona or someplace really arid. [/b]</blockquote>
Bingo. :up Its not too major of an issue. Try to keep water off hot rotors though. That causes warping and rust. If you are washing the car and the rotars are hot then save the wheels for last.

**2wheelsx2** · 04-25-2002, 01:00 AM

Yup. Good advice. I used to drive a Toyota p/u and the front rotors were thick enough they were no problem. But now I drive a 626 and I was warned by many service guys that today`s rotors are so much thinner that warping is a major problem. As a matter of fact, the first thing that I had to do when I got my car (it was a lease return) was changed the front rotors because the brakes were pulsating. Be careful...

**YoSteve** · 04-25-2002, 08:27 AM

it`s called flash rusting caused by the water

you can coat rotors but you will always get flash rusting on the parts touching the pads becuase brakeing will remove any coating on your rotors.

**TiCoup** · 04-25-2002, 09:09 AM

Another thing I always do is avoid puddles like the plague when driving. Nothing worse then driving through a six-inch deep puddle and seeing the steam in the rear-view. I know the majority of steam is the exhaust, but some of it hits the rotor too. Like avoiding puddles isn`t instinct for most of you (and the perfect paint) anyway.

We have very hard water so mine spot white after a wash. I hate that.

04-25-2002, 11:14 AM

Oh you mean like this. I hit the brakes a little so some rust came off. http://autopia-carport.com/forums/at...=&postid=82360

**rd_volvo** · 04-25-2002, 11:17 AM

What about the average driver who takes his or her car

to the automatic carwash after a lengthy stop and go drive.

Now wonder your hearing and reading of more warping

than you used to.

Autopians and enthusiasts can be very selective where they

point the hose and tend not to wash a very hot car.