Keeping brake rotors rust free...Suggestions?

M

mcnab

New member
I just put brand new Brembo rotors and pads on my car last month and they're already getting surface rust. I would have figured they would have come with atleast a rust proof coating, but apparently I was wrong...



Take a look at the pic below to see what im talking about.

rustpic.jpg




The rotor itself doesnt' rust as it's always being ground down by the pads, but what im not enjoying is the surface rust that has developed on the inner hub portion of them. Im interested if there is a way I can clean them off and seal them....I'll just lightly sand the inner hub to get off the surface rust (as that's all it is) but im looking for a more permanent way to stop this from being a problem. I just find it a bit of an eyesore :sosad ....Is there some sort of hi-temp clearcoat I could try?



Suggestions!!
 
steveo3002 said:
paint it...theres plenty of high heat brake paints around, mine have por15 on em
Click to expand...



I was hoping I could avoid painting them any colour, even black. I like the nice finished metal look of them and I was hoping to retain this look without painting them :/
 
You could paint them silver or chrome or something similar to that. Maybe you could even us a clear paint.
 
They make high-temperature clearcoat. Just sand down to an even surface and clear 'em. It wont last forever, as its not a primed surface, but it should work well for a while, and you can just strip and repaint when it becomes a problem.
 
themightytimmah said:
They make high-temperature clearcoat. Just sand down to an even surface and clear 'em. It wont last forever, as its not a primed surface, but it should work well for a while, and you can just strip and repaint when it becomes a problem.
Click to expand...



Any idea of a specific brand?
 
I painted mine black in order to not see the rust through my nice wheels:



caliperspainted.jpg




Rotors were taken off the car, I used a wire brush attachment for my drill and got all the rust off. Then I CLRed the rotor to get any little stuff off. I taped off the rotor surface with painters tape. I then painted them with Duplicolor High Heat W/ Ceramic Black Paint. I gave them a good two coats (moderate thickness) and called it good. I wire brushed and sprayed my caliper brackets the same way.



The calipers were done with Duplicolor's Caliper Paint Kit. I used the Brake Cleaner that came with the kit and then I took the caliper off the rotor. I left it connected to it's line, but unlike some people I did take it off the rotor to make sure I could get the best paint coverage. I did NOT use the brush that came with the kit. That brush leaves bristles all over the place. Go to the art supply store and spend about $2 and get a good brush, it's worth it. I put two coats on each caliper and it still looks great.



I also still have enough product to do at least one more car.



Good Luck,

GT6
 
Autozone sells VHT brand disc, drum, and caliper paint. My brother just bought some black, but they did have different colors. Look for clear.
 
themightytimmah said:
They make high-temperature clearcoat. Just sand down to an even surface and clear 'em. It wont last forever, as its not a primed surface, but it should work well for a while, and you can just strip and repaint when it becomes a problem.
Click to expand...





I have a can of VHT high temp clear. It's engine paint but it will do the trick. I've used it on several parts and worked out really well. Just make sure to use several coats so it will hold up
 
In my experience, cheap paint will hold up just fine. My car gets driven hard, and the paint just stays.



For future reference, the autocross guys love the generic Napa rotors. Cheap and very reliable.
 
brembo blanks are pretty good too, and not expensive as the name might imply.



the problem is cheaper rotors like the brembo blanks aren't anti-rust coated.



just go with a hi-temp clearcoat. I personally wouldn't paint my rotors as I autocross and drive spiritedly sometimes, and the brakes can get REALLY hot, and I don't trust the "hi-temp" qualities of paints, but most people say the paint will hold up. and really, the rust doesn't bother me too much, but then again my wheels don't show much of the hub.
 
InfamousDX said:
If you do hard track days, don't paint them. Just another factor I'd throw in there. If not, then listen to these guys!
Click to expand...



+1



Brakes are made to be used. If you have a performance car and buy performance parts, you shouldn't be worried about some surface rust. If you ever track it, the paint will bake off or discolor.



Heck, even my brake calipers are a different color from tracking it. They used to be red with white lettering, now they're brownish with yellow lettering. Some people who go more often have had their calipers turn black. It is just the paint discoloring from high heat and nothing you can do about it.



wheeldetail08.jpg
 
a couple of years ago I polished mine and applied quite a few layers of clearcoat engine paint, and they're still looking pretty great. polishing really made a difference with that look you're talking about and the clearcoat sealed them pretty well. I polished and clearcoated my calipers, too. it's a nice look.
 
marko said:
a couple of years ago I polished mine and applied quite a few layers of clearcoat engine paint, and they're still looking pretty great. polishing really made a difference with that look you're talking about and the clearcoat sealed them pretty well. I polished and clearcoated my calipers, too. it's a nice look.
Click to expand...

how did you polish them?
 
drill accessories and a decent hand drill. it's amazing what you can do with a few drill accessories. and abrasives and metal polishes. it's a whole sport unto itself. I used jeweler's rouge and a polishing wheel on the exhaust manifold shields on my acura, and they're mirror-like. don't get me started about doing the rest of the exhaust.
 
marko said:
drill accessories and a decent hand drill. it's amazing what you can do with a few drill accessories. and abrasives and metal polishes. it's a whole sport unto itself. I used jeweler's rouge and a polishing wheel on the exhaust manifold shields on my acura, and they're mirror-like. don't get me started about doing the rest of the exhaust.
Click to expand...
what kind of metal polish did you use? do you have photos of the results?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top