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Rust on brake rotors
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Rust on brake rotors
The brake rotors on my '96 CE are rusted where the pads don't touch
them. Has anyone done anything to improve the looks of the
rotors/wheels? Should they be painted or sand blasted or should
I replace the rotors with new ones? Any ideas/suggestions?
Thanks.
them. Has anyone done anything to improve the looks of the
rotors/wheels? Should they be painted or sand blasted or should
I replace the rotors with new ones? Any ideas/suggestions?
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Many moons ago when I thought I wanted nice looking rotors I sprayed the hats with Caliper spray paint in a color to closely match the body (red) in my case.
Any overspray was gone after a couple brake applications.
I still have them but most of the paint is gone because it didn't fare well with high breaking temps and multiple wheel changes.
Any overspray was gone after a couple brake applications.
I still have them but most of the paint is gone because it didn't fare well with high breaking temps and multiple wheel changes.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
They will rust the most when you wash it. The Chinese rotors are never coated to save on cost. I used two coats of high-temp engine paint on my imported el-cheapo C5 rotors because it looked bad when the center section rusted.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Atco Raceway in between Pa & Nj 13.073 @ 106 MPH
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 380
From: Cincinnati Ohio
I thought about the red...but i like the black seen/but not seen look. I am getting ready to change the fronts to C5 calipers with polished corvette letters..besides the black look like they never get dirty...
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 380
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Yes..Eveything was removed from the car. I masked off all pad mounting surfaces and sprayed everything. I also masked off the rubber piston boots on the calipers and reinstalled everything and
bled the brakes. It makes a nice weekend project.
bled the brakes. It makes a nice weekend project.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
I believe most wheel cleaners cause/promote rusting on the rotor. So avoid spraying wheel cleaner directly on the wheel, spray it on your brush or sponge or whatever you use, or use car wash soap. I think on rotors that have not already rusted, you will see an improvement.
I've had rust on cheap chinese rotors, OEM GM rotors, and expensive Baer two-piece rotors.
But painting them or buying coated rotors will certainly help too.
