C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting?

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Old Dec 10, 2002 | 06:36 PM
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Default New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting?

I put new rotors all around and they looked so good for about the first few weeks....No rain and car is garaged....Then it rains and rains and I have to wash and rains more and wash it....Now they have that nasty rusty look to them....How in the world do you keep this from happening and what can I do to remove it.....I have the steel wool and it comes off easy, but as soon as I wash it or it rains there it is again....Yes it comes right off the surface where the pad contact them, but the rest looks like crap....Help me out here....I had di a nice job doing all this work and cleaning all the parts and grime...

Thanks
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Old Dec 10, 2002 | 07:03 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (apollo30346)

Drive it, then press on the brake pedal. PRESTO rust gone!!! Now if you want it gone where the brake pads don't swipe, then remove the discs and boil in distilled water for 20 minutes. This will turn the ferric oxide (red) to ferrous oxide (black). Ferrous oxide will not support ferric oxide under it and will remain black but full coverage will require repeating this process as spotty rust will occur mixed in the first conversion of ferrous oxide. When done boiling, steel wool the black areas. Discs must be degreased before boiling. You can repeat this several times until you have a good black coating in the areas where the pads don't swipe. Just think of the looks you will get when you boil your brake discs. :D :lol:
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Old Dec 10, 2002 | 07:07 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (jfb)

JFB...you have WAY to much time on your hands. :D
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Old Dec 10, 2002 | 07:11 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (apollo30346)

Only way I know of is a cadmium coating put on the rotors when made. It wears off where the pads meet the rotor but stays put elsewhere.

The rotors get pretty stinkin' hot so I'm unsure about self applied products.
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Old Dec 10, 2002 | 07:13 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (apollo30346)

:cheers: I just used some steel wool on mine ( Ipresume you are talking about the center hub) and then painted it with caliper paint. Seems to be holding up fine. I had to do something! With the original '88 wheels you couldn't see much, but with the new wheels, everything is obvious

Jack
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Old Dec 10, 2002 | 07:41 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (Dan Parker '96)

Only way I know of is a cadmium coating put on the rotors when made. It wears off where the pads meet the rotor but stays put elsewhere.

The rotors get pretty stinkin' hot so I'm unsure about self applied products.

spend the $10 a rotor for cadium plating, i always do. rotors are 2yrs old and still pretty on my ride.
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Old Dec 10, 2002 | 08:25 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (gtsyellow)

I just painted mine with engine paint and they are still holding up after a year.
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Old Dec 10, 2002 | 11:10 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (ericcer)

To remove rust, you drive the car.
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Old Dec 11, 2002 | 06:47 AM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (vader86)

for years Ive just painted my rotors and calipers with regular ole brushed on enamel paint....its never peeled or burnt off....and Ive had the brakes hot enough to glaze both the pads and rotors..... :seeya
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Old Dec 11, 2002 | 07:26 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (larryf)

Paint them with caliper paint or buy the 96 discs that already come painted from GM.
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Old Dec 11, 2002 | 08:03 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (Goody)

I will paint them just like I did the old ones...But What about the surface the pads don't touch....The pads dont cover the entire surface of the rotor pad surface....What do you guys do then?.....I knew I should have done it before I put it all back together..... :crazy:
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Old Dec 11, 2002 | 09:07 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (apollo30346)

I paint the entire rotor and let the pads cut throught it. I just don't try to paint the area where the pads ride to much.
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Old Dec 11, 2002 | 11:20 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (ericcer)

I thought about that too...But, I did not want to have to clean off excess.....But might be the option to go with...I will see how it turns out this weekend....Thanks to all...
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Old Dec 11, 2002 | 11:29 PM
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Default Re: New Rotors....How do you keep them from rusting? (Goody)

We have battles this problem with really no good results. The Cadiaum or clear Zinc which ever you prefer does last for a little while, depending on how you take care of it. If you WD40 the hubs it tends to last for a couple of months, but with the heat and moisture it corrods also. A high temp paint should work but I have not done that. Also you could buy the aluminum hats that cover it.
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