Rusted Rotors
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
I've been told spraying some muratic acid on them will clean the rust off.
Then follow up with high temp paint. Dont worry about overspray on the shiney part the pads contact, the pads will clean it off.
Then follow up with high temp paint. Dont worry about overspray on the shiney part the pads contact, the pads will clean it off.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Never SPRAY any acid...muriatic acid is the common name for hydrochloric acid...nasty stuff....just immerse the rotor in a pan of weak solution of HCl and water...add the acid to the water, not the other way around. if you must leave the rotors on the car you will have to "flood' the acid on with a plastic watering can.....catch all the drippings in a plastic tray....wear rubber gloves, eye protection, and have a hose handy to rinse off the rotors.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
My new Brembos were zinc coated which is ok but I got some 500 degree paint in sort of a "casting" color. Came out great and they've held up real well for 4 years. I was a little concerned about the 500 degree thing no knowing if that would be adequate but it's been fine so far.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I don't drive mine in the rain, so I don't get rust on the rotors. I had the center portion of the rotors on my TrailBlazer SS powder coated and they've held up very well. One of my buddies who has a new Grand Sport painted his hats with high temp paint and they look great. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 3
From: Iowa City Iowa
You can buy a product at Menards called "Rust Reformer" by Rustoleum (sp?) If you clean the rusted hat area up a bit and spray it with this item, it will turn the rust to an inert material which will not rust again. Then spray the hat area with whatever color paint you choose and rusted rotors (hat area) are a thing of the past. Believe me, this process works!!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Glen Cove New York
I've been using a rust "neutralizer" on the center and on the outer edges where the cooling fins are. I've been doing this on all my vehicles for years and it seems to hold up well. Just lightly sand and apply. The remaining rust works with the neutalizer to create a charcoal color that resists further rusting. You could paint over this if you wish but I just leave it as is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 441
From: Puyallup WA
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Woodway TX