rusty rotors C6
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Do you have a Z51? If so there is a fix for the break pads that will reduce the dust by 75%. The fix was for squeaky Z51 breaks. I replaced mine with ceramic's from GM. They were terrible. Then GM came out with a fix and I got my dealer to install those, all is well now! 
As for the rust, wash your car and then drive it about 5 miles before you wipe it down. That gets the water out of the rotors and reduces the rust. It also gets the water out of the mirrors. 
As for the rust, wash your car and then drive it about 5 miles before you wipe it down. That gets the water out of the rotors and reduces the rust. It also gets the water out of the mirrors.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
My Z51 rotors always show rust after washing, but the first time I drive it the rust gets "scraped off" and it doesn't reappear until the next time they get wet (which here in CA isn't until the next time I wash the car).
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
I don't worry about the rust because it doesn't last very long when the brakes are applied, and there's nothing you can do about it anyway.
I wash the tires and wheels first, using a flat, long-handled tire brush to get inside the wheel between the spokes...I can reach most of the way across the wheel. I use a separate bucket with car wash soap, mitt, and brushes to wash the tires and wheels.
I then wash the car with a larger bucket filled with fresh car wash soap solution and a different, clean mitt. After the car is clean, I dry it and put it in the garage. The drips off the rotors will mess up the inside of the wheels big time, so I go back with paper towels or a disposible rag and wipe the inside of the wheels clean again.
The next time I drive the car...poof!, no more rust. Don't let it eat on you...You cannot wash the car without getting the rotors wet, and if the rotors get wet by ANY means, they are going to rust like an SOB. There is nothing you can do about it.
BTW, the rotor "hats" on the 2006 Z51 are already painted flat black, but it looks like there could still be a little rust right at the wheel. This may be one of the "little improvements" from 2005.
I wash the tires and wheels first, using a flat, long-handled tire brush to get inside the wheel between the spokes...I can reach most of the way across the wheel. I use a separate bucket with car wash soap, mitt, and brushes to wash the tires and wheels.
I then wash the car with a larger bucket filled with fresh car wash soap solution and a different, clean mitt. After the car is clean, I dry it and put it in the garage. The drips off the rotors will mess up the inside of the wheels big time, so I go back with paper towels or a disposible rag and wipe the inside of the wheels clean again.
The next time I drive the car...poof!, no more rust. Don't let it eat on you...You cannot wash the car without getting the rotors wet, and if the rotors get wet by ANY means, they are going to rust like an SOB. There is nothing you can do about it.
BTW, the rotor "hats" on the 2006 Z51 are already painted flat black, but it looks like there could still be a little rust right at the wheel. This may be one of the "little improvements" from 2005.
Last edited by JmpnJckFlsh; Oct 19, 2005 at 01:23 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 3
From: Jupiter Florida
My solutions is three fold:
Treatment of rotors
Installed Porterfield R4S performance pads (and are very low dusting)
Use Rejex on alloys...allows for easy cleaning of wheels without having to use alloy cleaners each time
Michael
Treatment of rotors
Installed Porterfield R4S performance pads (and are very low dusting)
Use Rejex on alloys...allows for easy cleaning of wheels without having to use alloy cleaners each time
Michael
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
I believe the thread starter was talking about the rotors rusting in the non swept area. If not, that is my problem. Obviously the swept areas will not rust but I have a band of rust between the hub and swept area. Is the only solution to paint that area? Will the dealer do anything, as it was that way when I bought it? (The car was in the dealer's lot for 3 months in the open and the rotors were completely rusted. A 3 mile test drive cleaned them off except for a 1/2" band near the hub).
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Originally Posted by BigJoe
I believe the thread starter was talking about the rotors rusting in the non swept area. If not, that is my problem. Obviously the swept areas will not rust but I have a band of rust between the hub and swept area. Is the only solution to paint that area? Will the dealer do anything, as it was that way when I bought it? (The car was in the dealer's lot for 3 months in the open and the rotors were completely rusted. A 3 mile test drive cleaned them off except for a 1/2" band near the hub).
As I said before, 2006s are painted flat black in the lower disc and hub area...if your rotors are raw iron there, the only way you are going to keep them from showing rust is by coating them with something. Oils or greases are clearly not an option around the brake system.
There have been posts here on application of phosphate rust inhibitor, powder coating, paint...TommyV even had his rotors and caliper bracets zinc plated...the final solution so to speak. Do a search for the details.
Last edited by JmpnJckFlsh; Oct 19, 2005 at 10:51 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 2
From: Goleta CA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Originally Posted by C6FirstVette
My solutions is three fold:
Treatment of rotors
Installed Porterfield R4S performance pads (and are very low dusting)
Use Rejex on alloys...allows for easy cleaning of wheels without having to use alloy cleaners each time
Michael
Treatment of rotors
Installed Porterfield R4S performance pads (and are very low dusting)
Use Rejex on alloys...allows for easy cleaning of wheels without having to use alloy cleaners each time
Michael
How do the rotors look now that some time has passed?
Last edited by mlongo99; Oct 19, 2005 at 12:23 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I painted my Z51 rotor's with high temp engine enamel about 4 month's ago and they still look good. It solved 90% of the rust problem. I use a blower and I don't see any rust when I am done. Before I painted them I would have rust on the driveway under the car after every wash.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 50
From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
Originally Posted by JmpnJckFlsh
TommyV even had his rotors and caliper brackets zinc plated...the final solution so to speak.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 3
From: Jupiter Florida
Originally Posted by mlongo99
That's the thread I've been meaning to look for. Thanks!
How do the rotors look now that some time has passed?
How do the rotors look now that some time has passed?
Of course the friction surface will rust a little...after washing if you blow off immediately this reduces the rust on that surface...then the brake pads take care of the rest..but the holes/slot etc are not rusting due to the OxySolv treatment. This pic says miles as to what the treatment does...pull your (as in anybody) wheel off and take a look and you will see exactly what I mean
Michael
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38,772
Likes: 621
From: Boston MA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08,'12-'13
Originally Posted by TommyV
Actually, they are cadmium plated. I had base brakes and ordered Z51's so there was no down time. Still waiting to hear if the Z06 six pot's fit the stock wheel.