Turning Rotors
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 333
Likes: 3
From: The Woods MissLouTex
Turning Rotors
Can I turn my own rotors? I have access to a CNC and I know what finish to put on as well. Just wondering if anyone else has used a manual or CNC to turn their own before. Just wanna knock off the finish so I can put on new pads while my calipers are being powder coated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,299
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From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
It all depends on your setup and your experience as a machinist; rotors like to chatter because you are holding them at the center unless you take the time to cut a set of soft jaws to grab them on the OD (preferred way). For the $15 per rotor it cost me to take them to a local guy that has the dedicated equipment, it's not worth it. Really the best way is to grind the brake pad area.....but now we are into even more specialized tooling. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,299
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From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Use emery paper or a round wire brush on a electric drill. Are you going to Ceramics (best to remove old material as much as possible) or staying with Carbon Metallic (not so important)?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 333
Likes: 3
From: The Woods MissLouTex
yes going to ceramic. that's why i figured it would be good to lightly machine them rather than sand them.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,106
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From: NE South Carolina
But there are your rotors! For what it's worth, I changed my early 2014 Z51 pads after a year with somewhat less miles than yours. Was concerned about the same issue. I used 60 grit Norton sanding pads and followed advise I read and went radially from the center. Didn't spend a lot of time but you can see from the pic below I did get off at least some of the OEM brake material since it is on the sanding pad. I had washed the rotor (very carefully) with Brakleen on a rag before using the sanding pad. Washed the Brakleen off quickly with alcohol so none touched the painted calipers.I bedded the Carbotech 1521's per the instructions for those pads that are a bit different than the OEM pads. Never had the slightest vibration or noise. Still don't and it's over 8 months since the install.
Cleaned brake rotor with Norton 60 grit sanding pad. Just removed some prior OEM brake pad material - did not really change rotor metal surface any significant amount.