Removing rust from disc rotors

plantchick · #1 08-21-2008, 08:00 AM

Before I bought my girl she'd been pretty much laid up and neglected in favour of a company car that didn't need a new windscreen for six months or so. Here's one of the results:

She comes back from the mechanic tomorrow with her new, improved, no leaks steering and I'd like to get this sorted over the weekend, only I'm not sure on method. WD-40 and scrubbing (wire brush?) comes to mind but don't know if its safe, or if there's a better option.

Is there a 'prescribed' way?

Thanks,
ever-growing sort it out list chickie.

Francis · #2 08-21-2008, 08:10 AM

buy new ones!! ...i dont know i would say as long as u dont touch inner part "where its shiny" maybe it could make it squeeeeeek if u resurface it

plantchick · #3 08-21-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francis

buy new ones!! ...i dont know i would say as long as u dont touch inner part "where its shiny" maybe it could make it squeeeeeek if u resurface it

Heya Francis, thanks for the input.

I'm a student, bought my girl three weeks ago and have spent a couple of grand since, getting her sound and happy. I've been told by a mechanic and a suspension/alignment guy that they're fine, pads have ~65%. She sure as heck bought her ABS to the party and stopped me in a hurry when I needed to the other day.

If what I've been told is wrong, then its wrong, But I really can't afford to replace parts that don't need to be.

Tania.

RojoRocket · #4 08-21-2008, 09:23 AM

If that view is from the rear of the rotor, I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Your wd-40 and wire brush idea won't cut it. Brake rotors are more or less "sacrificial" parts, being replaced periodically through the life of the car. Just my $.02.

Glenn

SVXRide · #5 08-21-2008, 10:30 AM

Leave them alone until you need to replace them and then get ones that are zinc coated.
-Bill

legacyau · #6 08-22-2008, 07:12 AM

Like the others have said leave them be and replace when needed, they are not readily available as an aftermarket item here i'm yet to find a non genuine replacement. they are available on ebay but freight is the killer and aside from looking s h i t e

if its working dont fix it

but you could use a wire wheel on a drill to take off the rust from the centre of the hub but stay away from the surface where the pads rub

cam

LetItSnow · #7 08-22-2008, 07:25 AM

It would be handy if you had access to a blast cabinet. I've stripped the paint and rust off of a set of struts and a pair of exhaust manifolds, and they look so nice afterward that I want to put 'em in the wife's curio cabinet.

She told me "no".

SVX_MY_BABY · #8 08-22-2008, 08:10 AM

Just looks like cosmetic surface rust. I you really want to get rid of it you could use elbow grease and coarse sand paper. Even a file if there is a noticeable ridge of rust at the edges. Be sure to keep any debris away from the calipers. You could then use a fine paper on the hub and use a high temp. paint. Don't paint the area where the pads touch. Definitely don't use D-40 on any lubricant on brake rotors.

plantchick · #9 08-23-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RojoRocket

If that view is from the rear of the rotor, I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Your wd-40 and wire brush idea won't cut it. Brake rotors are more or less "sacrificial" parts, being replaced periodically through the life of the car. Just my $.02.

Glenn

It is the rear - the front has a little on the top edges of the rotors, but not on the face(?).

I'll add this one to my list of newbie questions.... How does it being the rear vs. the front make a difference?
===

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Leave them alone until you need to replace them and then get ones that are zinc coated.
-Bill

Thanks Bill, does seem like its the way to go, but... darnit!

'cause....

plantchick · #10 08-23-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legacyau

Like the others have said leave them be and replace when needed, they are not readily available as an aftermarket item here i'm yet to find a non genuine replacement. they are available on ebay but freight is the killer and aside from looking s h i t e

if its working dont fix it

but you could use a wire wheel on a drill to take off the rust from the centre of the hub but stay away from the surface where the pads rub

They do look like s h i t e!

But since its a cosmetic and not a safety issue, I'm just gonna have to deal with it for now and maybe try some of the suggestions once I've sorted more important stuff. Not about to hope they go anytime soon, especially with what you've said about replacements.

Tania.

plantchick · #11 08-23-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

It would be handy if you had access to a blast cabinet. I've stripped the paint and rust off of a set of struts and a pair of exhaust manifolds, and they look so nice afterward that I want to put 'em in the wife's curio cabinet.

She told me "no".

Hey, there's a hidden message in there!

Well, once I went and looked up what a blast cabinet was and did

I want one!

Thanks for the idea. Wondering if maybe somewhere hires them out, or does the work. Not that I'd even think of dismantling brakes at this point, but all things in time....

Thanks LetItSnow,
Tania.

plantchick · #12 08-23-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVX_MY_BABY

Just looks like cosmetic surface rust. I you really want to get rid of it you could use elbow grease and coarse sand paper. Even a file if there is a noticeable ridge of rust at the edges. Be sure to keep any debris away from the calipers. You could then use a fine paper on the hub and use a high temp. paint. Don't paint the area where the pads touch. Definitely don't use D-40 on any lubricant on brake rotors.

Very glad I asked about the WD-40 before just doing it!

The rust doesn't look deep, no - some washed off when I started working on cleaning the wheel wells. (another ten passes and they might look respectable).

Another newbie question.... Now that I know it won't be a deterioration problem, it moves down the list of things to do, but if I were to, how would I go about keeping debris from the calipers?

Tania.

SSSVX · #13 08-23-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Leave them alone until you need to replace them and then get ones that are zinc coated.
-Bill

+1 or maybe you can get it painted...

SVX_MY_BABY · #14 08-25-2008, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plantchick

Another newbie question.... Now that I know it won't be a deterioration problem, it moves down the list of things to do, but if I were to, how would I go about keeping debris from the calipers?

Tania.

Best to take the rotors off. Leave the calipers on the car. It's not hard, only a few bolts. Other than that I'd say pack a rag around the front & back of the caliper where it meets the rotor then make sure you give the rotor a good spray & wipe with brake cleaner before you rotate it to get to the next spot.

Have a look at a Haynes or Chilton manual. Great for a novice & usually carried by public libraries. Some are generic, most are brand/vehicle specific.
http://catalogue.halifaxpubliclibrar...pect=subtab431

plantchick · #15 08-26-2008, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVX_MY_BABY

Best to take the rotors off. Leave the calipers on the car. It's not hard, only a few bolts. Other than that I'd say pack a rag around the front & back of the caliper where it meets the rotor then make sure you give the rotor a good spray & wipe with brake cleaner before you rotate it to get to the next spot.

Have a look at a Haynes or Chilton manual. Great for a novice & usually carried by public libraries. Some are generic, most are brand/vehicle specific.
http://catalogue.halifaxpubliclibrar...pect=subtab431

Thank you very much for this - explanation and link, both. I'd heard about things like it, but hadn't checked them out yet. I downloaded the (US) workshop manual from STIS and it helps a lot, but naturally enough assumes a ton of knowledge I don't have.

The library didn't have anything (smallish regional town) so I ordered something like it from the autoparts shop.

*grin* so what if I end up living off baked beans for a bit.

I've got a great car and she's getting happier by the day.