A few weeks ago I got new R1 Concepts rotors on my DD, and not long afterward I did a maintenance wash. I noticed a tad bit of surface rust on them so I hit them with Sonax, and rinsed, and as they dried and ever since have had this nice coating of rust. I know it's not harmful but just looks bad cosmetically. Ok, they look like shit. So I'm wondering what I can do to remove it & prevent further build-up, without applying anything that's going to trap a bunch of gunk. Suggestions? Naval jelly? Thin coating of oil/grease? ??
looks like you would need to remove the wheels. remove the coat of rust and spray the hub. man you must used a lot of sonax....
Alright....if the brakes have been bedded properly, just drive the car back and forth before you pull the car into the garage to dry it, also you might repeat this step after the rotors are dry with the rust once last time..........just trying to help but the grease/oil statement was to hard to pass up on some fun(NEVER DO THIS!!!!!).
I was kidding of course.... yes, they are bedded properly, and the rusty portion is where the pads aren't contacting the rotor (they're clean in that area). Actually I didn't that use much Sonax at all. I have to think though that Sonax hitting the rotors has to be pretty common, with overspray that finds its way through?
Looks like the rotors went into a pool of saltwater and left to rust. Yeah painting em or maybe even try some anti rust paint
Did you call the people that sold these to you and tell them what happened? This is not normal - in detailing hundreds of cars I cant say I have ever seen that much rust before on a rotor hat. I vote for calling the people who sold them to you and sending them the picture. This cant be normal. Good luck, tell us what happened after you talked to them. Dan F
^did mine. some rotors are zink coated i think so when you put it on, brake pads rubb off where it needs and rest dont rust. my friend had it on his car. i painted mine myself but like you said some area still rust couse i didnt know where brake pads dont touch
^ People usually spray the hub with high temp paint, I had mine done by a friend who owns a bodyshop, haven't had any problems with rusty hubs!
The surefire way is to buy zinc plated rotors, the zinc wears off only where the pad hits the rotors,but you will still get rust here and there so then what you do is get someone to powdercoat the hubs, it's better the high temp paint and last longer stays glossier too provided you use a good powdercoat shop. Also plays wheel with wheel cleaners!
What would happen if you paint the whole rotor though? Probably doesn't make much difference as the pads would just wear away where its suppose to be wearing away
I contacted R1 Concepts, and was told that the rotors I bought (the Eline OEQ version) aren't zinc coated, so they will rust. He also suggested painting the rusted areas with high-temp spray paint, and I can spray right over the rust or use sandpaper or steel wool to remove existing rust (just being careful not to leave sandpaper grit/wool where the pads contact the rotor). If there's some overspray where the pads contact, that's ok, the pad will wear it off. This is a PITA, and needless to say I'm pissed, but a lesson learned - be danged sure any new rotors are zinc coated.
I know you just bought these, but there are several rotor brands that have the rotor hub and vents already painted (high-end raybestos, centric, ebc, and others). The only problem with these painted rotors is that the paint will chip off if you live in areas that use salt during the winter time. I rather deal with this than having corroded rotors.
Another reason why powdercoating is the better choice, it last longer when done right under those conditions. The only thing is you'll have to remove the rotors to powdercoat.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. If I could I'd probably powdercoat but that's not an option for me, so it looks like I'll get high-temp paint and go that route, and see how it turns out.
Spray it with a special rust treatment spray. It goes on clear but dries a flat black and prevents the rust from coming back. You can find it at your local auto parts store in the paint section. I have done this dozens of times
