Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Corrosion on Brand New Rotors

I just bought brand new rotors for my front wheels last week. I noticed that before I had the new ones installed that the outer lip of the rotors were rusted. After installing the new rotors and washing my car the outer lip has changed from a stainless steel color that matches the rest of the rotor to a dingy gold color. I believe this is from either the tire degreaser or wax that I use at the car wash getting on the rotors. It turns the whole rotor this gold color but after a few minutes of driving on the road the part of the rotor that makes contact with the brake pad becomes its normal stainless steel color again (I guess because the pad wears off the corrosion). I am wondering if there are any solvents or cleaners that can make this dingy gold turn a silver color again. I tried paint thinner and it helped a little. I am wondering if brake fluid or something else would do the trick. Thanks for your help.

All rotors do that nothing to worry about

You can paint them if your wish. Use a high temp paint. I understand that paint ment for barbeques works well. You can also find paint ment for brake calipers that will work fine on rotors.

If you do intend to paint them, do it now before the rust gets any more involved. Try to keep the paint off the friction face although a little will not hurt.

It is too late now, but you can sometimes buy new rotors that have been cad plated that will also resist rust.

Wow, I didn't know that. So how come I notice them getting more corroded only right after I wash my car? And if all rotors do that, how far does it corrode? Until the things look like a piece of rusted metal?

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Ah yes a fact of life all things decay eventually. Steel will even rust in a vacuum. Ask a metallugy major or a Navy person that's been station at sea.
Living in Ohio for most of my 56 years, controlling rust is a major priority for the car buff and the home owner.
Here's what I will be doing with the new rotors Stazi's suppose to be sending me soon ( Hello Stazi are you listening Hi Hi)
I use three different coatings on new or lightly rusted rotors and drums. Even do this to brake lines, certain underbody parts and seams with spotwelds that hold moisture & etc. I have to keep this car at least 12-15 years, besides it the nicest drivers cars I've owned of Fords. Beamers etc way too much money.
These are all Rust-Oleum spray cans. numbers above the Bar Code!

1.7785 Galvanizing compound ---I even spayed this on rusty exhaust pipes, but as soon as the salt/miosture gets on the pipes, the galvanic action/corrosion starts and the zinc in the coating becomes the sacrificial element and you have to re-coat in the spring. It's all about slowing down the process, we can't stop it.

2.7584 Cold galvanizing compound very heavy zinc. For those who live in non salted roads you could stop here, if you want the silver look. It's easily touched up.

3. 7716 Heat resistant silver for the Top coat. It's also in white and black.
My calpiers were also coated several months before my 98 Mystique's first winter.

Try to keep as much of these coatings off the wear areas. yes you will never keep the rust off the wear areas. The zinc part is not that big of a problem as paint. "Build up on the pads.) That's just the way it is. Nothing is forever and that's what the auto manufactures are counting on. "Planned obsolescence's" Right?
Any questions for the "Ole Fart" no problem.
Paul
It's all about slowing down the process, we can't stop it.