Cleaning Rotors

[rrobello]

Is there any good safe way of cleaning your rotors? Also how do you go about removing the rust? Thank you

[Mowerpan]

You can take them off and paint the non braking surfaces but as far as the braking surfaces part once ya use them the rust will wear off

[rrobello]

cool thanks, is there a safe way to clean up the non breaking area as well?

[Murr1525]

They say the Multi-Piece Wheel Cleaner is safe for the disk brakes, and those sort of compnents, so you shouldnt have to worry about spraying it on them.

And it cleans good too.

[Accumulator]

Two ways to remove the rust: mechanical and chemical

Mechanical- Wire brushes/etc.
Chemical- Rust removers

I'd use the wire brushes to get the worst off and then use a rust remover. Then paint with something that'll hold up to high temps.

To be honest, I just wait until I'm replacing the rotors and either paint the new (rust free) ones or have them zinc plated. Not saying you can't remove the rust (well enough that it won't come back), but it always seemed like too much of a job for me to actually do it.

[Lookinforlunkers]

rrobello, If the friction surfaces of your rotors are rusted bad enough that a break application won't entirely remove the rust you should have your local dealership machine them for you. While they are off the car you could paint the rest of the rotor.

[MaxImage]

Does the rust occur after your rotors have been exposed to water? Such as after you wash your car? If so, take your car around the block and evertime you brake, the rust should come off. It may take 2-5 applications of the brake pedal to completely remove the rust, but from my car enthusiast background, I've never heard of the rust permanently adhering to the rotors, provided the car is driven regularly.

To clean the entire brake assembly, use a brake cleaner such as BrakeKleen, avaliable at any Pep Boys, NAPA, Checkers, Auto Zone, etc. If you decide to use a brake cleaner, remove your wheels first cause brake cleaner will more than likely damage/burn your rims.

[Lookinforlunkers]

I can tell you as a GM grandmaster technician that I change rusted rotors every day. There is a difference between scale and rust. After you wash your car you will have a little scale form on the rotors. If they are rusted they will need to be machined or replaced.

[SiriusRIMZ]

I wouldn't mess to much with your rotors. If theres rust, machine them.