Dealing with Rust from Rotors after Wash

[mmgrad]

So, I got me some new fancy wheels... and well, they look nice when clean and all... but, once the car is all dry and safe to drive, all the rust flies off and lands on the polished lips on the wheel...

Or course, then I get out the microfiber and quick detailer and go cleaning off all the rust... it gets quite annoying having to do this each time I wash the car

I can't just leave it alone because the rust leaves a yellow-haze over the polished lips... yuck...

any recommendations as to how to treat this problem or prevent it?

Thanks,
Danny

pic of the wheel...

[Mike Phillips]

Hi mmgrad,

Sounds like a horrible problem. I'm going to guess that the best thing you can do is to apply a couple of coats of wax if the wheels are clear coated, if they're polished, then apply some metal polish like Meguiar's NXT All Metal Polysh.

You might also look into some wheel protectors, it's a disk type thing that goes between your wheel and your brake to prevent brake dust from getting on your wheels.

Mike

[Bill D]

Hi Mike,

I've read about and seen those brake dust guards. I'm wondering if what is claimed about them is true: that they can contribute to warped brakes because they hold in the heat generated from the stopping action of the brakes.

True or not, I would try to see what one likes on in person first before getting, I think they can "ruin" the "look" of the some wheels, kinda making them look like giant wheel covers.

[SilverS2k]

I have the same problem with my wheels and here is what I do:
I Shopvac the water out of the rotor/lugnut holes/calipers.. basically anywhere water 'hides' and I make sure the rust is COMPLETELY dry. After that I just wipe down the rotor with a cloth and that removes most of the surface rust. This greatly reduces any rust dust that goes on my wheels.
Hope that helps,
Alex

[Desertdawg]

You could always just grease up the brakes to prevent them from rusting.



(((JUST KIDDING))))

DO NOT grease your brakes, it will prevent you from stopping !!!!!!!


Does this happen if you take it out on the road???
Maybe if you just moved real slow and help a little brake pressure when you first drive it, then the rotors will clean themselves without throwing the rusty brake dust out onto the rims.

I think the brake covers will totally ruin the look you have showing the rotors now. If the above suggestion doesn't help, then it sounds like your just stuck having to QD them after the first drive.

[6318]

lol
I wait 24 hours after the wash until I drive...after the second coat of NXT, I figure the water's gone!

[mmgrad]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
Hi mmgrad,

Sounds like a horrible problem. I'm going to guess that the best thing you can do is to apply a couple of coats of wax if the wheels are clear coated, if they're polished, then apply some metal polish like Meguiar's NXT All Metal Polysh.

You might also look into some wheel protectors, it's a disk type thing that goes between your wheel and your brake to prevent brake dust from getting on your wheels.

Mike

Mike,
I currently wax the wheels already, but, the rust-dust still sticks to it a little...

I will definitely be picking up some polish for the lips... Hopefull that will help....

[mmgrad]

Originally posted by Bill D
Hi Mike,

I've read about and seen those brake dust guards. I'm wondering if what is claimed about them is true: that they can contribute to warped brakes because they hold in the heat generated from the stopping action of the brakes.

True or not, I would try to see what one likes on in person first before getting, I think they can "ruin" the "look" of the some wheels, kinda making them look like giant wheel covers.

I too would think the covers would hold in a lot of heat... but, my primary reason of not using that is cause it ruins the look of the wheel...

It will hide those big brake kits and all...

[mmgrad]

SilverS2k - I don't have a shop vac, but I do wipe down the lug bolts on the wheel before I drive them...

My plan of attack will probably be wiping down the rotors before or after they dry to move the rust...

6318 - its not really about the water from the wheels/rotors... its more of the rust that develops on the rotors from them getting wet when I was washing the car...

[DSG Man]

Air hose or leaf blower help any??

[mmgrad]

Originally posted by DSG Man
Air hose or leaf blower help any??

Don't have either one... I've been considering buying an air compressor...

I think the air compressor would help remove the water trapped in the edges of the multi-piece wheels, but, it won't remove the rust from the rotors.

I washed & waxed my car this morning before the rain fell, and I just wiped down the rotors to remove some of the rust & drove around the block REAL slow to scrape off the rest... that worked fairly well, but it still left a little rust dust on the wheels & lips...

[jfelbab]

An air compressor is handy for lots of water removal spots but if you take the car around the block after you initially wash and dry it you will spin off and dry all the water on the rotors. You can also hit the remaining drops with a dry mf towel and you will be rust free.

[DSG Man]

Originally posted by mmgrad

Don't have either one... I've been considering buying an air compressor...

I think the air compressor would help remove the water trapped in the edges of the multi-piece wheels, but, it won't remove the rust from the rotors.

I

It won't remove rust but it will keep the rotors drier so you won't have rust - or as much rust - to deal with.

[mmgrad]

Originally posted by DSG Man
It won't remove rust but it will keep the rotors drier so you won't have rust - or as much rust - to deal with.

I think you've convinced me to get one...

Any particular brand/model you recommend?

How much do they run and does it run off electric? gas?

Thanks