Wheel Brightener Causing Rusted Rotors??

[OctaneGuy]

Can anyone shed some light on why this is happening? I really like the Wheel Brightener product from the Detailer line but I'm finding that overspray from my spray bottle is getting on the rotors, and it only takes a few seconds and then a rinse, and my rotors are now rust colored.



In the Before/After shot--actually After/Before you can see the rusty rotor after but not before. I've had this happen to me on 4 different cars so far. Could it be that my dilution ratio is wrong?

The fact this is happening, is it bad?

Would appreciate any insight into this.

Thanks

Richard

[Pete-FWA]

Nothing to worry about here-this is just surface rust

It will scrub off with the first braking.

In simple terms, this happens due to the surface being totally clean

[OctaneGuy]

Yeah I kinda assumed that as well. Just wanted to make sure this wasn't something that could be prevented with this product, and also just in case a customer asked this very question. My answer would have been the same. =P

Thanks!

Richard

Originally posted by Pete-FWA
Nothing to worry about here-this is just surface rust

It will scrub off with the first braking.

In simple terms, this happens due to the surface being totally clean

[Pete-FWA]

Another thought...
Once the vehicle is dry, if you just roll it forward or back and apply the brakes, it'll be gone. That way it won't bother them if they come outside to see your work in progress.

[OctaneGuy]

Yeah I can see myself now doing some high speed braking stops and telling them it's part of the detailing process!

Lol, by the way I'm joking, I know what you're saying. I'll give that a shot. I washed my own car today, and noticed the rusty rotors, that's what prompted me to post. I should go see mine now that I parked it in the garage.

Richard

Originally posted by Pete-FWA
Another thought...
Once the vehicle is dry, if you just roll it forward or back and apply the brakes, it'll be gone. That way it won't bother them if they come outside to see your work in progress.

[Pete-FWA]

After driving in the rain, then parking the vehicle, rotors will show rust too.

This is one of those things that shows more often when you look for it

[OctaneGuy]

Thanks. I guess what concerned me was that before I applied the chemical, when the rotors were dirty, they didn't look rusted, and then after washing they became bright orange. So it just seemed "worse" after the fact. Guess I'm going to have to pay attnetion next time it rains. LOL

Richard

Originally posted by Pete-FWA
After driving in the rain, then parking the vehicle, rotors will show rust too.

This is one of those things that shows more often when you look for it

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

All I can add to what's already been said is to say that I've seen this happen with EVERY wheel cleaner I've ever used, if I let it dwell long enough.

If you're worried about it for a car-show purpose, you could always use some #0000 steel wool on the rotor faces (though I wouldn't really recommend it unless you're dealing with a car that's show only, and doesn't get driven).

[Setec Astronomy]

Iron and steel will flash-rust when exposed to aqueous cleaning solutions (i.e., wheel cleaner).

[rrobello]

Is there any good safe way of cleaning your rotors other than braking to remove the rust?

[Mark2]

yeah, happens everytime I wash my wheels, nothing to worry about. The only thing to worry about is spraying cold water to hot brakes. Is that an Audi S4 B5 by the way? I just love that car

[RamAirV1]

The rotor rust will happen even if no wheel cleaner is used.

I agree you should not put cold water on hot rotors! Rotors warp easily enough without any of our help LOL!

RamAirV1

[WaspHunter]

I've noticed my wheels rusting as well, just after a wash (don't use wheel cleaner, not allowed to use hoses on cars down here). My concern is not the rust, but where it's coming from. For rust to be deposited in one area, metal has to be removed from another. Or am I just being paranoid now?