Rusty discs
Submitted: Saturday, Mar 15, 2008 at 22:20
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Austravel
Hi,
Don't use the camper as much as I'd like and noticed the rotor is pretty rust. Any ideas on prevention? Can't use oil based products of course but wondered if anyone had found a way to reduce rusting.
Reply By: guzzi - Saturday, Mar 15, 2008 at 22:31
Saturday, Mar 15, 2008 at 22:31
Disc rotors?
Take it for a run and apply the brakes.
Otherwise don't worry about it.
AnswerID:
292861
Reply By: Dunaruna - Saturday, Mar 15, 2008 at 23:12
Saturday, Mar 15, 2008 at 23:12
Assuming it's surface rust and not cronic - If it's the braking surface you are worried about, just give them a cleanup with sandpaper. If it's the hub section, sandpaper and then paint.
AnswerID:
292865
Reply By: Austravel - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 11:31
Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 11:31
Rust is on the braking surface of the rotor. Yep could simply keep sanding or go for a drive every month or two and apply the brakes. Guess I'm after ideas to prevent the rust in the first place.
AnswerID:
292894
Follow Up By: guzzi - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 11:49
Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 11:49
The rotors are generally cast iron which basically rust on contact with air. This acts as a semi protective coating in its own right, think of the old browning process that they used on black powder firearms. Nothing you can do to stop this short of pulling off the rotors and painting them, use a very light dusty coat of pot belly stove paint. You then have to put up with dodgy brakes until all the paint has worn off the rotors and pads.
As long as the rust is just surface its not a problem and will do no harm. If however its getting to the deep "pitting" and flakeing stage it may cause weak spots and new rotors may be needed.
If its just an appearance thing don't worry about it.
Alternatively have some manufactured out of stainless steel.
Rust and the resulting looks was the major reason motorcycle manufactures went to stainless steel for brake rotors, cast iron is still more durable and gives better feel and IMO better brakes.
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Reply By: Austravel - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 16:28
Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 16:28
Thanks
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292936
Follow Up By: Member - David P (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 16:36
Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 16:36
WD40 weekly?
FollowupID:
558558
Reply By: Shaker - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 18:51
Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 18:51
The best answer is the simplest .... don't worry about it!
Definitely DON'T paint them, oil them, WD 40 them .... just leave them, they will clean up after just a few applications of the brakes.
Drums rust inside too, but as they say "out of sight, out of mind".
AnswerID:
292960