First try at rotor cleaning

[jayhkr]

Well I've been wanting to clean the inside of my wheels and my rotors for a long time and I just got myself a new car jack (the on the truck came with is crap). So here are just a few before and after shots. Nothing big, not the greatest, but it's better than it was.

Inner wheels before:

After:

Rotors before:

After:

Like I said, not to bad, but better.

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

Definitely an improvement! Good job, what did it take to get them there?

 

[Harleyguy]

You can get some high temperature spray paint and tape off the rotor surface and spray paint the rusted part.That will finish it off real nice and buy you some time until you need to do it again .

 

[jayhkr]

I used rust dissolver gel found at all auto stores. It's a pink liquid gel that I dipped 0000 steel wool in and smeared it over the areas I wanted cleaned. Let it set for about 5 minues then washed off. I dried the rotors off immediatly after. As for the wheels I just used APC full strength and a rigid brush. I'd thought about painting them but that's to much hassle.

 

[Mike Moore]

Good Job! That takes some time, effort and work. I know I recently did my wheels too.
There was a thick solid dark black/orange brake dust build up on the inside of the wheels.

Eagle One Chrome & Wire Wheel Cleaner
Easily melted away the old thick nasty brake dust
Used a wash cloth to remove any stubborn build up.
NOTE: After use, rinse and dry wheels thoroughly!!!

Eagle One Never Dull
Finished the job and brought out a bright shine

Synthetic sealant.
I sealed the wheels to help eliminate future build up.

This is how the inside of the "chrome" wheels turned out.

 

[jayhkr]

That looks real sharp. I didn't spend to much time on mine as I'm getting new wheels/tires next year. Going big with 33" tires and either 18 or 22" wheels coated in dark carbon. Of course I'll need to buy more tire dressing for the bigger tires!

 

[Mike Moore]

While you're at it switch the ceramic pads.

A LOT less cleaning!

 

[ScottB]

Ive always stayed away from rotors "swept" area specifically. You could see chatter if they dont mesh with brake pads. Anyone else feel different ???

 

[Munich77]

Wow the inside of those wheels is clean. Incredible turn-around!

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

Ive always stayed away from rotors "swept" area specifically. You could see chatter if they don"t mesh with brake pads. Anyone else feel different ???

I've read that it is a good idea to scuff the rotor's braking surface if your changing pad types. It has to do with the brake-in period, brake pads transfer some of themselves to the rotor, if the new material doesn't work well with the old it could "glaze" the pad/rotor surface and will result in poor performance and premature wear. I don't "know" this, I just have read it. Never bothered to do it myself as I have cheap rotors and will just replace them if needed.

 

[Rsurfer]

I've read that it is a good idea to scuff the rotor's braking surface if your changing pad types. It has to do with the brake-in period, brake pads transfer some of themselves to the rotor, if the new material doesn't work well with the old it could "glaze" the pad/rotor surface and will result in poor performance and premature wear. I don't "know" this, I just have read it. Never bothered to do it myself as I have cheap rotors and will just replace them if needed.

Is it not always reccomeneded to resurface your rotors when changing pads?

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

I'm no brake/rotor expert, but I don't think it's a good idea to resurface every time just cause (I think it's only recommended to resurface a rotor once). If it's needed, absolutely.

As I mentioned, if your changing brake pad material (and your rotors are in great condition) it might be a good idea to sand/scuff the surface to prevent the different materials from "glazing" the surface.

I got this info from a Google search, who knows who said it and what their level of expertise is. I'm just throwing it out there, FWIW.

 

[ScottB]

I've read that it is a good idea to scuff the rotor's braking surface if your changing pad types. It has to do with the brake-in period, brake pads transfer some of themselves to the rotor, if the new material doesn't work well with the old it could "glaze" the pad/rotor surface and will result in poor performance and premature wear. I don't "know" this, I just have read it. Never bothered to do it myself as I have cheap rotors and will just replace them if needed.

I think its effective to replace or true rotors with all new pads for best meshing.

I wonder however when cleaning brakes should you stay away from the rotors swept area so as not to induce chatter ?? I know that water/heat can warp cheap rotors. I noticed above in pics it looked like this area was cleaned more than simply just spray and wipe, perhaps sandpaper or heavy brush and again "could" that introduce a client not happy with pedal flucuations under heavy braking ??

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

I think its effective to replace or true rotors with all new pads for best meshing.

I wonder however when cleaning brakes should you stay away from the rotors swept area so as not to induce chatter ?? I know that water/heat can warp cheap rotors. I noticed above in pics it looked like this area was cleaned more than simply just spray and wipe, perhaps sandpaper or heavy brush and again "could" that introduce a client not happy with pedal fluctuations under heavy braking ??

I would agree that when cleaning brakes, you should stay away from the swept area. Also that replacing/turning rotors is best for proper meshing.

 

[Mike Moore]

I didn't mean to get a flying rotor thread started...
I believe this thread was about the time and energy to clean the inside of your wheels.

all I was saying was...

Ceramic brake pads = A LOT less cleaning!

Does everyone agree on that?

It takes a lot of time and effort and he did a real good job.
KUDOS 2 U
Now can anyone suggest a way to make that task better or easier?

 

[jayhkr]

They are ceramic, but it's a heavy vehicle that takes LOTS of stopping power so any type of break pad is going to create break dust for me.