Is there any way to stop brakes rusting?

[George H]

My car has been parked up for just over a week, under it's cover, but tonight I noticed the brake discs were quite rusty. Is there anything that can be applied to them to stop it happening? Or is it not really much of an issue?

Also, do carbon ceramic brake discs degrade in any way if left for a long period of time outside?

[JohnG1]

Nothing you can do for steel/iron discs.

CCM don't get affected by weather. They just look mean and moody in all weathers!

[yeti]

George H said:

My car has been parked up for just over a week, under it's cover, but tonight I noticed the brake discs were quite rusty. Is there anything that can be applied to them to stop it happening? Or is it not really much of an issue?

DRIVE IT!!!

Simple solution

[Jockman]

A nice touch Rick used to do was to paint over the 'rust' with a special paint at service time, so that your brakes looked new when you arrived to collect the car. This would almost last until the next service.

As your servicing dealer to do likewise

[George H]

yeti said:

DRIVE IT!!!

Simple solution

I've been waiting for that remark to come out, should have known it would be from you!

It's ste weather up here, constant rain, sleet, hail, snow. Not Aston weather at all, even less so a convertible one! I'm hoping for a few nice dry crisp days between xmas and new year for some topless hoons

I was hoping there was some sort of product that could be applied to stop the air getting in contact with the steel, therefore removing any risk of oxidisation while it was sat there.

I just gave myself an idea, brake slippers

[George H]

Jockman said:

A nice touch Rick used to do was to paint over the 'rust' with a special paint at service time, so that your brakes looked new when you arrived to collect the car. This would almost last until the next service.

As your servicing dealer to do likewise

I will do, but it isn't due until end of March, would like to get it protected for over the winter.

Last time they went a bit rusty the brakes squeaked like mad for ages. Is embarrassing when you manage to draw even more attention than usual when driving in stop start traffic through town

Are there any derogatory effects long term of discs being left with rust on them (even if only for a short while)?

[Mako V12V]

You could try spraying them with WD40?

[Jockman]

George H said:

I will do, but it isn't due until end of March, would like to get it protected for over the winter.

Last time they went a bit rusty the brakes squeaked like mad for ages. Is embarrassing when you manage to draw even more attention than usual when driving in stop start traffic through town

Are there any derogatory effects long term of discs being left with rust on them (even if only for a short while)?

Once warm, the problem tends to dissipate somewhat Georgeous. All of us plebs sans CCMs need to adjust accordingly.

Just get used to it matey and as Yeti says 'drive it'.

I'm sure JohnG1 has even exposed a squeaky preponderance of CCMs in previous postings.

One of the pitfalls of volante gaylord driving I'm afraid - us coupe brutes rarely hear the squeal

[lime1]

Mako V12V said:

You could try spraying them with WD40?

Might stop the discs from rusting but I expect it will also affect your ability to stop the car. Not a good idea to contaminate your discs with any sort of lubricant. Expect that was a tongue in cheek suggestion

[Jockman]

lime1 said:

Might stop the discs from rusting but I expect it will also affect your ability to stop the car. Not a good idea to contaminate your discs with any sort of lubricant. Expect that was a tongue in cheek suggestion

Especially one that is water based in freezing temps - I know for a fact that Mako is pulling your leg

[yeti]

Jockman said:

A nice touch Rick used to do was to paint over the 'rust' with a special paint at service time, so that your brakes looked new when you arrived to collect the car. This would almost last until the next service.

As your servicing dealer to do likewise

Brake discs or hubs are we talking about? I think most dealers would Hammerite the hubs at service time, would hope so anyway. I think Prince George is talking about the actual discs, nothing I can think of that won't contaminate the pad material. They are a high carbon/low chrome type of steel so very prone to rusting.

It's a killer for 911s, they rust completely on the inside surfaces and need replacing every two years whether worn or not. Crap design!

[3200gt]

garage and dehumidifier is the only solution.
Putting whatever on the swept face of the disc's may stop them rusting but it is also likely to knacker your pads. could get a tad exspensive having to replace disc's due to pitting from rust and the pads due to contamination.

Edited by 3200gt on Wednesday 14th December 06:53

[GTDB7]

I wonder if something like K-Rust would help?

It oxidises the surface to prevent rusting.

Ok, this would soon wear through depending on how you drive and how far you drive etc..

But it could be a short term option over the winter months, even if you have to apply it weekly.


Just an idea... but might do the trick.

Also when it dries the disc's will look a dark charcoal colour.. Fake Ceramics, :-D

[George H]

Won't fit into the garage so has to stay outside. It's under a cover but that doesn't really help much with the brakes.

I'll have a look at that K-Rust stuff, thanks

[bogie]

I wouldnt put anything on swept part of discs for fear of buggering up pads or reducing braking performance

at service time, the garage usually paints the centres if they are rusty, the rest is a wear surface ....so you take the car for a drive and the rust goes with a few stops ...like any car, so nothing to worry about

[mikey k]

Jockman said:

A nice touch Rick used to do was to paint over the 'rust' with a special paint at service time, so that your brakes looked new when you arrived to collect the car. This would almost last until the next service.

As your servicing dealer to do likewise

Thats only on the unswept part of the hub not the surface in contact with the pads
One good hard brake will clear it off once you start driving
I'd run a mile from anything coating the swept area as it will contaminate the pads.

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 14th December 09:10

[ChrisDB7]

Mako V12V said:

You could try spraying them with WD40?

Expect to recieve a damage claim from my solicitor

Seriously, never underestimate the stupidity of the internet!

[Mako V12V]

lime1 said:

Mako V12V said:

You could try spraying them with WD40?

Might stop the discs from rusting but I expect it will also affect your ability to stop the car. Not a good idea to contaminate your discs with any sort of lubricant. Expect that was a tongue in cheek suggestion

and

ChrisDB7 said:

Expect to recieve a damage claim from my solicitor

Seriously, never underestimate the stupidity of the internet!

Even an accountant such as myself with very limited knowledge outside of doing sums realises WD40 may not be the best solution here hence the
in my original post.

Note to mods - can you create a "tongue in cheek" smiley

[cayman-black]

What will help is after washing it go for a short drive to dry the discs, wipe it car over again then put the cover on. If when it rains the cover does not completely cover the wheels this will cause the disc,s to rust!
(Kept a few cars outside with a good car cover)

[MrOrange]

JohnG1 said:

CCM don't get affected by weather. They just look mean and moody in all weathers!

I think you'll find CCM are porous and can absorb quite a lot of water, I recall being quite alarmed actually how much water they can hold.