Classic/Antique Car Repair/Rust on Rotors

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Expert: - 3/20/2008


Question
Brad,

Bought a new disc brake kit for my '64 Ford pickup.  My rotors have been sitting in the garage and accumulated some rust.  What is the best way to clean this off, without hurting the rotors?  I may be a little paranoid.

Thank you for your  help.
John


Answer
I would not worry about the rust on the braking surface as the pads will shine them up bright as a new penny. The hub area that will mount over the bearing hub should be cleaned with steel wool or sand paper before mounting so that they make a good flat contact. If you are going to paint any part of the rotor hub then prepare it as you would a body part. These rotors will accumulate a coating of surface rust each time that you park the truck for a few days and you may hear noise from the brake pads as they shine the rotor surface.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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