New rotors have rusted up on car. Should I resurface?

MustangLX-5.0

Founding Member

Dec 2, 2000

856

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Lehigh Acres Fla.

Jan 12, 2010

#1

• Jan 12, 2010

• #1

So I did my brake job well over a year ago. The rotors have not been used, but they have accumulated some rust because I haven't been able to drive it just yet. Should I take them in to a shop to have them resurfaced, or do you think they will be fine if I just run some 100 grit sandpaper over them? Its not real heavy rust, but enough to cause an uneven wheel spin.

 

S

Sicarius428

Active Member

Jan 6, 2004

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Jan 12, 2010

#2

• Jan 12, 2010

• #2

Try driving them first I would say... As long as it's just surface rust your brakes will make them shiney fairly soon. Sanding them will probably cause an uneven surface...
Kevin

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Jan 12, 2010

#3

• Jan 12, 2010

• #3

I would try to clean up surface rust beforehand so you can properly burnish and bed-in the brake components (since they are brand new).

 

rd

Founding Member

Jan 12, 2000

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Ocean Springs MS

Jan 12, 2010

#4

• Jan 12, 2010

• #4

I would just drive them. Rotors rust every night. I can hear my Bullitt rotors squeaking on the first stop of the day sometimes.

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

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NJ

Jan 12, 2010

#5

• Jan 12, 2010

• #5

It's happened to me, just drive on them and they should be fine.
RD is right, if the car is outside they'll rust in just a few days.

 

68stang351

Founding Member

May 16, 2002

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Savoy TX

Jan 12, 2010

#6

• Jan 12, 2010

• #6

2000xp8 said:

It's happened to me, just drive on them and they should be fine.
RD is right, if the car is outside they'll rust in just a few days.

Click to expand...

Mine have gotten like that on my 04 sometimes during the day while I'm at work.

 

S&B

I hate my CT. :(

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Dec 18, 2005

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Cheesehead

Jan 12, 2010

#7

• Jan 12, 2010

• #7

Just drive it, unless its been 10 years im sure you'll be fine, if not wost case you have to buy new pads.

 

MustangLX-5.0

Founding Member

Dec 2, 2000

856

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Lehigh Acres Fla.

Jan 13, 2010

#8

• Jan 13, 2010

• #8

I am talking about a year and a halfs worth of rust. Its wet and humid down here at least half the year so this was why I asked. Thanks for all the advice, I believe I will take HISSIN's advice and scuff them up a little before driving. It seems like getting the rough spots off first will allow the pads to bed in the surface and even it out better.

 

SpartaPerformance

10 Year Member

Nov 5, 2006

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Long Island NY

Jan 13, 2010

#9

• Jan 13, 2010

• #9

scuffing is not good, you will ruin the surface. I'ld drive the rust off, if the rust is to the point where the surface is pitted then resurfacing wont help either, just remember to be as gentile as possible for the first 150 miles of stop and go driving.

 

beyondspexj

Member

Oct 30, 2009

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Las Vegas

Jan 13, 2010

#10

• Jan 13, 2010

• #10

i was thinking the same thing. if you scuff it, you will have an uneven surface.

 

N

njoliver

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Nov 25, 2009

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Columbus OH

Jan 14, 2010

#11

• Jan 14, 2010

• #11

I would recommend popping them off and spend a few bucks to resurface them if they are pretty bad, if they are real bad they will eat up the pads. I have resurfaced extremely rusty rotors before with out any problems. There could be a chance you might mess the rotor up or pads if they are extremely rusty. If they are not that bad might be able to lightly scuff them off, after a rotor is turned you scuff it up anyways to get rid of the directional surface so the pads do not walk and sqeak.