Have always installed new brake rotors on my cars as is right out of the boxes, until today I saw a few videos on YouTube that people spray them down with brake cleaner then wipe down. Is that a common practice? or something not that common?
Clean new brake rotor with brake cleaner before install?
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Yes spray them to take off the machining / shipping protectant.
The steel ones come with an oil spray as anti-rust. I like to warsh them with dish soap, which I use to warsh the wheels while I have them off.
I understand the coated rotors can be installed right out of the box.
I understand the coated rotors can be installed right out of the box.
It depends. If they're covered in "oil", they'll need cleaned off. I haven't seen these in a few years though, but maybe it's because I've been using Raybestos EHT rotors. Those rotors come in heavy, plastic bags and the rotors are completely "dry", so no need to clean them off. I think they box they come in also say that no cleaning is necessary.
Yes they come with an anti rust coating. ( Lots of salt water while on the boat). It needs to be removed
For most rotors, yes, but there are exceptions.
DO NOT spray any brake cleaner on Geomet coated rotors! If the rotor has a matte silver appearance and is fully coated, do not spray brake cleaner on it! This includes clones such as Raybestos Element 3 coated rotors.
DO NOT spray any brake cleaner on Geomet coated rotors! If the rotor has a matte silver appearance and is fully coated, do not spray brake cleaner on it! This includes clones such as Raybestos Element 3 coated rotors.
Warm water with a dash of DAWN…….
the coatings are gone after a few applications of the brakes anyway
So what happen if you do, say, clean the brake caliper during pad changes?
Just clean the face of the rotor anyway. Even they admit it goes away after the first few miles. Besides proper installation, the most important step of a brake job is proper material transfer (bedding). It's required for best stopping performance, brake pad longevity, and noise.
The coating won't last as long.
Just clean the face of the rotor anyway. Even they admit it goes away after the first few miles. Besides proper installation, the most important step of a brake job is proper material transfer (bedding). It's required for best stopping performance, brake pad longevity, and noise.
That is the swept area's coating that goes away after the first few miles.
The rest of the coating, on the non-friction surfaces, will last 2-3 years if you don't spray the rotor. If you spray the rotor with brake cleaner, that coating will only last a few months.
Yeah, the face.
Something is always on the rotor to prevent rust. Worst case, you installed pads that became quickly contaminated with some preservation substance.. I use brake cleaner and install.
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So you wash them or warsh them?
People say, "warsh" for wash and, "pawrs" for paws (dog's feet) frequently.
Typing it and ignoring the red underline is something else.
Typing it and ignoring the red underline is something else.
Brakleen spray works for me. Pads don’t get contaminated from the rotor coatings. Spray and let them air dry for a few minutes. Not really a difficult procendure.
Procedure, that is, not procendure.
I also spray the hub after sanding/grinding where the rotor meets flush with it.
I also spray the hub after sanding/grinding where the rotor meets flush with it.
+1 - if it feels oily the warm water & Dawn. No need to use brake cleaner.
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