Raybestos rotor and caliper coatings are worthless

[MNgopher]

The coating is a zinc and aluminum type coating - not a paint or powdercoat, etc... Iron Decon certainly could have a bad result on that, and it sure looks like it did.

I've used coated rotors on multiple vehicles - had one on a set of AC Delco's that went for 8+ years and many miles and still looked pretty good - even through Minnesota winters.

 

[billt460]

You're not supposed to clean the rotors before installing them.

I thought you had to because they were coated with rust inhibitor, and you shouldn't get that on the new pads?

 

[Trav]

Only the non coated rotors that are coated with oil to prevent box rusting need to cleaned first.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I thought you had to because they were coated with rust inhibitor, and you shouldn't get that on the new pads?

there is nothing wrong with the pads brushing on the rust inhibitor. The pads will sweep it off of course, but that is not a problem because the pads always sweep off the rust in a regularly-driven car.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Gosh you guys are tough dealing with that rust. My '65 4-4-2 has a tiny amount of contamination at the base of the rear window; all tha A bodies have this problem. That's it.

 

[HangFire]

For those who keep saying that NAPA Ultra Premium and Element3 rotors are the same thing... I've had NAPA UP's for years, and they all look better than that.

 

[Hall]

For those who keep saying that NAPA Ultra Premium and Element3 rotors are the same thing... I've had NAPA UP's for years, and they all look better than that.

This is NOT normal for those rotors

 

[Snagglefoot]

Here the info on Element 3.

 

[billt460]

I didn't even know they had "Iron Remover" for cleaning wheels. What is the purpose of it, when the rotors right behind it are made of cast iron?

Dirt just lays on wheels. It's not absorbed into it like it is clothing. I've never used anything but soap and water on my aluminum wheels. The same stuff I wash the car with. I just fill a second bucket.

I'll use Wesley's Bleach White on the rubber with a scrub brush. It works well at taking off all of that brown oxidized rubber and all the dirt. And it really makes white letters white. But the wheels simply wash clean as can be with car wash detergent.

 

[Trav]

This is NOT normal for those rotors

+1 No it isn't, people spray all sorts of chemicals on the wheels and use high pressure hoses at car washes on them, the high pressure lifts the caliper pin rubber and gets water in there, the next thing is "my calipers are sticking".

 

[Trav]

Except I cleaned and detailed the wheels when I was doing the brakes and had them off the truck.

Maybe so but something sure got in between the wheel and hub, I bet the back of the wheel in that area is also corroded, clean it and use anti seize next time.

 

[chemman]

If atikovi used Meguiar's D1801 Wheel and Paint Iron DECON, I just looked at both the ingredient list and MSDS, and one of the ingredients is a salt of a weak acid and a weak base (whether it's an acid or a base depends on the environment it is in). Hence, if the product was used in the wheel well area and not thoroughly and completely rinsed off, enough could stay behind and as it evaporates off, it could deposit on the rotors and brake calipers.

In my opinion (as a Ph.D. Chemist), the product left enough residue behind and managed to find it's way onto the rotor(s) and caliper(s), and oxidized the surfaces as shown in the pictures.

 

[billt460]

I'm still trying to understand the logic of where an "Iron Remover" needs to be used to clean ANY type of wheel? When plain soap and water will clean them just as good, without all of the risk of something like this happening.

 

[demarpaint]

I'm still trying to understand the logic of where an "Iron Remover" needs to be used to clean ANY type of wheel? When plain soap and water will clean them just as good, without all of the risk of something like this happening.

I guess it's like Nano Particles. Sex sells, and words sell too.............

 

[vwmaniaman]

I got some Raybestos rear drums for my 1990 Ranger. I checked the balance on them on my bubble wheel balancer after I drove my truck with the new ones on it. It shook so bad I thought something was wrong. Pulled the wheels and they were fine. Pulled the drums and checked them and they were way off. I put the old ones back on after checking them. They were perfect. I don't trust Raybestos anymore.

 

[atikovi]

I'm still trying to understand the logic of where an "Iron Remover" needs to be used to clean ANY type of wheel? When plain soap and water will clean them just as good, without all of the risk of something like this happening.

Semi-metallic brake pads contain iron particles that fly off as they wear and coat the wheel or get embedded in the surface. No soap and water will remove that. You need an iron remover.

 

[The Critic]

I have used hydrofluoric wheel acid and “iron removers” on multiple brands of calipers and rotors. Some OE, some aftermarket. Never seen this happen. So, I think this is due to an unrelated issue with the finish.

 

[Sayjac]

I've got Raybestos RPT rotors (now called Element 3) that are at least 3&1/2 years in service, and they look far better than topic. The exposed part of the hats showing rust in OP, coating here still looks new. I remain satisfied.

 

[Trav]

I have used hydrofluoric wheel acid and “iron removers” on multiple brands of calipers and rotors. Some OE, some aftermarket. Never seen this happen. So, I think this is due to an unrelated issue with the finish.

Even with no coating rust is not an issue of any sort where you are. Bring it up here and see.

 

[billt460]

Semi-metallic brake pads contain iron particles that fly off as they wear and coat the wheel or get embedded in the surface. No soap and water will remove that. You need an iron remover.

With all of the wheels and metallic brake pads that are currently in use out there in the automotive world, how many do you think are being cleaned with an, "Iron Remover"? I'll bet it isn't 1%, if that.

This is the first I've ever heard of it. And I don't know anyone who uses it. And out here it rarely rains. The only water most wheels see is from a hose when they get washed. Lot's of shiny wheels around these parts.