Congratulations on your new car! As you enjoy driving your shiny, new vehicle, it’s essential to take steps to protect and maintain it.
One area that requires special attention is the brake system, specifically the brake discs. If you live in an area with high humidity or experience frequent rain and snow, you may have noticed that your brake discs can develop rust spots.
Not only is this unsightly, but it can also affect the performance of your brakes. This tutorial will provide some tips and techniques for preventing rust from forming on your brake discs in a new car.
By following these simple steps, you can keep your brakes looking clean and in top condition. Let’s get started.
Contents
Keep Your New Car’s Brake Discs Rust-Free With These Tips
Your brake rotor may have surface rust, which is not a severe issue. As you usually drive, you will be able to remove surface rust.
In contrast, if the rust has caused pitting in the rotor, there is a much more significant problem at hand. After a car has sat for months, this usually takes place. Is rusting on your brake rotors something you want to avoid or reduce? You may want to consider the following tips:
Never Lubricate Squeaky Brakes
A rusted rotor can make a brief squeaking noise that usually disappears when the brake pads wipe it away. The friction side of your brake pads or the rotors should never be lubricated, no matter what is causing the squeaky brakes.
Keep Your Vehicle Clean
You can maintain your vehicle by washing it regularly because it removes dirt and other contaminants that get into places they shouldn’t. By routinely cleaning your vehicle, you can extend its overall working life.
Use A Garage
Keeping your car out of the elements, preferably in a garage or covered structure, can reduce the risk of rust forming on your brake rotors. Rust will be less likely to develop on your vehicle if you do this. It will keep your vehicle from being damaged by moisture buildup.
Choose Quality Rotors
It is also important to have quality rotors from the get-go. The best corrosion and rust protection comes from zinc-plated and Geomet(R) coated brake rotors.
Drive Your Vehicle
Regular driving your car will keep your brake rotors from rusting, even if you only go short distances. You won’t be able to accumulate oxidation when the surface rust is removed naturally by engaging your brakes.
All About Cleaning Brake Discs and Rust Prevention
There’s nothing wrong with smart alloy wheels, but with them, you can see straight through dirty brake calipers and discs.
But you don’t have to worry about this. This article provides tips on how to clean and prevent brake dust and how to clean your brakes.
What Removes Brake Dust?
It’s pretty damaging for your car’s paintwork and wheels to collect brake dust. Since it’s very abrasive, it causes this problem. Tiny metal particles are deposited between the brake pads and discs as you brake.
The dust accumulated over time can damage the paint on your car’s wheels because it is corrosive. So, you need to remove this dust, but how do you do it without scratching your car’s paintwork?
Cleaning your wheels with warm water and dishwashing liquid is the easiest way. To begin with, you should use a hose to spray off the dirt and dust. Otherwise, they may scratch the metal even further.
After that, clean the wheels using soapy water and a wheel brush. You should ensure you get into every nook and cranny of the house.
Using an old toothbrush would allow you to reach even the smallest corners. Afterward, hose the wheel down again and dry it with a terry cloth once you’ve removed most of the dirt.
How To Clean Rust Off Brake Discs?
As a result of their material – usually cast iron – and their position on your car, brake discs are quite prone to rust. Rust is difficult to prevent, but you can take steps to slow it down.
Your brake discs will become rust-free much faster if you drive your car. When you drive and regularly apply the brakes, the rust on the disc will scrape off and reveal the shiny metal underneath.
How To Clean Your Brakes?
To access the brakes, it is necessary to jack up and support the car on an axle stand. To clean the brakes individually, you might take the wheels off one at a time once the car is safely raised off the ground using the wheel nut.
When you remove the first wheel, you can fully access the brake disc by removing the brake caliper. By removing the caliper bolts, it should come off. The caliper should slide off as soon as the brake disc has been released.
Keep wiggling it until it becomes loose, making it easier to remove. You may now set aside the caliper.
If you take off the caliper, you can reach the brake disc for cleaning. You will have to install a few bolts to secure it. The disk should slide out when these are removed.
You can clean it by rubbing it with an old rag and using brake cleaning fluid. This is fairly normal; however, you may see a line of rust around the disc rim.
You should use your rag to gently wipe the disc’s surface after applying the brake cleaning fluid. As soon as you’ve cleaned the disc, you might want to inspect it for signs of wear.
As you’ve already taken the time to remove the disc, it’s worth putting in the effort. It is necessary to replace a brake disc if you notice heavy pitting or score marks on it.
You can replace it with the correct bolts if you’re satisfied with its condition. Ensure they are tightly fastened. You will also need to repeat this process for the other three wheels. It’s also possible to clean your brake calipers if you want.
In the same way as above, you can do this. The best way to remove tough dirt is with a wire brush. While cleaning the caliper, don’t damage the piston seal by accidentally spinning it around.
You should be well-ventilated and avoid breathing its fumes whenever you use brake cleaner. Additionally, you should avoid getting brake cleaner on your driveway as it will stain it.
Final Words
Unfortunately, brake dust will always occur because of how your brakes work. There is, however, a possibility of trying a brake dust shield. This gadget attaches to the inside of your wheel to keep dust off your wheel. You can easily install them at home since they come in packs of two.