All,
I am thinking of spraying on this Eastwood Cold Galvanizing zinc compound http://tinyurl.com/36nyct, on my new uninstalled front and rear disc brake rotors. This is in an attempt to prevent rust while the truck is not in use, parked outside (SE WI), as well as with road salt. I talked with an old timer, who swears this stuff keeps the rust off his rotors? My concern is; if the zinc coating will contaminate the brake pad surface, and prohibit proper braking? Anyone have any suggestions for keeping rotor rust at bay, in the rust belt??? Besides moving to the west coast TIA!

 

It may keep the body of the rotor from rusting but IMO it won't do anything for the rotor's brake pad surface. I have all ideas it will be removed with the first application of the brakes most likely fouling the pads.

 

I agree with BC. Any coating put on the brake surface can cause less effective braking or uncontrolable braking. I'm sure you have experienced brake fluid on the brakes before. They get uncontrollably grabby. High temp paint on the surfaces that the pads do not touch would help. I don't know how well Cold Galvanize will hold up to the heat. It has been my experience that rotors wear out before they can rust out, but I don't live in the rust belt. I have visited there and am totally amazed at the rapid deterioration of vehicles. Has anyone looked for stainless steel rotors? They are made for boat trailers but I don't know if they could be made for trucks or how expensive they would be. Everything for a boat is more expensive so the price may be attainable if the market was there.

 

BC and Boatnik,
Thanks for the input! I agree, I think the galvanized paint would be wiped off the rotor face, and foul the brake pad surface. I think coating the middle of the rotor, the gap between the front and rear face, with high temp paint - will help with rust. The rotors on my 93 were severely rusted in the middle gap. I don't know how old they are, as they were on the rig when I bought it last June 06? Boatnik, here in the midwest - brake rotor rusting is more of an issue than normal wear. Seems like my rotors rust out, before they wear out! That's from all the salt they dump on the roads, at the first drop of snow I even power wash my rig every month in the winter, and it doesn't seem to help. You guys/gals in the south and west are sure lucky

 

I honestly believe that the vehicle manufacturers are in cahoots with whoever decides when to salt.

 

i am really glad my truck is from florida and will probably never see salt.

 

Rust? Whats that-----, AZ is awesome for preserving vehicles.