Combating Steel Rotor Rust after a Wash

CSanto · 08-18-2009, 12:54 PM

Does anyone have any tips on how to wash my wheels without rusting the rotor?
I have satin black finish on my wheels, and immediately after I was my car and brake the rust gets all over them and its very noticeable.
Its driving me crazy to say the least. Any tips would be appreciated.

Chris

SUB-ZERO · 08-18-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HREM3

Does anyone have any tips on how to wash my wheels without rusting the rotor?
I have satin black finish on my wheels, and immediately after I was my car and brake the rust gets all over them and its very noticeable.
Its driving me crazy to say the least. Any tips would be appreciated.

Chris

Chris,

This is normal to just about every car/rotor, unless of course, you have carbon ceramic. What I do, after I wash and dry my ///M3, I move the car a few feet forward (gently using the brake)and backwards until the brake pads have come in contact with the rotor, thus removing the surface oxidation.

-SZ

CSanto · 08-18-2009, 01:06 PM

Doesn't this oxidation still get all over your rims?

SUB-ZERO · 08-18-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HREM3

Doesn't this oxidation still get all over your rims?

No...it should just be on your steel rotors. The wheels are aluminum and coated...you should not have rust on your wheels.

-SZ

bigjae1976 · 08-18-2009, 02:11 PM

Stop washing your wheels?

Seriously, it is pretty much unavoidable.

Singletrack · 08-18-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HREM3

Does anyone have any tips on how to wash my wheels without rusting the rotor?
I have satin black finish on my wheels, and immediately after I was my car and brake the rust gets all over them and its very noticeable.
Its driving me crazy to say the least. Any tips would be appreciated.

Chris

I haven't found a particularly good solution. What I did last time was to wash the entire car, then take it for a spin around the block to get all the rust off. I then used quick detailer and a soft towel to wipe off the rust-juice all over the inside of the wheels. I tried blowing/sucking it out with a shop vac, but that was a failure.

One thing is for certain - do NOT put any tire dressing on before getting the rust off. You will end up with rust held to the tires by the dressing. Ugh.

Interested in other tips here as well...

eclipsisNA · 08-18-2009, 03:56 PM

I take the wheels off the car and wash them after washing the car. Drive the car a little bit before removing the wheels though.

M3FOR4 · 08-18-2009, 04:19 PM

[QUOTE=Singletrack;5717853]I haven't found a particularly good solution. What I did last time was to wash the entire car, then take it for a spin around the block to get all the rust off. I then used quick detailer and a soft towel to wipe off the rust-juice all over the inside of the wheels. I tried blowing/sucking it out with a shop vac, but that was a failure.

One thing is for certain - do NOT put any tire dressing on before getting the rust off. You will end up with rust held to the tires by the dressing. Ugh.

This is exactly what I do.
A short drive and some QD to the wheels with clean cloth and then some 303 on the tires.

Georgeair · 08-24-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eclipse Motors

I take the wheels off the car and wash them after washing the car.

Each time you wash it?

You guys really make me feel like a car-care slacker sometimes.....

eclipsisNA · 08-24-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgeair

Each time you wash it?

You guys really make me feel like a car-care slacker sometimes.....

Yep, each time I wash it. If I don't, there's no way to combat rotor dust.

akina335 · 08-27-2009, 02:39 PM

The use of P21S wheel cleaner lessens the amount of rust. At least in my case it does.

M3ltdown · 08-27-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akina335

The use of P21S wheel cleaner lessens the amount of rust. At least in my case it does.

how? i use p21s too but you still gotta wash it with water. it's the water on the rotors that causes the rust.

i need to start taking off my wheels when i clean the car.

foosh · 08-27-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgeair

Each time you wash it?

You guys really make me feel like a car-care slacker sometimes.....

No, you're just sane.

akina335 · 08-27-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darwin316

how? i use p21s too but you still gotta wash it with water. it's the water on the rotors that causes the rust.

i need to start taking off my wheels when i clean the car.

it just does. i know how how rusts develops. i spray my wheels with p21s, rinse it off and there is noticeably less rust on my rotors. try it.

CSanto · 08-27-2009, 03:27 PM

okay, I came up with a solution. I wash my car, dry it and let the car sit for a little, then i take it for a spin around the block brake nicely to get all the rust off then clean the wheels with a instant detailer and some shop towels. done deal. Man, black wheels are a B.

AMPowerJ · 08-27-2009, 03:49 PM

I am thinking about getting one of these. It would do the trick.

http://www.cardryer.com/Cardryer.html

Ben335 · 08-27-2009, 08:40 PM

Wash the car, let it dry a bit, then drive it to get the rust off the rotors. Use a high speed leaf blower to blow off the rust dust. Works everytime for me.

JohnnyRoaster · 08-28-2009, 12:24 AM

My wife already thinks I'm a nut. If I start taking my wheels off every time I wash my car she will have me commited for sure.

stylinexpat · 08-28-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eclipse Motors

Yep, each time I wash it. If I don't, there's no way to combat rotor dust.

And those that drive their cars in Germany? That's a lot of work to lift up the car and take each wheel off to clean and then put back on. Right way to do it but just a lot of work.

swamp2 · 08-28-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singletrack

I haven't found a particularly good solution. What I did last time was to wash the entire car, then take it for a spin around the block to get all the rust off. I then used quick detailer and a soft towel to wipe off the rust-juice all over the inside of the wheels.

Yup, my approach as well. Rotors can really rust a lot in the time between the time you complete the wheel wash and then finish drying the entire car and perhaps a quick window/interior clean. Just one my attention to detail thing you have to do to get a good cleaning/detail.

kenwelch · 08-28-2009, 11:11 AM

Sorry guys I couldn't help myself, I know this is a little out there. These "brake fade" pictures were shared yesterday by a fellow instructor.
I do not know their origin, but thought you might enjoy the rust.

Singletrack · 08-28-2009, 01:53 PM

LOL! That person should not be allowed to drive! Can you imagine the noise and rust on the wheels before they finally took action...talk about unsafe. That tech must have been laughing his ass off.

08-18-2009, 12:54 PM	#1
CSanto Brigadier General 636 Rep 3,039 Posts Drives: 2015 BSM/SO M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	Combating Steel Rotor Rust after a Wash Does anyone have any tips on how to wash my wheels without rusting the rotor? I have satin black finish on my wheels, and immediately after I was my car and brake the rust gets all over them and its very noticeable. Its driving me crazy to say the least. Any tips would be appreciated. Chris
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08-18-2009, 01:06 PM	#3
CSanto Brigadier General 636 Rep 3,039 Posts Drives: 2015 BSM/SO M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	Doesn't this oxidation still get all over your rims?
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08-18-2009, 02:11 PM	#5
bigjae1976 Major General 1571 Rep 8,076 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	Stop washing your wheels? Seriously, it is pretty much unavoidable. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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08-18-2009, 03:56 PM	#7
eclipsisNA Colonel 350 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 BMW 428i [7.76]	I take the wheels off the car and wash them after washing the car. Drive the car a little bit before removing the wheels though.
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08-18-2009, 04:19 PM	#8
M3FOR4 Private 2 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	[QUOTE=Singletrack;5717853]I haven't found a particularly good solution. What I did last time was to wash the entire car, then take it for a spin around the block to get all the rust off. I then used quick detailer and a soft towel to wipe off the rust-juice all over the inside of the wheels. I tried blowing/sucking it out with a shop vac, but that was a failure. One thing is for certain - do NOT put any tire dressing on before getting the rust off. You will end up with rust held to the tires by the dressing. Ugh. This is exactly what I do. A short drive and some QD to the wheels with clean cloth and then some 303 on the tires.
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08-27-2009, 02:39 PM	#11
akina335 Second Lieutenant 60 Rep 277 Posts Drives: a car Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	The use of P21S wheel cleaner lessens the amount of rust. At least in my case it does. __________________
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08-27-2009, 03:27 PM	#15
CSanto Brigadier General 636 Rep 3,039 Posts Drives: 2015 BSM/SO M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	okay, I came up with a solution. I wash my car, dry it and let the car sit for a little, then i take it for a spin around the block brake nicely to get all the rust off then clean the wheels with a instant detailer and some shop towels. done deal. Man, black wheels are a B.
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08-27-2009, 03:49 PM	#16
AMPowerJ One mod leads to another ... 416 Rep 2,900 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blythewood, SC iTrader: (10)	I am thinking about getting one of these. It would do the trick. http://www.cardryer.com/Cardryer.html __________________ Current: 2014 F10 M5 Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3
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08-27-2009, 08:40 PM	#17
Ben335 Captain 46 Rep 891 Posts Drives: 09 M3 Finally here Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (2)	Wash the car, let it dry a bit, then drive it to get the rust off the rotors. Use a high speed leaf blower to blow off the rust dust. Works everytime for me. __________________ 09 SG E90, Black on Carbon Leather, Tech, Premium, Cold, iPod, Premium Sound, 19s, OEM Alarm, PDC, Moonroof, Sirius Eisenmann Sport / Eibach Springs / 35% F1 Pinnacle Tint / Macht Schnell Air Filter / LUX Angel Eyes / Black Grill / AA Pulley / Powerchip Stage II Tune / Fabspeed X-Pipe & HFC / RAC Monolites RG63
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08-28-2009, 12:24 AM	#18
JohnnyRoaster Captain 42 Rep 959 Posts Drives: 09 Jerez Black M3 Sedan Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Outside Beantown iTrader: (0)	My wife already thinks I'm a nut. If I start taking my wheels off every time I wash my car she will have me commited for sure. __________________
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08-28-2009, 11:11 AM	#21
kenwelch Lieutenant 96 Rep 545 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 M-DCT & 2017 440GC Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mission Viejo, CA iTrader: (0)	Sorry guys I couldn't help myself, I know this is a little out there. These "brake fade" pictures were shared yesterday by a fellow instructor. I do not know their origin, but thought you might enjoy the rust. Attached Images
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08-28-2009, 01:53 PM	#22
Singletrack 4th down; 4th quarter? Renegade. 87 Rep 3,850 Posts Drives: 09 SSII E92 M3; 19 FG M5C Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (3)	LOL! That person should not be allowed to drive! Can you imagine the noise and rust on the wheels before they finally took action...talk about unsafe. That tech must have been laughing his ass off.
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