how to clean brake rotors without removing wheel

Hidalgo Peres1993 · Wednesday, December 15, 2021

11-10-2010,09:34 AM #1

Regular Member

Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

I have been using the wheel cleaner with the daytona brush with some success, was wondering if anyone had any other secrets to keeping the rotors clean without removing the wheels, thanks for any help, Scott "scrib13"

Loving Life in my 2010 Crystal Red Grand Sport! "scrib13"
11-10-2010,09:52 AM #2

Super Member

Re: Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

Um, do you mean the rotors or the calipers?
11-10-2010,09:59 AM #3

Super Member

Re: Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

By chance, do you mean the calipers? If you're actually talking about rotors, there's not a whole lot you can do to keep them "clean." The first time you brake while driving will remove the surface rust that forms from getting wet. The outside edge of the rotor will naturally rust if they aren't coated/plated, but you can always take the wheels off and hit those areas with a wire wheel.
I'm really thinking you mean the calipers, which in that case, you'll just want to get a few miscellaneous brushes that will fit between the spokes of the wheel, but can still get to all of the surface areas of the caliper, and use either soapy water, or a wheel cleaner that is safe for all wheels. I've seen a lot of people using P21S wheel gel.

Mark
11-10-2010,10:10 AM #4

Regular Member

Re: Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

thanks and I did mean rotors, hate the rusty look on the rotors but maybe that is there just when I wash and notice it then. If you want to give some ideas on the calipers great but I was looking at the rotors, thanks for your help, Scott

Loving Life in my 2010 Crystal Red Grand Sport! "scrib13"
11-10-2010,10:12 AM #5

Super Member

Re: Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

You should have gotten the CF or ceramic rotor option--no rust for those!
11-10-2010,11:07 AM #6

Super Member

Re: Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

Like I mentioned in my first response, that rust will come off with the first time you apply the brakes after a drive. If you want to wash the car and have it look good in your garage, take a quick trip up and down your street. The couple of times you hit your brakes will clear off all of that surface rust. Without taking a wire wheel to them, I doubt you'll find anything that will remove the rust without taking the wheels off and/or causing that rust to end up all over the inside of your wheels. Some manufacturers will offer different types of coatings that will resist surface rust. One popular option is a zinc washing. You may be able to find a local company that will do this to your existing rotors if you want to pull them and take them in. Look for a local powdercoating company as they often times offer these types of services as well.
Mark
11-10-2010,05:49 PM #7

Regular Member

Re: Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

thansk for the info, will test the driving down the road braking solution, hope that does it, the rust color drives me nuts, thanks again for the responses. Scott

Loving Life in my 2010 Crystal Red Grand Sport! "scrib13"
11-10-2010,08:34 PM #8

Super Member

Re: Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

Originally Posted by Y2KSVT

By chance, do you mean the calipers? If you're actually talking about rotors, there's not a whole lot you can do to keep them "clean." The first time you brake while driving will remove the surface rust that forms from getting wet. The outside edge of the rotor will naturally rust if they aren't coated/plated, but you can always take the wheels off and hit those areas with a wire wheel.

Mark

2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4x: Avalanche White
2006 Nissan 350Z Touring 6MT: Redline Red
11-10-2010,09:29 PM #9

Super Member

Re: Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

My F150 does the same thing and the above answers are the way to go. You can't really do anything about the rotors unless you just won the lotto.
11-10-2010,09:47 PM #10

Super Member

Re: Best way to clean rotors with wheels on!

Originally Posted by scrib13

thansk for the info, will test the driving down the road braking solution, hope that does it, the rust color drives me nuts, thanks again for the responses. Scott

You can blow dry them with a leaf blower.