So usually I have my Sundays free, I decided to be a little productive and do some cleaning up of the rotors on my Solstice. I remember when I got the car the rotors looked pristine but over the past 9 months they have gotten rusty in spots
Driverside Rear rotor
Driverside Rear rotor closeup
Driverside Front rotor
Driverside Front rotor closeup
The Front rotors were the worst due to the deep groove that was a cropfield for rust.
Before I got started I went and picked up some supplies that I didn't have, but were much needed for the project
-Caliper/Rotor paint -Silver (also available in Red, Black, Yellow)
-Wire brush assortment - nylon, brass and stainless steel
-automotive painter tape (masking tape)
Other supplies that you will need
-Cleaner/Degreaser (Simple Green, Purple Power, etc)
-water hose to rinse away the grime
-masking material (newspaper, plastic dropcloth)
-plastic bags - cover the caliper
-car cover - to avoid overspray on the paint.
-Well ventilated area
First thing I had to do was remove the wheels to get to the rotors. Using a lowprofile jack and just the rear lift puck I was able to raise the entire side of the car. I chocked the wheels on the opposite side and engaged the e-brake for safety.
Once the wheels were off I could begin the cleaning. Sprayed the area down with water and then hit it with Simple Green. I cleaned the entire wheel well, suspension, A-arm and any other visible components since the wheel was off, might as well have.
Cleaning of the rotor consisted of using the degreaser and then agitating all the areas that I wanted to paint with the nylon brush. Any of the heavy rust areas got the Brass brush cleaning.
Once it was cleaned I dried it using my B&D Leafhog that I use to dry after a wash. Must be completely dry!
Once everything is dry you can begin masking off everything. Cover all the detail areas on the rotor and caliper with the tape. Don't mask the tape too close to the edge, leave a little area for the paint to run onto. This will all get taken off during braking and give a better finish line.
Then you want to cover the wheel well with the newspaper. Adjust your car cover(s) as needed to allow you room to work.
First coat allowing 10 minutes to dry between coats.
(optional)During the time that the coat is drying, I would clean the wheel that I have taken off. Cleaning the inner wheel and face with a solution of car wash soap and water
Second coat, can't really tell much of a difference but the more coats the more durable the finish.
After the second coat dries, remove the masking. Yes it looks rough, but after a few times of using the brakes, they will edge up nicely.
NOTE: There will be a section of the rear rotor under the caliper that is unpainted. After all the wheels are back on, just move the car forward until that area is exposed. Spray some of the paint into a disposable cup and using a small paint brush, just brush the paint onto the rotor carefully.
Put the wheel back on and remember to torque the lugs once the wheels are set down
Now repeat the process for the front.
Clean, mask and paint. With the front you can manually turn the rotor after you complete the first two coats on the exposed area. Remove the tape from the area that will be moving into the caliper and the turn the rotor, once the unpainted area is exposed mask it off and paint away
The entire process of cleaning masking and painting each rotor took me a total of 6 hours with the occasional water break.
After you have all the wheels back on go for a short drive and brake hard on a couple stops.
then they will look like this
Rear Rotor
Front Rotor
Good luck to all that paint their rotors and remember, this is only how I did it with minimal supplies (the cheap way) and I'm sure there is a more detailed way to do it, but this way saves some time (removing calipers) and works just as good.
Disclaimer: Individual results may vary
coming soon....caliper painting
