Hey guys/gals,

I polished my brake calipers with sandpaper and a dremel. They turned out fantastic!

However I have a problem....it appears that spots of the caliper surface are turning an orange shade (rust).

I thought that these calipers were aluminum and therefore shouldn't be rusting.

Has anyone had any experience with this? I'm pretty upset about it to be honest as I was not expecting it. I hope I haven't made a mistake by sanding them now

The rust seems to come of fairly easily so I'm wondering if its a case simliar to with stainless steel exhausts (oxidation) that needs to be removed (ie. with brake cleaner or something)?

Thanks for any help!
Danny

 

I highly doubt they are aluminum.

 

I wanted to do this as well but now that you seem to have rust,I guess it's a no go for me I want to paint calipers but I've heard of people who's are chipping. I don't like doing stuff twice. Like my rotors..but that's another story

 

+1

I would think that after you polish them that you need to apply a layer or two of clearcoat.

 

^ +1. That would be the only way to keep them from rusting.

 

Has anyone else tried this? What were your results?

Anyone cleared polished calipers?

Thanks,
Danny

 

Oh, and one other question: Should they not have rusted normally on our cars even without sanding? I understand that sanding can make it worse, but we don't typically see rust on our brake calipers? They seem to pit and turn black but that's about it.

 

I think maybe you should just paint them. Sanding would just be time consuming without satisfactory results, IMO.

 

First off, is the rust coming from the calipers or is it deposited on the calipers?
The discs are not aluminum.
Only way?
My car's axle tubes don't have rust. Why should the polished calipers?
It has never seen rain.

 

I clear coated my rotors w/VHT 900 and on the first trip out ,they yellowed. So I would never clear coat again in that area. JMO

 

The front calipers are aluminum. The rears are cast iron.

Dave Kegel

 

Dave, the large portion of the front caliper does not seem to be rusting which supports what you're saying.

I think I may use rust eater (liquid in a bottle which takes the rust right off) and then clear coat them.

I bought Duplicolour clear for use on rims. That may be my next move.

 

That was my thought.....the rust is being deposited on the calipers. But you can't wipe it off with your finger...it definately seems to be from the caliper itself.

 

yup.