Rusty Brakes

Cheese ZL1 · 07-29-2024, 03:57 PM

My ZL1 tends to sit in a garage for long periods of time after I wash it. Any suggestions on how to prevent the brakes from getting rusty? I took it out Sunday, and they sounded and felt horrible… it improved after driving it for a while, but I want to prevent this from happening again.

cdb95z28 · 07-29-2024, 04:18 PM

The owners manual mentions this. The pads are semi-metallic, so when you wash it the pads can rust bond to the rotors. Best way to prevent it is to go drive it and get the brakes hot.

2023_ZL1-AUTO · 07-29-2024, 04:22 PM

Mine did the same, immediately after washing and I wash mine once a week. It happens with in about 30 minutes after washing and start drying. As soon as I drive mine a bit, the rust is gone, but I do end up with the rust/dust on the inside on the wheels. I now use my car dry on the disc brakes first and was able to cut down on the oxidation. This is the car dry I use:

Idaho2018GTPremium · 07-29-2024, 06:39 PM

After you wash it lightly ride the brakes when you pull it into the garage. It will work even better if you back up 30 ft then pull in, lightly riding the brakes the whole time. That gets all the rust off and prevents the pads from sticking to the rotors when it sits.

Cheese ZL1 · 07-29-2024, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

The owners manual mentions this. The pads are semi-metallic, so when you wash it the pads can rust bond to the rotors. Best way to prevent it is to go drive it and get the brakes hot.

unfortunately the roads are terrible in my area, soot defeats the purpose of washing my car, but thank you for the info.

Cheese ZL1 · 07-29-2024, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2023_ZL1-AUTO

Mine dies/did the same, immediately after washing and I wash mine once a week. It happens with in about 30 minutes after washing and start drying. As soon as I drive mine a bit, the rust is gone, but I do end up with the rust/dust on the inside on the wheels. I now use my car dry on the disc brakes first and was able to cut down on the oxidation. This is the car dry I use:

do you mind telling me what brand, and where you bought this dryer?

Cheese ZL1 · 07-29-2024, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idaho2018GTPremium

After you wash it lightly ride the brakes when you pull it into the garage. It will work even better if you back up 30 ft then pull in, lightly riding the brakes the whole time. That gets all the rust off and prevents the pads from sticking to the rotors when it sits.

I tried that on my corvette yesterday and that definitely helped. There is construction in my area so I hate to drive my car immediately after washing it.

Cheese ZL1 · 07-29-2024, 07:34 PM

Another question, what are you using for wheel cleaners?

ZLRob · 07-29-2024, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheese ZL1

Another question, what are you using for wheel cleaners?

Pressure washer to get the major crap off, car soap, and then pressure wash it all off again.

Gunkk · 07-29-2024, 09:00 PM

To avoid rotor rust, don't wash the car after driving when the brakes are hot. And don't put it away wet.

I use a battery powered leaf blower. Works great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheese ZL1

Another question, what are you using for wheel cleaners?

Ceramic and hydrophobic coatings. And powerstop z26 pads. Don't have to clean very often. When i do, Adams car shampoo and a microfiber towel does the job.

Streetrod782 · 07-29-2024, 09:27 PM

Spray Hyde’s rust serum on the rotors after you wash the wheels and like magic no more rust. Been using it for years and never had a rotor rust.

arpad_m · 07-29-2024, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheese ZL1

I tried that on my corvette yesterday and that definitely helped. There is construction in my area so I hate to drive my car immediately after washing it.

A short drive is enough to scrape off the surface rust and warm up the rotors a bit to make sure no moisture is retained. Heck you can just drive up and down your driveway or street a few times, riding the brakes when slowing down.

2023_ZL1-AUTO · 07-30-2024, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheese ZL1

do you mind telling me what brand, and where you bought this dryer?

I'll send you a PM soon as I don't want to hostage the OP's post!

I use Hyde's also!

Broooster · 07-30-2024, 05:07 PM

I wash my wheels 1st, separate bucket of water of course, then driving down the road and back just far enough to get the brakes heated up and dry. Then i wash my car and keep the water off of the wheels and rotors as much as possible. No rust issues, and my car will sit for a few days or whatever, depending on the weather and my work schedule.

07-29-2024, 03:57 PM	#1
Cheese ZL1 Drives: 23 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 65	Rusty Brakes My ZL1 tends to sit in a garage for long periods of time after I wash it. Any suggestions on how to prevent the brakes from getting rusty? I took it out Sunday, and they sounded and felt horrible… it improved after driving it for a while, but I want to prevent this from happening again.

07-29-2024, 04:18 PM	#2
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,747	The owners manual mentions this. The pads are semi-metallic, so when you wash it the pads can rust bond to the rotors. Best way to prevent it is to go drive it and get the brakes hot. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR2014 1SS 1LE NPP RECARO SIM-SOLD1995 Z28 M6 GSC PGM-SOLD1975 NOVA COUPE 300HP 350 TH350 FLASH RED-SOLD "KEEP THE FAITH"-Fbodfather

07-29-2024, 04:22 PM	#3
2023_ZL1-AUTO Drives: 2023 ZL1 - All Bolt On's Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 1,188	Mine did the same, immediately after washing and I wash mine once a week. It happens with in about 30 minutes after washing and start drying. As soon as I drive mine a bit, the rust is gone, but I do end up with the rust/dust on the inside on the wheels. I now use my car dry on the disc brakes first and was able to cut down on the oxidation. This is the car dry I use: Attached Images __________________ 2023 ZL1 A10-Stainless Works 2" Long Tubes & Legend NPP Axle Back•GESI UHO 4.5" CATs•RF BigGulp•Kong 103mm & X-Ported Blower•Griptech 2.30" Upper•ATI Super Damper w/9.45" Lower•THPSI Port Injection w/875cc Injectors•FI Interchillers Stage 2•Brisk RR14S Plugs•Granatelli Malevolent Coils•Katech Low Profile Billet Valve Covers•Katech Duel Fuel Pump•MM Wild 1000HP•DSX Flex Fuel Kit•DSX Billet Lid•DMS 2gal Fender Tank•BMR Cradle Lockout•Weld Solana 18x8 Fronts/17x10 Beadlocks MT ET ST R's•Unlocked TCM•E85=785rwhp/691rwtq +21psi \| 1/4=10.5005 @134.21 60ft=1.6182, 1/8=6.8373 @106.11 Last edited by 2023_ZL1-AUTO; 07-30-2024 at 06:39 AM.

07-29-2024, 06:39 PM	#4
Idaho2018GTPremium Drives: 2021 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,240	After you wash it lightly ride the brakes when you pull it into the garage. It will work even better if you back up 30 ft then pull in, lightly riding the brakes the whole time. That gets all the rust off and prevents the pads from sticking to the rotors when it sits. __________________ 2021 Camaro ZL1 A10 2022 GR Supra 3.0 Past: 2018 Mustang GT Premium w/ PP1, MR, and A10 2007 MazdaSpeed3 1995 Pontiac Trans Am 1987 Camaro Z28

07-29-2024, 07:34 PM	#8
Cheese ZL1 Drives: 23 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 65	Another question, what are you using for wheel cleaners?

07-29-2024, 09:27 PM	#11
Streetrod782 Drives: 2023 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: TN Posts: 47	Spray Hyde’s rust serum on the rotors after you wash the wheels and like magic no more rust. Been using it for years and never had a rotor rust.

07-30-2024, 05:07 PM	#14
Broooster Drives: Sharkskin Metallic ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: S.E. MI Posts: 92	I wash my wheels 1st, separate bucket of water of course, then driving down the road and back just far enough to get the brakes heated up and dry. Then i wash my car and keep the water off of the wheels and rotors as much as possible. No rust issues, and my car will sit for a few days or whatever, depending on the weather and my work schedule.

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