Getting rid of rust on rotors-hubs and calipers

psnt1ol · 03-25-2011, 08:13 PM

Many posts suggested that I should take the tires off and sand. I live in S.F and there are just too many hills here to jack my car up (one wheel at a time). My garage is barely big enough for my car. If I was to DIY this, I have to think of something else.

I have to sand with the tires on by hand. Ouch!!!!!!

This is what I did. I used a non-acid base, organic, and bio-degradable rust remover. It was also safe to be used on painted surfaces and metals. I tested it around the house on several surfaces and indeed it was safe. It was simply spray on then rise off with a hose.

After this, I use a 1000 g wet/dry sandpaper on the hubs and calipers by hand. The rust came off on the first 2 wipes. Basically, I used the sandpaper to wipe down the hubs and the calipers.

Don't get me wrong. This still wasn't easy nor fast but it is all I can do under my circumstances.

TXe92 · 03-25-2011, 08:16 PM

pics? I was literally going to try this tomorrow..

psnt1ol · 03-25-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXe92

pics? I was literally going to try this tomorrow..

Sorry. I don't have the before since I weren't sure how this would go.

TXe92 · 03-25-2011, 08:33 PM

was it pretty bad.. mines horrendous

psnt1ol · 03-25-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXe92

was it pretty bad.. mines horrendous

Yes, it was. Never had a car that has more brake dust and rust on hubs.

e92stance · 03-25-2011, 11:33 PM

Thats why I got New anodized slotted and c-drilled rotors from Supreme Power with Hawk pads!!! They are sooooooooooo much better looking and lots cheaper then oem replacement.

psnt1ol · 03-26-2011, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92stance

Thats why I got New anodized slotted and c-drilled rotors from Supreme Power with Hawk pads!!! They are sooooooooooo much better looking and lots cheaper then oem replacement.

I definitely keep this in mind. I can't imagine I could do this on a regular basis.

Craig@SupremePower · 03-26-2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psnt1ol

I definitely keep this in mind. I can't imagine I could do this on a regular basis.

u could always paint em silver now...

TXe92 · 03-26-2011, 10:22 AM

I will do this in a few hours.. I;ll take before and after pictures..

psnt1ol · 03-26-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXe92

I will do this in a few hours.. I;ll take before and after pictures..

Good luck!!! Have Fun.... There was a post ( I forgot where it was) where the owner would put a coat of WD40 on the hub to both protect it from the elements and to keep the rust from coming back. I also did this as a preventive measure. As far as painting it silver, great idea but I will have to take it somewhere and have it done. My garage is the size of a large walk-in closet.

TXe92 · 03-26-2011, 12:14 PM

I do want to paint mine too.. but its a PITA.. cant leave the car on the stand that long.. im hoping this will only take me an hour..

thkfast · 03-27-2011, 03:12 PM

Speaking of rust on rotors...I'll show you this mornings project. I know some of you are gonna

when you see the GOLD calipers, but that's what I went with. The hubs were shot with CAST IRON colored high temp engine paint and the calipers with Duplicolor GOLD METALLIC. Hopefully the photos show a good BEFORE & AFTER.

Warning: It's graphic.

TXe92 · 03-27-2011, 04:05 PM

I like it! and my project was unsuccessful.. cant really get in there with just my hand.. need to get the car on some stand and remove the wheel to do a decent job

psnt1ol · 03-27-2011, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thkfast

Speaking of rust on rotors...I'll show you this mornings project. I know some of you are gonna

when you see the GOLD calipers, but that's what I went with. The hubs were shot with CAST IRON colored high temp engine paint and the calipers with Duplicolor GOLD METALLIC. Hopefully the photos show a good BEFORE & AFTER.

Warning: It's graphic.

Looks great!!!!! I wish I could DIY this. I don't have enough space in the garage. I am planning on taking the car to a shop and have this done.

Tex,
Sorry to hear about your project. I did managed to get 99% of the rust off the hubs and rotors without taking the tires off but I forgot to mentioned that you need small hands.

TXe92 · 03-28-2011, 12:33 PM

I dont think you understand how bad this rust is.. I will get some pictures up soon..

thkfast · 03-28-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXe92

I dont think you understand how bad this rust is.. I will get some pictures up soon..

Hey TX, like this? I don't know what they make that 2.5" center hub thing out of, but the rust on it is like 1/4" thick!

psnt1ol · 03-28-2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thkfast

Hey TX, like this? I don't know what they make that 2.5" center hub thing out of, but the rust on it is like 1/4" thick!

Wow!!!! That is nasty!!!! I am so sorry. I guess rust on rotor hubs is a fact of life for us Bimmer owners. BMW engineered the F#@K out of the motor and the drive train but when it comes to this----it looked like they took a holiday.

Did u ever get all the rust out???

TXe92 · 03-28-2011, 10:01 PM

nope.. way fkn worse ..

psnt1ol · 03-28-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXe92

nope.. way fkn worse ..

Ouch!!!!! You win!!!!

x26 · 03-28-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig@SupremePower

u could always paint em silver now...

That's the Ticket!!
Silver with a Gold Grills...

LEXX · 07-09-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psnt1ol

I used a non-acid base, organic, and bio-degradable rust remover. It was also safe to be used on painted surfaces and metals. I tested it around the house on several surfaces and indeed it was safe. It was simply spray on then rise off with a hose.

I googled caliper rust remover and this pops up but you never said the name of the spray you used. That doesnt help

03-25-2011, 08:13 PM	#1
psnt1ol Lieutenant 31 Rep 547 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: san francisco iTrader: (0)	Getting rid of rust on rotors-hubs and calipers Many posts suggested that I should take the tires off and sand. I live in S.F and there are just too many hills here to jack my car up (one wheel at a time). My garage is barely big enough for my car. If I was to DIY this, I have to think of something else. I have to sand with the tires on by hand. Ouch!!!!!! This is what I did. I used a non-acid base, organic, and bio-degradable rust remover. It was also safe to be used on painted surfaces and metals. I tested it around the house on several surfaces and indeed it was safe. It was simply spray on then rise off with a hose. After this, I use a 1000 g wet/dry sandpaper on the hubs and calipers by hand. The rust came off on the first 2 wipes. Basically, I used the sandpaper to wipe down the hubs and the calipers. Don't get me wrong. This still wasn't easy nor fast but it is all I can do under my circumstances. __________________ What is absolute control???? Having the means and the abilities to exercise it at will but....chooses not to.
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03-25-2011, 08:16 PM	#2
TXe92 Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Keller TX iTrader: (2)	pics? I was literally going to try this tomorrow..
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03-25-2011, 08:33 PM	#4
TXe92 Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Keller TX iTrader: (2)	was it pretty bad.. mines horrendous
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03-25-2011, 11:33 PM	#6
e92stance Banned 23 Rep 960 Posts Drives: e92 LCI 335 msport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Thats why I got New anodized slotted and c-drilled rotors from Supreme Power with Hawk pads!!! They are sooooooooooo much better looking and lots cheaper then oem replacement.
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03-26-2011, 10:22 AM	#9
TXe92 Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Keller TX iTrader: (2)	I will do this in a few hours.. I;ll take before and after pictures..
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03-26-2011, 12:14 PM	#11
TXe92 Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Keller TX iTrader: (2)	I do want to paint mine too.. but its a PITA.. cant leave the car on the stand that long.. im hoping this will only take me an hour..
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03-27-2011, 03:12 PM	#12
thkfast Major 261 Rep 1,029 Posts Drives: 2015 F82 M4 Sakhir Orange DCT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA iTrader: (1)	Speaking of rust on rotors...I'll show you this mornings project. I know some of you are gonna when you see the GOLD calipers, but that's what I went with. The hubs were shot with CAST IRON colored high temp engine paint and the calipers with Duplicolor GOLD METALLIC. Hopefully the photos show a good BEFORE & AFTER. Warning: It's graphic. __________________ "The likelihood of one individual being right increases in direct proportion to the intensity with which others attempt to prove him wrong." 2015 F82 M4 - Sakhir Orange Metallic 2013 E92 M3 / 2013 E92 335is / 2010 E90 335i / 2007 E90 335i
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03-27-2011, 04:05 PM	#13
TXe92 Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Keller TX iTrader: (2)	I like it! and my project was unsuccessful.. cant really get in there with just my hand.. need to get the car on some stand and remove the wheel to do a decent job
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03-28-2011, 12:33 PM	#15
TXe92 Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Keller TX iTrader: (2)	I dont think you understand how bad this rust is.. I will get some pictures up soon..
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03-28-2011, 10:01 PM	#18
TXe92 Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Keller TX iTrader: (2)	nope.. way fkn worse .. Attached Images Last edited by TXe92; 03-28-2011 at 10:14 PM..
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