What to do about rust on rotors. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2012 ZL1#1658 · 09-08-2014, 10:50 AM

I have rust on my rotor heads of my ZL1. I've had this for a while now and have been trying to learn to deal with it. Having said that, it is something that I always notice when I go to car shows. I've called a local Chevy dealer buy me and he pretty much told me there is nothing I can do about it. Is that really the answer?

Mean Green Z28 · 09-08-2014, 11:08 AM

rust on the heads is normal but can be fixed by a good paint or powdercoat if you want it super duper

Typing fat fingered on my GS3...excuse any sfelling mitcakes

THR ZL1 #1 · 09-09-2014, 08:04 AM

After market two piece rotors or high heat engine or header paint.

SPOOKYGUNNER · 09-09-2014, 06:46 PM

I get surface rust when it rains. Just drive it and it goes away.

2012 ZL1#1658 · 09-09-2014, 07:11 PM

The rust occurs on the rotor hats. This is the part that does not get into contact with the brake pads.

Southern Comfort · 09-09-2014, 07:39 PM

Mine aren't there yet but I would wire brush or scotch that area and spray or apply silver paint. Or consider replacing the rotors.

cj04 · 09-09-2014, 07:51 PM

If you put them in a bucket or tub of Apple cider vinegar for a half hour or so it'll take the rust off, then you can paint or clear the hats to prevent it in the future

hognutz · 09-09-2014, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012 ZL1#1658

I have rust on my rotor heads of my ZL1. I've had this for a while now and have been trying to learn to deal with it. Having said that, it is something that I always notice when I go to car shows. I've called a local Chevy dealer buy me and he pretty much told me there is nothing I can do about it. Is that really the answer?

cad plated or zinc washed is what you what in that order. the wear surface will always rust if left wet as it is just steel but the pad will wear off the corrosion.

I am not sure what the heat transfer is like to the hat you might get away with high temp paint in that area.

Auto manufacturers are cheap and lazy when it comes to corrosion. you would never get aways with being that lazy in avaition.

CRTZL1 · 09-10-2014, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012 ZL1#1658

I have rust on my rotor heads of my ZL1. I've had this for a while now and have been trying to learn to deal with it. Having said that, it is something that I always notice when I go to car shows. I've called a local Chevy dealer buy me and he pretty much told me there is nothing I can do about it. Is that really the answer?

I had rust on the hats of my rears as well (3750 miles). Really

...I read a few threads on the matter and about people painting them with high heat paint and what not. In the end I decided to buy replacements for them because they really were inexpensive in my opinion (Amazon ...170 for both, free shipping). I got the AC Delco rotors that cross reference the GM part number, there listed as the replacement part. They describe these replacement rotors as meeting or exceeding OEM quality.
When I got these in I knew right away that they were manufactured better. They just looked better quality. 2000 miles later they are perfect and not a spec of rust on them, and yes I drive the car in the rain as well every now and then.
I went from

to

... Good Luck!

Here are some details listed on the rotors I got...Notice the warranty and the corrosion resistance...

Original Equipment fit, form and function to deliver the stopping power the engineers that designed your vehicle specified
Built of damped iron or G-3000 and mill balanced for durability and smooth braking
Fully painted for maximum corrosion resistance and meet the strict FMVSS standards
12-month/12,000-Mile Limited Warranty
ACDelco is an Original Equipment (OE) supplier and has the experience engineering and manufacturing components that achieve the highest quality standards required by vehicle manufacturers

wilmaya · 09-10-2014, 04:28 AM

I painted mine two weeks after delivery with Dupli-Color silver engine enamel. Still looks great. I did pull them off to do it so the outside edges are done also.

2012 ZL1#1658 · 09-10-2014, 08:35 AM

That's really helpful. Thanks everyone.

2012 ZL1#1658 · 09-10-2014, 02:59 PM

Out of curiosity...is it bad to keep your car outside covered all the time versus kept in a garage? My main concern is for possibility of rust building up on other areas of the car over time.

2014CamaroZL1 · 09-10-2014, 03:22 PM

Way better to keep in the garage.
Warmer temperature (even wind protection, if unheated) and out of the UV.

Outside with a cover I would be concerned about the cover rubbing against the paint over time and during particularly windy weather.
You also can get mold under car covers outdoors.
Plus nesting insects, rodents, and such.

09-08-2014, 11:08 AM	#2
Mean Green Z28 Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 941 View My Garage	rust on the heads is normal but can be fixed by a good paint or powdercoat if you want it super duper Typing fat fingered on my GS3...excuse any sfelling mitcakes __________________ 2010 2SS - CAI Intake, ADM Scoop, RotoFab Washer relo. LT Headers and off-road pipes, X-pipe, Muffler Deletes, ZL1 Spoiler, Technostalgia Tail-lights '98 T/A (Sold) - Forged 6.0ltr, MS3, P&P'd Heads/Valves, 90MM FAST/TB, Headers, 3" Y-pipe, 4" Mufflex Catback. Koni Adjustables w/GC coilovers (550/175), Strano Sway Bars '94 Z28 (Sold) ... LS1 swap (basically same setup as the T/A), TH350/3500 stall ... swapped it all into the T/A -- >> Some of my Projects My Fquick Page

09-09-2014, 08:04 AM	#3
THR ZL1 #1 Perma Grinning Drives: 2012 Tom Henry Racing ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Schaumburg, IL Posts: 452	After market two piece rotors or high heat engine or header paint. __________________ Our Garage: 2018 Traverse High Country, 2017 Tom Henry Racing ZL1 Convertible, 2016 Silverado High Country HD, 2014 Camaro SS Convertible, 2012 Tom Henry Racing ZL1, 2002 Berger SS Phase II, 2001 Camaro SS Convertible, 1997 Hendrick Motorsports 30th Anniversary LT4 SS, 1992 Camaro RS Z03 25th . . .

09-09-2014, 06:46 PM	#4
SPOOKYGUNNER ROCK Drives: 2013 ZL-1 TRIPLE BLACK VERT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: DENVER COLORADO Posts: 609	I get surface rust when it rains. Just drive it and it goes away. __________________ WHEN ONE AMERICAN IS NOT WORTHY TO BE FOUND...THEN WE AS AMERICANS HAVE LOST. POW/MIA YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

09-09-2014, 07:11 PM	#5
2012 ZL1#1658 Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1658 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsauken, NJ Posts: 595	The rust occurs on the rotor hats. This is the part that does not get into contact with the brake pads. __________________ 2012 ZL1 (BLACK on BLACK) Roto-Fab CAI RX Catch Can 3M Paint Protection 2011 1SS/RS (BLACK on BLACK) <SOLD>

09-10-2014, 04:28 AM	#10
wilmaya Drives: 1970 Chevelle SS396/496 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Morristown, NJ Posts: 422	I painted mine two weeks after delivery with Dupli-Color silver engine enamel. Still looks great. I did pull them off to do it so the outside edges are done also. __________________ ZL1 PZVSH2 VIN #428 02/24/12 Official Delivery Date 04/18/2012 GAZ-Summit White MN6, B92, RTQ, WBP Russell Chevrolet, AR 11/15/11, 1100 01/13/12, 2030 01/30/12, 2000 01/31/12, 3000 02/02/12, 3300 02/11/12, 3100 02/20/12, 3400

09-08-2014, 10:50 AM	#1
2012 ZL1#1658 Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1658 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsauken, NJ Posts: 595	What to do about rust on rotors. I have rust on my rotor heads of my ZL1. I've had this for a while now and have been trying to learn to deal with it. Having said that, it is something that I always notice when I go to car shows. I've called a local Chevy dealer buy me and he pretty much told me there is nothing I can do about it. Is that really the answer? __________________ 2012 ZL1 (BLACK on BLACK) Roto-Fab CAI RX Catch Can 3M Paint Protection 2011 1SS/RS (BLACK on BLACK) <SOLD>

09-09-2014, 07:39 PM	#6
Southern Comfort No Tags/Habitual Violator Drives: 2012 SIM 2SS/RS & z71 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: North Georgia Posts: 2,379 View My Garage	Mine aren't there yet but I would wire brush or scotch that area and spray or apply silver paint. Or consider replacing the rotors.

09-09-2014, 07:51 PM	#7
cj04 Drives: 2010 2ss/rs Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: United States Posts: 310 View My Garage	If you put them in a bucket or tub of Apple cider vinegar for a half hour or so it'll take the rust off, then you can paint or clear the hats to prevent it in the future

09-10-2014, 08:35 AM	#11
2012 ZL1#1658 Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1658 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsauken, NJ Posts: 595	That's really helpful. Thanks everyone. __________________ 2012 ZL1 (BLACK on BLACK) Roto-Fab CAI RX Catch Can 3M Paint Protection 2011 1SS/RS (BLACK on BLACK) <SOLD>

09-10-2014, 02:59 PM	#12
2012 ZL1#1658 Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1658 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsauken, NJ Posts: 595	Out of curiosity...is it bad to keep your car outside covered all the time versus kept in a garage? My main concern is for possibility of rust building up on other areas of the car over time. __________________ 2012 ZL1 (BLACK on BLACK) Roto-Fab CAI RX Catch Can 3M Paint Protection 2011 1SS/RS (BLACK on BLACK) <SOLD>

09-10-2014, 03:22 PM	#13
2014CamaroZL1 Drives: 2014 CRT ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Central NJ Posts: 712	Way better to keep in the garage. Warmer temperature (even wind protection, if unheated) and out of the UV. Outside with a cover I would be concerned about the cover rubbing against the paint over time and during particularly windy weather. You also can get mold under car covers outdoors. Plus nesting insects, rodents, and such.