Several ways to clean brake discs from rust

The life of the driver and passengers depends on how well the braking system of a vehicle works. Therefore, it is so important to monitor the condition of all its elements, including brake discs.

If corrosion appears on them, it must be removed immediately. Read the article about why rust forms on brake discs and pads, what the danger is and how to deal with it.

Causes of rust stains

During active use of the car, rust does not appear on the discs, since they are constantly polished while driving.

So, the main reason for the formation of rust on brake discs is prolonged idle time of the vehicle. These elements are not protected by anything, therefore, like any other metal parts, they oxidize.

Why is corrosion dangerous and how often should it be cleaned off?

Some drivers believe that corrosion is a normal phenomenon and does not pose any threat. The main thing is to start driving and she will remove herself. In fact, this assumption is only partially correct.

Indeed, a thin layer of corrosion quickly disappears, but a thick coating that completely covers the discs cannot be dealt with in this way.

Rust is dangerous. It acts like a lubricant, increasing friction between the discs and pads. This results in reduced braking efficiency. On the road, especially when driving at high speed, this is a serious risk.

Another reason to get rid of corrosion is accelerated wear of the brake system.. Corrosion acts as an abrasive, which leads to abrasion of the discs in those areas where it is most abundant.

In the future, the car will brake jerkily. If this happens, even cleaning will not be able to solve the problem. The part will have to be changed. Therefore, it is so important to get rid of corrosion in time, when the layer on the disks is still very small.

The corrosion removal procedure must be carried out in the following cases:

1. The car was idle for a long time.
2. The layer of rust is thick and covers non-working surfaces.
3. Rust clogs the ventilation ducts. Their blockage threatens to overheat the braking system and cause rapid wear.

It is a good idea to clean the rims when changing wheels.

How to remove it?

You can deal with rust on brake discs using improvised means and the use of specialized compounds. Regardless of the chosen corrosion control method, The key to a successful procedure is strict adherence to the instructions.

Folk remedies for cleaning

Folk remedies work no worse than professional cleaners, but are much cheaper. You can deal with rust on wheels using the following compounds:

1. Lemon acid. It is diluted in warm water. For every 10 liters you will need 50 g of preservative.The disk is completely immersed in the solution and left for 24 hours.

   After treatment, the product is washed with a soda solution and then with clean water (read more about removing rust using citric acid Here).

2. Table vinegar. It is used like citric acid. For 10 liters of water you will need 250 ml of vinegar with a concentration of 9%. If the rust layer is thick, then the amount of vinegar is doubled (you can find out more here).
3. Orthophosphoric acid. It can be purchased at construction stores. The discs are treated with this composition, left for 15 minutes, after which they are washed off with a soda solution and clean water.
4. Soda slurry. It is convenient to treat small areas of corrosion. The product is prepared in such a way that its consistency resembles sour cream. The paste is applied to the rust, left for an hour, and then removed with a damp cloth.
5. Sparkling water. To combat metal oxides, you can use Coca Cola, Sprite or Pepsi. To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, the drink is slightly heated (up to 40 degrees). The disk is completely immersed in Cola and left for a day, after which it is removed, rinsed with clean water and dried.

Top 3 special lineups

You can get rid of rust using converters or removers, which are sold in auto parts stores. They have different release forms, so when purchasing you need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Spray. It is chosen when you need to treat a small area of ​​corrosion. The spray is convenient to apply, since there is no contact between the skin and the active substance.
2. Liquid form. Such compositions are an ideal solution for removing rust from the entire disk. The solvent is poured into a suitable container and the part is completely immersed in it.
3. Converter rust. Such compositions not only help dissolve corrosion, they provide additional protection for the metal from its reoccurrence. This is why it is so important to purchase formulations with added zinc.

Regardless of the product you choose, before using it for the first time, you should carefully read the instructions.

Top 3 popular compositions for removing rust from brake discs:

1. Rust converter AUTOPROFIT Galvanized. The composition is available in the form of a solution, which is bottled in convenient bottles equipped with a sprayer.

   The product removes rust and prevents its reappearance, creating a durable zinc coating on the surface. For 550 ml of the product you will need to pay 225 rubles.

2. Rust remover SYNTIROL. The product is available in liquid form. It has an immediate effect on corrosion, removing it in 4-8 minutes. The cost of 1 liter is 450 rubles.
3. Rust remover spray Rust Remover. The composition is completely ready for use. It is applied directly to the corroded area. After just 10 minutes you can evaluate the result. One package is enough to process 5 m2.

How to remove using the electrochemical method?

This is a complex but effective way to combat rust. To implement it, the following components will be required:

• current source, for example, a car battery;
• soda ash solution (1 tsp per 1 liter of water);
• plastic basin;
• stainless steel;
• wires and clamps.

Procedure:

1. Connect the drive to the power source using the “+” wire.
2. Immerse the part in the soda solution.
3. Place a piece of stainless steel connected to the “-” terminal into the basin. The steel and the disc must not come into contact with each other.
4. Turn on the battery and make sure the reaction is started. This will be indicated by the solution bubbling.
5. Wait 2 hours.
6. Disconnect the power source, remove the disc, rinse and dry it.

Although this method is labor intensive, it is very effective.

What to do to prevent the problem from occurring?

The most effective prevention of corrosion formation is constant operation of the vehicle.. If this is not possible, then before long periods of inactivity, the disks must be treated with a special aerosol to protect them. Such lubricants are sold in spare parts stores.

Helpful information

Brake discs are made of cast iron, so when purchasing specialized compounds, you need to clarify whether the chosen product is suitable for this type of metal.

When working with chemicals, you need to take care of personal protective equipment. It is unacceptable to remove the part from the solution with bare hands. They must wear rubber gloves.

The cleaning procedure should be carried out in a room with good ventilation.

A lot of useful and important information about methods of fighting rust on a car - in this section.

Video on the topic of the article

The video will show you how to clean brake discs from rust:

Conclusion

There should be no rust on the brake discs. If it appears, it is removed with improvised means or with the help of professional compounds. All of them are quite effective in combating corrosion.