EricInMaryland

Is it really normal for a 1 year old TLX to show significant rusting on the wheels and calipers?
I cant remember the last car I owned that showed the level of rusting I saw today on a neighbors car.
I will snap some pictures if that helps.

TacoBello

Are you sure it isn't just surface rust? When cars are shipped by train, the train brake dust literally sticks to everything. It's iron based, so you see these surface rust spots occurring, literally everywhere. You'll even see is happen on plastic. It's not the car rusting though and can be cleaned up by properly washing and then clay barring the entire car. If I'm not mistake, the wheels should be made of aluminum- if so, they should never rust. They can corrode but the owner must be driving through some seriously shitty winter conditions, for 30k miles for that to happen in one year.

the brakes are normal to corrode. The rotors can easily turn all red. If they were recently wet and not used right after, the entire disc can look seriously rusty. Drive for 5 seconds and they'll look perfect again. The rotor hub is normal to rust permanently, for OEM pieces.

Of course, this is all speculation as you haven't provided any concrete details, history, photos, etc., so I can only speculate.

Post pics!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^i think he was mainly just asking about the rotors.
I dont suspect rail dust to accumulate to a point where he's asking how to remove surface rust from the paint.

OP, think about what the rotors are made of? they are made of Iron. what does iron do? it oxidizes, or chemically react to oxygen.

as tacobello stated, one sweep of the rotor with the brake applied and all that surface rust will come clean!

you can also prevent the hub from chemically reacting with the air, by painting it.

EricInMaryland

I certainly get how rusting works. I have had many cars and I cannot recall one that looked this bad. In fact, I cannot recall one that had any. I walked the parking lot and did not see other cars with this.

I will talk to my neighbor and shoot some pictures.

TacoBello

Yeah, I'm curious to see this too. Like I said, all I could do is speculate. Maryland sees quite a bit of salt on the roads in winter, does it not?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

here's my '12 kia sportage with stock rotors



obviously,freshly driven so no surface rust on face

echodigital

Get the rotor hats and calipers painted. Rust happens and on my 2009 Tech 18 inch rims, it is really noticeable because of the rim design (5 spoke). You can DYI or get the pros to do it.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

wasnt trying to insult your intelligence, just noting that the rotor is made of Iron. and Iron reacts with the atmosphere