D-106: Painting Rotor Hub DIY
05-16-2009, 08:27 PM
#1
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D-106: Painting Rotor Hub DIY
My rotors were rusting around the hubs and it looked awful. Who wants nasty lookin rotors when your sporting nice rims? 
So another member and myself got together to tackle the problem. He did the passenger side and I did the drivers side. Both armed with Dremel's. We did the back rotors first since I only had one set of jack stands. Here's one of the rotors after getting the wheel off:
Here's Jim working on the rotor:
Using the Dremel on the rotor. We used pointed grinding bits. Worked great to get into the grooves!
After sanding. Cleaning the dust off with a MF cloth. We also wore eye protection and masks. You don't want to breath that dust.
After sanding/grinding:
Time to paint. We used black caliper paint to handle the heat. Put on two coats.
The finished rotor. No rust.
It's a little hard to see in this picture, but you get the idea. Much better than seeing rust. The whole project with both of us working took a little more than an hour. One tip, if two people are working on this, we had at issue, very minor, with working on the front rotors. When one would spin the rotor it would move the other side as well. So you may want to have one working the back rotor while the other worked the front rotor. We bought some cheap brushes at Target as the caliper paint will destroy them. Keep painting as the paint drys fast. And that's it! I want to give credit to my friend Jim (Gatrhumpy) for all his work and help.
So another member and myself got together to tackle the problem. He did the passenger side and I did the drivers side. Both armed with Dremel's. We did the back rotors first since I only had one set of jack stands. Here's one of the rotors after getting the wheel off:Here's Jim working on the rotor:
Using the Dremel on the rotor. We used pointed grinding bits. Worked great to get into the grooves!
After sanding. Cleaning the dust off with a MF cloth. We also wore eye protection and masks. You don't want to breath that dust.
After sanding/grinding:
Time to paint. We used black caliper paint to handle the heat. Put on two coats.
The finished rotor. No rust.
It's a little hard to see in this picture, but you get the idea. Much better than seeing rust. The whole project with both of us working took a little more than an hour. One tip, if two people are working on this, we had at issue, very minor, with working on the front rotors. When one would spin the rotor it would move the other side as well. So you may want to have one working the back rotor while the other worked the front rotor. We bought some cheap brushes at Target as the caliper paint will destroy them. Keep painting as the paint drys fast. And that's it! I want to give credit to my friend Jim (Gatrhumpy) for all his work and help.
05-16-2009, 08:54 PM
#3
looks good. When I did mine I removed the rear rotors, taped them off and spray painted the black caliper paint on. I did the rear calipers using the brush like you. Did you do your rear calipers while you were at it? The front rotors I used the same method you did (minus the dremel).
05-16-2009, 09:04 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
looks good. When I did mine I removed the rear rotors, taped them off and spray painted the black caliper paint on. I did the rear calipers using the brush like you. Did you do your rear calipers while you were at it? The front rotors I used the same method you did (minus the dremel).
05-17-2009, 03:07 AM
#7
i work at schucks o'rielys and we sell a "advanced" rotor its like 15 bucks more usually, it is built better and has the black finish on the vents and hub so this does not happen. i think i will be buying these when my brakes need to be done...
good write up btw
good write up btw
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BiggieN (09-09-2020)
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05-17-2009, 11:10 AM
#8
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Cool.
PM a link to csmeance. He might add this to the garage.
PM a link to csmeance. He might add this to the garage.
05-17-2009, 11:29 AM
#9
careful with the residue from sanding getting onto the pads!
You need to use brake cleaner spray on everything during and after
Some find it faster to remove the caliper and rotor off the car, then its right there on the ground or workbench to use regular sandpaper or wire brush to remove surface rust.
3 coats is a good plan and paint the outer edges of the center slots area- then they look like high dollar rotors
Careful not to get a bunch of paint on the hub where the rim contacts it
buy a pack of brushes for sure! notice on duplicolor the paint can directions differ from the box- follow cans
You need to use brake cleaner spray on everything during and after
Some find it faster to remove the caliper and rotor off the car, then its right there on the ground or workbench to use regular sandpaper or wire brush to remove surface rust.
3 coats is a good plan and paint the outer edges of the center slots area- then they look like high dollar rotors
Careful not to get a bunch of paint on the hub where the rim contacts it
buy a pack of brushes for sure! notice on duplicolor the paint can directions differ from the box- follow cans
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BiggieN (09-09-2020)
05-17-2009, 11:32 AM
#10
while you have the wheels of- give them a good cleaning inside and out -
then 3 coats of SYNTHETIC car wax inside and out (has higher temp melting point than carnuba)
That will reduce brake dust adhesion to the rim,,,make it silppery and less sticks to it!
and make the wheels look better than new~
then 3 coats of SYNTHETIC car wax inside and out (has higher temp melting point than carnuba)
That will reduce brake dust adhesion to the rim,,,make it silppery and less sticks to it!
and make the wheels look better than new~
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BiggieN (09-09-2020)
05-17-2009, 11:57 AM
#11
Senior Moderator
05-17-2009, 06:16 PM
#12
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Yea, near the edge you must be careful not to run the bit up on the rotors braking surface. Not sure if it would really affect your braking or anything. We took our time and were very careful.
05-17-2009, 06:17 PM
#13
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
while you have the wheels of- give them a good cleaning inside and out -
then 3 coats of SYNTHETIC car wax inside and out (has higher temp melting point than carnuba)
That will reduce brake dust adhesion to the rim,,,make it silppery and less sticks to it!
and make the wheels look better than new~
then 3 coats of SYNTHETIC car wax inside and out (has higher temp melting point than carnuba)
That will reduce brake dust adhesion to the rim,,,make it silppery and less sticks to it!
and make the wheels look better than new~
05-17-2009, 06:19 PM
#14
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
careful with the residue from sanding getting onto the pads!
You need to use brake cleaner spray on everything during and after
Some find it faster to remove the caliper and rotor off the car, then its right there on the ground or workbench to use regular sandpaper or wire brush to remove surface rust.
3 coats is a good plan and paint the outer edges of the center slots area- then they look like high dollar rotors
Careful not to get a bunch of paint on the hub where the rim contacts it
buy a pack of brushes for sure! notice on duplicolor the paint can directions differ from the box- follow cans
You need to use brake cleaner spray on everything during and after
Some find it faster to remove the caliper and rotor off the car, then its right there on the ground or workbench to use regular sandpaper or wire brush to remove surface rust.
3 coats is a good plan and paint the outer edges of the center slots area- then they look like high dollar rotors
Careful not to get a bunch of paint on the hub where the rim contacts it
buy a pack of brushes for sure! notice on duplicolor the paint can directions differ from the box- follow cans
06-26-2009, 12:34 AM
#22
I didn't do half the work you did and mine look a little better. I used several wire-brushes to get everything off, then taped up what I didn't want painted and sprayed away. I got a perfect circles around the hub because I went maybe 1 or 2mm onto the rotor and let the brake pads carve the paint off. I've been through some nasty salt from the past two winters and they still look great 
I plan to replace my rotors soon anyways...most aftermarket ones come w/ painted hubs.
I plan to replace my rotors soon anyways...most aftermarket ones come w/ painted hubs.
Last edited by FiveLiterCheater; 06-26-2009 at 12:37 AM.
06-26-2009, 12:58 AM
#23
a wire wheel on a cordless drill makes quick work of surface prep!
06-26-2009, 06:21 AM
#24
I didn't do half the work you did and mine look a little better. I used several wire-brushes to get everything off, then taped up what I didn't want painted and sprayed away. I got a perfect circles around the hub because I went maybe 1 or 2mm onto the rotor and let the brake pads carve the paint off. I've been through some nasty salt from the past two winters and they still look great I plan to replace my rotors soon anyways...most aftermarket ones come w/ painted hubs.
I plan to replace my rotors soon anyways...most aftermarket ones come w/ painted hubs.
07-31-2009, 11:10 PM
#26
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Would that be the Advanced Technology rotor from Raybestos? I can get them at WD cost and was looking at putting them and their ceramic pads on mine. I might even be able to badger their sales rep into a n/c set to demo. I called their product manager and they don't offer a drilled and slotted rotor for the TL.
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