Have you guys noticed that once you wash your car and you spray water at your rims the brake pad is smothered in a rusty residue? its likea reddish tan color and it gets all over the brake pad. If you drive and break you can get it off but I'm wondering what it is and how to clean it off or even how to avoid it in the first place? thanks

 

It's surface rust that is normal. The only way to avoid it is to live in Arizona (or some other place that's real dry) and never get the car near water. The rest of the dust is brake pad dust that can't be avoided unless you can somehow drive the car without using the brakes.

 

Not sure if even Arizona would be a fix. I am in ELP TX, dry as hell out here, and it gets rust as well. Don't think there is another fix except to drive like you said after washing.

 

Rotors are made from iron. If you want to prevent rusting, just coat them with oil after you wash...

Oh wait, thats a bad idea

 

Like you said, it comes off the rotors after you brake. Shouldnt be an issue with anything. All cars do that after you wash the car.