Rusty discs

[ipilcher]

This thread is making me wonder ... why isn't stainless steel used for brake rotors?

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

This thread is making me wonder ... why isn't stainless steel used for brake rotors?

Poor heat dissipation and wear compared to carbon steel.

[Forethat]

Originally Posted by E46ZHP2

That looks awesome. Has bothered me since the day I got the car. Would you elaborate on how you did this?

Nothing complex.
I pulled each rotor and removed the rust with a brass wire wheel. I then used a compass to draw circles on a piece of paper, used the cut-out to mask 90% of the brake surface on the rotor and spray-painted with Hammerite (I sprayed the outside edges also). Two coats.

The only tricky part of this job is to get to the bolts holding the rear callipers. An extension bar is required and then you need to coax the bar up between the drive shaft, trailing arm and the guide rod. I used a 12" bar on an impact wrench.

[MADBMWX5MC]

I found that if I use my car dryer on the wheels as soon as I am done, it cuts down on the rusting. Not 100%, but good enough.