# How to protect brake calipers and rotors? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** brakes, rust\ **Created:** [August 15, 2022, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829 "2022-08-15T17:17:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![levi99522\_181953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f0a364/32.png) [@levi99522\_181953](https://community.cartalk.com/u/levi99522_181953)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/1 "2022-08-15T17:17:05Z")
I am about to change my brake master cylinder and change brake fluid. While I’m in there I just want to remove the rust from my brake calipers and rotors, and I was wondering what is a good way to prevent them from rusting. I want them to look kind of basic, bare, can I apply clearcoat on them as protection? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/2 "2022-08-15T17:23:25Z")
It’s normal for calipers to rust. They’re made of cast iron… But if you want to prettify "em, they make paint for calipers that’s rated as very high temp. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/3/136735db2843948ec629f3ce79a3a6613a74e2e5.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![levi99522\_181953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f0a364/32.png) [@levi99522\_181953](https://community.cartalk.com/u/levi99522_181953)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/3 "2022-08-15T17:25:08Z")
I was kind of hoping there is another way than painting, I hate paint. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/4 "2022-08-15T17:25:26Z")
No! The friction surface of the rotors will be stripped of paint as soon as you touch the brake. The rest of the rotor will retain the paint for a shorttime until it rustsoff again. You can paint the calipers if you want. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/5 "2022-08-15T17:26:17Z")
> [@levi99522\_181953](#): > > I hate paint What do you think clearcoat is? It is paint. ---
**Author:** ![levi99522\_181953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f0a364/32.png) [@levi99522\_181953](https://community.cartalk.com/u/levi99522_181953)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/6 "2022-08-15T17:27:50Z")
But at least it is see-through, and I was wondering if there is another way than using primer, base coat… ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/7 "2022-08-15T17:32:43Z")
Why do you want to see rusty calipers? You can remove and disassemble the calipers and have them zinc electroplated or chrome plated but this will be expensive and time consuming. ---
**Author:** ![levi99522\_181953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f0a364/32.png) [@levi99522\_181953](https://community.cartalk.com/u/levi99522_181953)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/8 "2022-08-15T17:35:23Z")
I wanted to remove the rust from them and polish them. I think painting is a waste of money, time and it is messy. In return it gives no functionality just looks. But I am not an expert, that is why I am asking what would be the best method of just protecting them from rusting again. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/9 "2022-08-15T17:39:27Z")
In order to remove the rust from the calipers, they must be removed from the vehicle, disassembled and sandblasted. Otherwise, nothing that’s applied will stick. Why not just live with the rusty calipers? And worry about more important things? Tester ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/10 "2022-08-15T17:47:56Z")
How about a set of caliper covers? ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/11 "2022-08-15T17:58:55Z")
> [@Tester](#): > > Why not just live with the rusty calipers? > > And worry about more important things? > > Tester Like keeping the brakes in good working condition. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/12 "2022-08-15T18:03:05Z")
> [@levi99522\_181953](#): > > I wanted to remove the rust from them and polish them That is a complete waste of time. They will rust before you can get them re-installed unless they are aluminum. Paint gives functionality… it prevents rust. ---
**Author:** ![levi99522\_181953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f0a364/32.png) [@levi99522\_181953](https://community.cartalk.com/u/levi99522_181953)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/13 "2022-08-15T18:04:45Z")
So I am just going to accept my fate and paint them. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/14 "2022-08-15T18:18:49Z")
> [@levi99522\_181953](#): > > I wanted to remove the rust from them and polish them. I think painting is a waste of money, time and it is messy. In return it gives no functionality just looks. And removing the rust gives something back other than looks? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/15 "2022-08-15T18:22:49Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > Like keeping the brakes in good working condition. The calipers on my 97 Accord are rusted. And the brakes work perfectly fine. Tester ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/16 "2022-08-15T18:25:10Z")
I can’t remember anyone having a functional problem with external caliper rust. Internal rust/corrosion (from not changing brake fluid), sure. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/17 "2022-08-15T19:32:35Z")
Car sitting due to Covid took its toll on my rotors. Drove it weekly and they were really corroded. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/18 "2022-08-15T19:41:34Z")
You will never in a million years get rid of rust on cast iron. Ever. The pads may scrub the rotor surfaces clean but the hubs and outer edges will rust no matter what. Around here with the humidity one can buy a brand new set of rotors and place them in a lawn chair on the porch. Several days later…rusted. Some offer stainless steel rotors but that seems like a lot of expense to accomplish nothing. Forget polishing. I’ve done that a bunch in the past with custom motorcycle parts and all I accomplished after buffing wheels/compound/hours of work/ and filth was a short term shine. ---
**Author:** ![levi99522\_181953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f0a364/32.png) [@levi99522\_181953](https://community.cartalk.com/u/levi99522_181953)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/19 "2022-08-16T18:01:29Z")
Well, I thought it might be bad to leave them rusty and wanted to stop it, but if it’s not a problem then I don’t care about them, just wanted to know. Thanks for the answers. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829/20 "2022-08-16T21:10:29Z")
Try PowerStop Evolution coated rotors. I put a set on my Nissan Frontier, and they look fantastic so far. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-protect-brake-calipers-and-rotors/185829.md?page=2)