C3 Rotor Finish

[Michael C.]

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Rotor Finish

I’ve searched the archives and found little specific information about how to finish brake rotors to retard/reduce rusting. I know they’re supposed to be natural, but I want to avoid the immediate rust if left unprotected. I tried some VHT Flame Proof Clear on a front hub as a trial run. Everything looked good after the first round of bake/cure at approximately 250 degrees. During the 400 degree bake I saw the color change to brownish gold. That color remains after the cool down. I’ve since read at least one product review that related similar results. Others had results acceptable to them. Any thoughts about what went wrong?

i read one forum post here suggesting use of a hi temp cast blast would be better than the otherwise inevitable rust. What brand of cast blast? I’ve read online about Seymour Hot Spot Hi Temp Cast Iron Coating and saw a small number of good reviews. Anyone with Seymour experience?

I'm talking about new rotors. The vendor suggested the VHT as well as a couple of Rust-Oleum products. It appears that Rust-Oleum doesn’t have a hi temp clear or cast iron.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

Michael------

VHT has available special rotor paints in several different colors. I've used the gray and it works great.

[Michael C.]

Re: C3 Rotor Finish

Joe,
On the VHT website I see three product lines that might include what you're referring to: Caliper Paint (900 degrees F, available in Cast Aluminum); Engine Enamel (500-550 degrees F, available in Nu-Cast Iron, Nu-Cast Aluminum, Ford Grey and Universal Aluminum); Flame Proof (1300-2000 degrees F, available in Cast Iron). I realize product lines and/or names and color names might have changed since you last saw them, but I'll appreciate it if you can narrow it down a bit. Caliper Paint and Engine Enamel only require baking for one hour at 200 degrees. More complicated for Flame Proof, and I think its hi heat durability is more than what's needed for rotors.

Thanks again.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Rotor Finish

Joe,
On the VHT website I see three product lines that might include what you're referring to: Caliper Paint (900 degrees F, available in Cast Aluminum); Engine Enamel (500-550 degrees F, available in Nu-Cast Iron, Nu-Cast Aluminum, Ford Grey and Universal Aluminum); Flame Proof (1300-2000 degrees F, available in Cast Iron). I realize product lines and/or names and color names might have changed since you last saw them, but I'll appreciate it if you can narrow it down a bit. Caliper Paint and Engine Enamel only require baking for one hour at 200 degrees. More complicated for Flame Proof, and I think its hi heat durability is more than what's needed for rotors.

Thanks again.

Michael-----

Yes, I was thinking of the caliper paint, not rotor paint. Actually, I think the caliper paint would work OK on the rotor center sections. However, the flameproof cast iron would probably be the best. I've used this, too, and I really like it.

[Alan D.]

Re: C3 Rotor Finish

I used POR-15 20 years ago on my exhaust manifolds and they still look great. Applied the material and baked at 300 degrees f. for a hour.
Should work on rotors.