Any ways to prevent rust on the brake hub surface?

[Jonathan M3]

I have some new Balo rotors for the M3 and wondered if it was possible to mask off the disc surface and paint the other areas of the rotor with a high temp paint or protective coating. I'd just want to paint them something neutral like silver. Anyone tried this?

[Jordan]

yes, yes, yes

yes to everything

yes

[Ryan Stewart]

Mine still look sliver after 20k miles. I made sure and cleaned the hubs with an alcohol solution because there was a cosmoline like rust preventative on them and then did multiple layers of sliver. A bunch of thin ones of paint for exhaust manifolds.

Masking was easy because i just used the cardboard supports that came in the box with the rotors.

[bimmerphile]

Just apply WD-40 regularly, duh

[darien28]

i painted mine w/o any problems...

I'd be more worried about the hubs and the rotors siezing to the hubs... as I had to use my emergency jack braced against the frame to literally pry my front rotors off... and when tehy did pop off, they flew ~3ft. :x

[Jordan]

smear a thin coat of antiseize on the hubs before you remount the rotor and that wont happen again.

but yeah... i had one rotor on my car that i beat off with a hammer, warped the shit out of it but it finally came off.

[mgold]

On his M3, Dave Adams sprayed on the rotors a brake rotor and pad treatment, which you can spray directly on all parts of the rotors and pads. It works as an anti-squeak but is nice since it also prevents the rotors from turning rusty. I believe he said it was from Würth. Here's a couple of pics.

[Sean]

Those look REALLY nice. THat was my plan as well.

Anyone know exactly what Wurth paint he used?

I'll be goin on a hunt in a bit to see if I can find what he used. Thought I'd ask though. ;)

[Low Level E30]

Why would you paint the rotors like that? Surely the paint will come off when you use the brakes? Or... not?

[mgold]

The paint does come off when you start using the brakes. My understanding is that particular paint is designed to help the brake pads bed in correctly. It will wear off of the rotor and what it leaves behind (where the pads don't make contact) will protect the rest of the rotor.

[Spaz]

The paint does come off when you start using the brakes. My understanding is that particular paint is designed to help the brake pads bed in correctly. It will wear off of the rotor and what it leaves behind (where the pads don't make contact) will protect the rest of the rotor.

exactly, but imo if he has race pads they will squeal no matter how much anti-squeal you put on.

[Beej '86 325es]

Yeah, the paint comes off the braking surface right away when you start braking. I have some cross drilled Stillen rotors that are cadium coated, the coating just all peels up into chunks the first time you drive it, but then everywhere but the actual surface is completely protected afterwards.