Preventing brake rotor rust

[Frank Lee]

Once upon a time, MetroMPG wondered how to prevent brake rotor rust from long-term non-use (musta been on "another" forum as the search turned up nothing here).

Well here ya go. The local car guy for the paper says this:

"If you're concerned about some corrosion on the brake rotors, you can spray them with a light aerosol lubricant. This will dissipate with the first applications of the brakes when the vehicle is put back in service."

A few easy steps keep vehicle safe in storage

I assume he means WD-40?

Anyway, I was taught that petrol-products in contact with brake pads and shoes was a no-no, so I don't know if I'll run out and try this... but there it is. (Maybe I'll do one rotor and see what happens).

[bhazard]

Doesnt the rust do the same thing after one application of the brakes?

[Frank Lee]

Yeah, that's all I've ever done.

[Red]

Dunno, I'm a fan of letting the pads do the cleaning rather than getting oil on my breaks

[jamesqf]

Yeah, lubricating the brakes seems sort of counterproductive, ya know?

[Frank Lee]

If the lube is indeed light enough to evaporate off when the brakes generate some heat upon first use, I can see where that would work.

Right now my truck has axle seal problems and the brake shoes are oil soaked. They still work, just not as good. And when I replace those seals (probably next spring) I plan on hitting those shoes with brake cleaner instead of replacing them.