Preventing brake rotor rust
 

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).

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

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

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

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

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.