brake discs

[Marku]

Not using the 116 for a while and already the nearly new discs are rusting. New discs come painted so I would like to repaint them while it is off road. What is the paint or is there anything that will do the job?

 

[markjay]

The non-friction parts of the disc will always have some surface rust regardless of whether the car is used or not (it's only the friction surface of the disc that gets cleaned when driving/braking). In principle any heat-resistant paint will do. e.g. oven-paint / BBQ paint / exhaust pipes paint, but if you prefer you could use paint marketed for use on brake callipers. Take extra care when painting to ensure no contamination of the friction surfaces or of the hub mating surface.

 

[AMGeed]

I used silver smooth Hammerite (?sp) paint on my front discs and they are still looking good 2yrs later.

 

[whitenemesis]

New (dealer supplied anyway) come coated and should be fitted without removing any coating. The first application of the brakes will clear the friction surface. The non-friction surfaces on my discs are still rust free after 4yrs

 

[brucemillar]

As above. Smooth Hammerite is perfect for this. All sorts of nice colours too.

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[RichardF]

I have Pagid on the front, they've stayed rust free. The rears I've had to paint the tophats (silver hammerite) Next change it's Pagid all round.

Don't paint the front surface where the wheel mounts.

 

[Marku]

Thanks for all the advice. I was looking for the original paint which also covered the friction surface and was removed during use. The original MB workshop manual I have for the car states that the discs would be supplied painted with a nitro-cellulose which should be removed before use with solvent. Basically I want a paint that can be put on the friction surface, as when new, and can be removed by use and not clog up the pads.

 

[a111r]

Get a can of grey cellulose primer, give them a light coat.

 

[AMGeed]

Basically I want a paint that can be put on the friction surface, as when new, and can be removed by use and not clog up the pads.

That will be a lot of work for nothing. The first time you use the brakes the paint will disappear. Up to you though. As suggested above, some grey cellulose primer will do the job.

 

[a111r]

^^ OP just wants the paint for protection whilst the car's not being used. I think.

 

[markjay]

^^ OP just wants the paint for protection whilst the car's not being used. I think.

I think this will be tricky. The discs could be coated using the same film that new discs come with, then cleaned with brake cleaner as you would do with new discs. But the potential issue would be how to apply the protective coat without contaminating the pads? I doubt the OP would want to remove the pads when not using the car....?

Also, if doing so, then I would place a big sticker on each wheel warning that the discs are coated, just in case...........

 

[whitenemesis]

OEM coating on MB supplied discs is designed to be removed by the pads during the first few applications.

Perhaps a bag covering over each wheel would be sufficient? My disc friction surface only go rusty if I've clean the car or they've been exposed to driving rain.

 

[stwat]

Ceulose primer is porous so won't be of any use.

 

[RichardF]

Surely you'd need to do both faces of the disc, which means removing them.
If you've got em off anyway, you might as well just leave them in a cupboard.

 

[Marku]

Got some really good advice but does any one know what the coating on the friction surface of a new disc is? No problem in removing the discs as I plan some remedial work any way. The car is not used very often and the discs rust quite a lot. As it will be laid up over winter come Spring they are going to be in a pretty poor state. As RichardF says I might as well leave them in a cupboard which would be the most effective but I would really like to know the paint type. It must be quite permanent as discs fitted to another vehicle last year are still good even though the friction surface cleaned off quite quickly.

 

[hotrodder]

It isn't paint in the traditional sense, discs are usually electrophoretically coated (aka E-coat) with a zinc or aluminium based 'paint'. There's loads of different trade names for the various different coatings used for example Jurid / Bendix call whatever coating they use NONOX
ATE say ATE Brakes -Coated brake discs which could be their own concoction or something like Weckerle Alutherm

 

[Marku]

Many thanks that is exactly the right info I wanted.