HOW TO CLEAN BRAKE ROTORS OF DUST, RUST, AND CORROSION (STEP-BY-STEP)

Not only are brake rust and dust unsightly, but they are corrosive to your wheels—and because brakes require friction and brake pad wear to function, some level of dust is also inevitable. Your wheels will always be exposed to dust from your brakes; that is how they are designed. 

Taking proper care of your braking system can cost you money and time, but it is ultimately worth it. Braking is one of the most frequent actions drivers take. A good braking system ensures good braking ability. Likewise, bad brakes can pose a serious threat to your safety and the wellbeing of those with whom you share the road. To maintain excellent brakes, you need to routinely clean your brake rotors.

In this PowerStop guide, we will show you a variety of methods to clean your brake rotors, depending on your individual time constraints and tool availability.

WHY DO BRAKE ROTORS GET RUSTY?

Before diving into ways to clean rotor rust, it can be helpful to understand how brake rotors get rusty in the first place. Because of its strength, durability, and heat-handling properties, steel has historically been the material of choice for braking system components. Steel is used to create brake rotors, brake calipers, and elements of brake pads.

Although steel is strong, it is not without weaknesses—particularly corrosion. When exposed to moisture, steel will rust. When exposed to excessive moisture, especially when combined with road salt, steel can rust even faster. Rust can slowly eat away at a vehicle’s appearance and integrity. In a braking system, rust can threaten the longevity of its components—and more importantly, driver safety.

It’s important to note that not all forms of rust are cause for alarm; some braking system rust is normal. After sitting overnight during a rainstorm or heavy snowfall, moisture can coat the surface of the steel brake rotor and leave a very thin layer of rust behind. Thin rust layers like these exist only at the surface of a steel rotor and disappear naturally after a few moments of driving. Each time the brakes are engaged, the brake pads clean the brake rotors’ surfaces of contaminants, including light surface rust.

SIMPLY DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE CAN CLEAN SOME RUST AND DUST

If your vehicle sits in one place for a few days, you will likely notice some rust forming on the rotors. You can remove this superficial rust just by driving. Simply take the vehicle out for some stop-and-go driving, then check the rotors. If you can still see signs of corrosion, consider following the steps below, based on which approach aligns with your time and tool availabilities.

HOW TO CLEAN BRAKE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE

If you don’t have the time or tools to raise your vehicle and perform a thorough rotor cleaning, this may be the best option. With this method, you remove the wheels but clean the rotors while they are still on your vehicle.

PROS

• Easy, fast, and convenient
• For people who do not have tools to lift or raise the vehicle

CONS

• It’s not deep cleaning but it does the job

THE PROCESS

To clean your brake rotors while they are still on the vehicle, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Loosen the lug screws/nuts
• Step 2: Unscrew the lug screw/nuts and remove the wheels 
• Step 3: Thoroughly spray brake cleaner on the brake area – mild soap and water also works
• Step 4: Make sure to spray the calipers and rotors 
• Step 5: Use a microfiber cloth or regular rag to wipe the rotors and the outside of the calipers
• Step 6: Put the wheels back on
• Step 7: Lower the car to the ground
• Step 8: Start driving, the brakes will continue to clean themselves

Note: The brake cleaner will continue to clean underneath the calipers while driving

HOW TO CLEAN BRAKE ROTORS BY REMOVING THE ROTORS FROM THE VEHICLE

If you have the time and tools necessary to lift your vehicle and remove the rotors to clean them, this is your ideal option.

PROS

• A deep cleaning for the rotors
• For people who have the tools to lift the vehicle and take out rotors

CONS

• The whole process takes time

THE PROCESS

To thoroughly clean your brake rotors by removing them from your vehicle first, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Put on gloves, safety goggles, and other safety equipment
• Step 2: Raise or lift your vehicle with a lift or jack on a leveled ground carefully
• Step 3: Loosen the lug screws/nuts
• Step 4: Remove the wheels by unscrewing the lug screw/nuts and taking off the wheels 
• Step 5: Remove the calipers
• Step 6: Remove the brake rotors
• Step 7: Spray brake cleaner on rotors
• Step 8: Drip off extra brake cleaner
• Step 9: Use a regular cleaning brush and gently scrub the rotors to soften the rust and corrosion
• Step 10: Use the stainless-steel wire brush to scrub the rotor in a circular motion
• Step 11: Spray with Windex or other similar cleaning supplies to spray and wipe down rotors

HOW TO CLEAN BRAKE ROTORS WITH WHITE VINEGAR

An effective alternative to brake cleaner, white vinegar is a good option for cleaning your rotors if you have the time to wait a bit longer for the final result. This option also requires you to raise your vehicle and remove the rotors before cleaning them.

PROS

• A deep cleaning for the rotors
• Great result with less labor

CONS

• Longer wait-time

THE PROCESS

To clean your brake rotors with white vinegar, take the following steps:

• Step 1: Put on gloves, safety goggles, and other safety equipment
• Step 2: Carefully raise or lift your vehicle with a lift or jack on leveled ground 
• Step 3: Loosen lug screws/nuts
• Step 4: Remove the wheels by unscrewing the lug screw/nuts and taking off the wheels 
• Step 5: Remove the calipers
• Step 6: Remove the brake rotors
• Step 7: Place the rotors in a bucket or vessel that is big enough to hold the rotors and water or vinegar
• Step 8: Pour white vinegar in the bucket with the rotors in it (completely soak the rotors in white vinegar)
• Step 9: Soak the rotors for at least one hour
• Step 10: Some gas bubbles will start to form after soaking for at least one hour
• Step 11: Take the rotors out
• Step 12: Use a cloth or rag to wipe the rotors

*If very rusty, soak rotors in vinegar overnight.

*Repeat these steps if necessary.

*The longer the rotors soak in white vinegar, the easier it is to wipe off the rust.