I'm in the middle of replacing the brake discs on my 1983 300D and noticed a coating of grey "protective" paint on the new brake discs. My Chiltons manual says I need to remove this paint. How do I do so? Will the brake pads just take it off during normal wear? Thanks.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Clean this goo from the rotors with isopropyl alcohol. DO NOT use petroleum distillates for this purpose, you will ruin the brake pads.

Good luck,

I'd strongly suggest you remove the coating from the wheel & hub contact faces. Once you've heat-cycled that coating a few times, it turns into glue...had a heckuva time even getting the wheels off of my wagon!!

Once removed, I'd replace the coating with a fine film of grease or aerosol lubricant on the hub/rim contact areas, as it will ease future maintenance. I use grease on my lug bolts, too, but just a tiny bit (to keep the water out)

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

It's not a goo or film that's on the rotors now, it looks like an actual hard paint. How do I remove it? I figure I should do it now before I install them onto my car. Should I take a razor to it? I don't think any liquid will dissolve it (although I haven't tried brake cleaner yet). Thanks

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

I'm sorry, but I didn't catch the fact that this is paint on the surface. In this case, I doubt that it will hurt anything, it it's nothing but dried paint. It will wear right off and temporarily make a mess.

Good luck,

Greetings Alex,

I would use a product called goof off which can be bought from your local Wal-Mart. This product will dissolve the dried paint and leave no petroleum residue on your disc. Just wipe it on and let it sit for 30 seconds or so, then wipe off the paint, I wouldn't leave this paint on the disc as it will hasten the braking pads performance after it heats up.

Charles

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"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan