Rusty Rotors

I have a car I have not driven in about 6 months or more. The rotors were 1 month old when I parked the car. Now that I am going to drive it again, the rotors have surface rust on them. Should I have them turned? I hate to because like I said really there is only 1 month wear on them. Or can I just clean them off with a wire wheel? I hate to let the pads clean them as they are as new as the rotors.

[Nate]

Make sure the brakes work first, but then just do an easy stop from 50...

You broke the pads in, right?
~Nate

[Hatterasguy]

Drag the brakes down the street, that will get the worst rust off. The rotors will clean up in a few miles of normal driving.

[kramlavud]

Using the brakes with rusty rotors sounds like a sure way to score the rotors. I think rust - iron oxide - is much harder than the cast iron rotors, and might thus create grooves. I suggest removing the rust with emery paper. Although I am willing to listen to others.
regards,
Mark

[engatwork]

Ppl have been doing it for years just by driving em.

[Hatterasguy]

The SD's were rusted so badly when I first got it that I had to put 50-70 miles on them before they had any real bit. But they cleaned right up, although this fall I'll probably throw a set of front discs on. Still thats 10k miles later.

If the rotor is rusted to the point that the pads won't clean them, replace them. After sitting for only 6 months we are talking about super light surface rust.

[Ferdman]

Surf-n-Turf, rotors will get a very light coating of rust from water spray while washing the car. The rust film on the rear rotors makes a shrill squeal when braking in reverse for a short while afterwards, otherwise no after-effects. If the rust film on your rotors isn't too thick normal driving should clean them; however, if it's a thick build-up you might want to hold emery paper against each surface (front and back separately) while rotating the rotor so they clean up evenly.

[Beastie]

Get in and drive the car using the brakes gently for the first few stops. Unless they are deeply pitted which should not be the case unless they were exposed to road salt and moisture.
Alan