Light Rust or Grime on Brake Pads ?

[YodaBird]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

Still don't understand what you are talking about.

Is it rust on the rotors that you are referring to? If it is, then the answer is live with it. It happens when a car sits in a moist environment. They can begin to rust in a matter or hours. Clean right up again as soon as the car is moving and the brakes get applied.

If you are not referring to your rotors, then try to clarify more. Pictures would help.

What do you mean clean right up again ? If I brake hard all the time, I risk wearing down or causing another problem, and I use more gas. Isn't there anything that I can spray on the brakes ? It is on the rotating discs, it is between the two pads, the actual brake part, doesn't have rust, yet. Theres gotta be something to clean it off, if I take a paper towel to the exterior of the brake, it comes off, but I can't reach between the pads (discs). I assume it's in the early stages. It's how to clean it off. If you don't understand, I'll have to take a picture in a day or two.

[Viperoni]

Originally Posted by YodaBird

What do you mean clean right up again ? If I brake hard all the time, I risk wearing down or causing another problem, and I use more gas. Isn't there anything that I can spray on the brakes ? It is on the rotating discs, it is between the two pads, the actual brake part, doesn't have rust, yet. Theres gotta be something to clean it off, if I take a paper towel to the exterior of the brake, it comes off, but I can't reach between the pads (discs). I assume it's in the early stages. It's how to clean it off. If you don't understand, I'll have to take a picture in a day or two.

Rust normally builds up on all metal parts, rotors can easily get rusty overnight, especially if it rains.

If you've got a chronic amount of rust that doesn't go away, it either indicates you're not using the brakes enough to burn off the rust, or there's an issue with the brake itself, causing one or both pads to not contact the rotor.

Since it's a 2012, it's very unlikely that there's any issue with the brakes. Brake a little harder and the rust will get worn off.
A paper towel won't get the rust off that's on the part of the rotor that's inbetween the pads, and it also won't clean off the rust that's on the pads themselves.


A lot of people are scared to drive their cars "hard", but the engine and brakes benefit from it every so often.

Finally, an additional commentary, a lot of "lightly driven" cars that have rear disc brakes have issues with the rear brakes seizing up due to a lack of heat, which never ends up burning off condensation and rust from the various brake components.