Anyone know how to get the aluminum rotor hat clean on a 135?

str8shot · 02-14-2015, 09:53 AM

Here's what I'm trying to clean up:

I'm thinking the hat might be slightly anodized.

Anyone have a good way to clean aluminum? I think polishing is out of the question - just looking for something to take the black off it.

Gray_Panther · 02-14-2015, 10:28 AM

Scrape as much rust off with sandpaper or steel wool. Then take some mothers mag and aluminum rubbing polish to it.

dcaron9999 · 02-14-2015, 10:34 AM

That'll buff right out ... lol

Wire brush attachment in a hand drill, will bring it to a nice shine. Then a couple of coats of high temp clear coat from a spray can (brake caliper or engine grade spray clear coat), Protect the face of your rotors from the overspray.

That's what I do with my fronts. They look nice longer, and are easier to clean next time around.

swagon · 02-14-2015, 11:51 AM

I have polished the hubs with a metal polish by hand and now they're shiny as dog's balls.

I'd suggest cleaning it first with IPA maybe & some old rug, then polish it with an MF towel. It may take some time.

CAVU · 02-18-2015, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Scrape as much rust off with sandpaper or steel wool. Then take some mothers mag and aluminum rubbing polish to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcaron9999

That'll buff right out ... lol

Wire brush attachment in a hand drill, will bring it to a nice shine. Then a couple of coats of high temp clear coat from a spray can (brake caliper or engine grade spray clear coat), Protect the face of your rotors from the overspray.

That's what I do with my fronts. They look nice longer, and are easier to clean next time around.

Using steel wool or a wire brush with steel bristles on an aluminum part is a bad idea because you can end up with galvanic corrosion. It's a big no-no in the aircraft industry... although it seems to be a common practice in the automotive world.

I would clean the hub first with soap and water, then use a metal polish and rag (or a plastic-based scouring pad if absolutely required), followed by some sort of wax (tech wax or other). Not sure about the clear coat, but it probably can't hurt.

darkrom · 06-19-2015, 07:52 AM

Spraypainted them silver. Came out fine lol.

str8shot · 08-11-2015, 08:06 AM

Well, here's the final result after about 3 hours of polishing yesterday.

Used a rotary tool with my neighbors huge 200 gallon air compressor. My pancake compressor would run it for about 15 seconds.

Also hit the rear with some silver. Not too worried about the light over spray on the rotor face. First tap of the brakes will take it off (it's light)
.

tglazed · 08-11-2015, 11:14 AM

Off topic: do your front rotors eat through pads?

str8shot · 08-12-2015, 10:19 AM

No - in my case it was the exact opposite. My Hawk HPS's ate through the OEM rotor.

I haven't driven the car since I installed the performance rotors yesterday.

Waiting on my wheels to come back from powder coating.

02-14-2015, 09:53 AM	#1
str8shot Lieutenant 107 Rep 471 Posts Drives: N54 Montego Blue 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Wisco iTrader: (1)	Anyone know how to get the aluminum rotor hat clean on a 135? Here's what I'm trying to clean up: I'm thinking the hat might be slightly anodized. Anyone have a good way to clean aluminum? I think polishing is out of the question - just looking for something to take the black off it. __________________ 08 Montego Blue 135i Coupe // Sport Package // Custom E30 tune // str8shot bluetooth enabled ECA // Walboro 255 inline pump // BMS downpipes // VRSF 7" FMIC // Injen intake // Berk ceramic exhaust // OEM 550i clutch // MFactory single mass flywheel // Vorshlag camber plates // Hotchkis FSB // Turner adjustable drop links // AST 5100 coilovers // Hawk HPS pads // Ti backing plates // Stoptech stainless brake lines // Turner 15mm spacers
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02-14-2015, 10:28 AM	#2
Gray_Panther Brigadier General 1555 Rep 3,234 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	Scrape as much rust off with sandpaper or steel wool. Then take some mothers mag and aluminum rubbing polish to it. __________________ 2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic
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02-14-2015, 10:34 AM	#3
dcaron9999 Major 157 Rep 1,409 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M package Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mirabel, Quebec iTrader: (0)	That'll buff right out ... lol Wire brush attachment in a hand drill, will bring it to a nice shine. Then a couple of coats of high temp clear coat from a spray can (brake caliper or engine grade spray clear coat), Protect the face of your rotors from the overspray. That's what I do with my fronts. They look nice longer, and are easier to clean next time around. __________________ 2011 X3 35i with M pack + 2011 135i w/6SPMT \| 255 square tire setup \| Quaife 3.46 LSD \| Diff lock down bracket \| Bilstein B8+Swift SpecR springs+H&R FSB \| CDV delete \| BMS Oil Tstat bypass \| ER FMIC & CP \| N54Tuning DP \| GC Street Camber Plates \| M3 FCA +guide rods+RSFB's+Tranny mounts \| Manzo toe arms \| Cobb Stg2 agressive tune \| Hawk DTC70 brake pads \| RB SS brake pistons \| Goodridge SS brake lines \| Custom brake cooling ducts
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02-14-2015, 11:51 AM	#4
swagon Major General 13518 Rep 8,163 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	I have polished the hubs with a metal polish by hand and now they're shiny as dog's balls. I'd suggest cleaning it first with IPA maybe & some old rug, then polish it with an MF towel. It may take some time. __________________
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06-19-2015, 07:52 AM	#6
darkrom Colonel 188 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (5)	Spraypainted them silver. Came out fine lol.
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08-11-2015, 08:06 AM	#7
str8shot Lieutenant 107 Rep 471 Posts Drives: N54 Montego Blue 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Wisco iTrader: (1)	Well, here's the final result after about 3 hours of polishing yesterday. Used a rotary tool with my neighbors huge 200 gallon air compressor. My pancake compressor would run it for about 15 seconds. Also hit the rear with some silver. Not too worried about the light over spray on the rotor face. First tap of the brakes will take it off (it's light) . __________________ 08 Montego Blue 135i Coupe // Sport Package // Custom E30 tune // str8shot bluetooth enabled ECA // Walboro 255 inline pump // BMS downpipes // VRSF 7" FMIC // Injen intake // Berk ceramic exhaust // OEM 550i clutch // MFactory single mass flywheel // Vorshlag camber plates // Hotchkis FSB // Turner adjustable drop links // AST 5100 coilovers // Hawk HPS pads // Ti backing plates // Stoptech stainless brake lines // Turner 15mm spacers
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08-11-2015, 11:14 AM	#8
tglazed Lieutenant 46 Rep 406 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SLC, Utah iTrader: (1)	Off topic: do your front rotors eat through pads?
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08-12-2015, 10:19 AM	#9
str8shot Lieutenant 107 Rep 471 Posts Drives: N54 Montego Blue 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Wisco iTrader: (1)	No - in my case it was the exact opposite. My Hawk HPS's ate through the OEM rotor. I haven't driven the car since I installed the performance rotors yesterday. Waiting on my wheels to come back from powder coating. __________________ 08 Montego Blue 135i Coupe // Sport Package // Custom E30 tune // str8shot bluetooth enabled ECA // Walboro 255 inline pump // BMS downpipes // VRSF 7" FMIC // Injen intake // Berk ceramic exhaust // OEM 550i clutch // MFactory single mass flywheel // Vorshlag camber plates // Hotchkis FSB // Turner adjustable drop links // AST 5100 coilovers // Hawk HPS pads // Ti backing plates // Stoptech stainless brake lines // Turner 15mm spacers
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