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Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:23 pm

While I've had the wheels off dealing with the axle issue, I wire-brushed the brake drums to get all of the surface rust off. I'd like to paint them to keep them from rusting more. What other prep is required to make sure that these drums (and/or the paint job) lasts for a while. I'm not looking for perfection or show quality -- just want to protect the drums from rusting more.

I've got a couple rattlecans of semi-matching, navy Rust-O-Leum that I'm planning to use. I've seen in other threads the steel wool+WD40 method of cleaning things, is that required or recommended in this case? Also, should I pull the drums off the car to paint? Or can I just mask/paper the back side of the drum/fender area?

FWIW, the front has disk brakes, so it would only match if I painted the calipers with the same paint, which I don't plan on doing any time soon. Not too worried about matching, just want to prevent rust on the drums.

Thoughts?

Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:35 pm

Some rust converting primer would be nice.

But any paint beats no paint.

Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:39 pm

Randy in Maine wrote: Some rust converting primer would be nice.

What is this fantastical product you speak of? ;-)

Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:43 pm

There are plenty different kinds. One is
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-rust-converter-new-formula-aerosol.html

Search around, you will find more

Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:54 pm

HOLY HELL $16 for a can of RUST CONVERTER? Eastwood... :roll:

I've had excellent results with Rustoleum Engine enamel for painting drums/calipers.

Just clean the drums with a wire brush and then spray with some brake cleaner and let it dry. Then just simply spray on two or three light coats of Rustoleum Engine enamel. I did the calipers on my Subaru using this exact method over a year/15,000 miles ago and they still look great with no peeling. I just spray the brake dust off at the car wash every week. Simple.

Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:55 pm

Nucvegas wrote: There are plenty different kinds. One is
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-rust-converter-new-formula-aerosol.html

Search around, you will find more

Sweet! Will definitely look into that!

Tue Oct 30, 2012 8:04 pm

Wire brush till you get the metal to come through (if they are really rusty), brake cleaner, more brake cleaner, paint.

If you do the WD40 prep then make sure you clean all the WD40 off with brake cleaner or my fav lacquer thinner before painting.

No need to take off unless you are painting on a windy day or it's too cold. A piece of cardboard behind he drum should do for the inner fender. And just watch how you spray. I spun the drum as I sprayed mine using a stick in one of the lug bolt holes.

Surface prep is where it counts. I used Rustoleum's Universal Hammered Spray Paint. Been on there for 6 years and still holding up. Car sat outside on the Gulf Coast.

Tue Oct 30, 2012 8:38 pm

We have not done it yet, but we have a can of this:

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/engine-paint.html

(in fire red, of course) that we plan to use for the rotors and calipers.

In theory it works:

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/search.html?q=drums

Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:58 am

Rustoleum Rust Converter (available at most hardware stores) works great. Then follow up with Rustoleum Hi Performance paint - or their Barbecue paint (if black is OK). Holds up pretty well (as in years unless you overhead the hell out of your brakes). Make sure that you knock the real loose rust off and degrease the hell out of the drums. Mask off or resand the shoe contact area.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 5:05 am

I hope you're picking up on the message that you need something that'll withstand heat. Use regular spray paint and it'll smoke and bubble due to the heat buildup from braking... been there, done that. :oops:

Wed Oct 31, 2012 5:27 am

How about caliper paint?

Max

Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:30 am

I used a Rustoleum rust converter primer and BBQ black spray paint (because that was what I had laying around).

Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:06 am

Engine enamel works great and can take the heat.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:01 am

I use 98cent gloss black spray paint from wal mart. Works great for over 10 yrs.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:15 pm

andk5591 wrote: Rustoleum Rust Converter (available at most hardware stores) works great. Then follow up with Rustoleum Hi Performance paint - or their Barbecue paint (if black is OK). Holds up pretty well (as in years unless you overhead the hell out of your brakes). Make sure that you knock the real loose rust off and degrease the hell out of the drums. Mask off or resand the shoe contact area.

Yep, I used the rust converter and plain ole Rustoleum satin black.
Before:

After:

Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:28 pm

Ae0187 wrote: I use 98cent gloss black spray paint from wal mart. Works great for over 10 yrs.
Yep why try to complicate everything

Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:49 pm

These rear drums really should not be getting hot enough to burn off a decent paint.

The high temp paint (BBQ paint) is probably overkill, but I used what I had laying around. No issues for me.

Wed Oct 31, 2012 5:59 pm

I got a can of Rustoleum's "Rusty Metal Primer" and a can of VHT caliper paint. Hopefully that does the trick.

Going to re-brush the drums, dust, then clean with brake cleaner this weekend, and most likely get them painted. The front still has the wheels on, but maybe I'll paint the calipers later on. ;-)

Wed Oct 31, 2012 6:33 pm

Caliper paint on my KGs drums and rotors.

Max

Wed Oct 31, 2012 7:00 pm

meh, your car will rust away before the drums do. the metal is very thick and heavy. you must have loads of free time and/or have an otherwise museum condition car to be worrying about surface oxidation on the exterior of the brake drums.