Topic: sandblasting brake rotors

[toy94x4]

I just picked up a new to me brake rotor from the yard and it had a lot of rust on it. So I sandblasted it and it looks great. But my question now is do I need to prime the area that the pads are not going to contact, or does it really matter. Also where the pads will rub, it's not shiny like I usually see. This seems like a dumb question, but is the shinyness put there by the pads rubbing... or did I take too much away by sandblasting. I'm pretty sure I'm ok, but just want to double check. Thanks.

[kyle_22r]

you probably want that to be smooth.  take it to a shop and get it turned/ground...

[Rebeltilldeath3]

Yeah, get it turned or your pads will be gone in a week.

[toy94x4 [OP]]

funny thing is... it came out real smooth. It had a couple grooves in it before, but they aren't there now. The whole thing looks like it's brand new, I'm just concerned for some reason about the pad area that I usually see have almost a shine to it. Might just be being over cautious though. Don't they just machine metal away when they turn it to make it the same width all the way around?

[Duffil]

get it turned, as they said...you don't really want any rotor looking shiny...thats when thaey are glazed should be smooth but not shiny (be able to see yourself in it...)...ideally, you turn the rotors every time you replace pads, so thae you hav two equally flat areas to wear aginst...remember, these are your brakes...this is the most important safety system on your rig...and yes, we only machine away metal...should be no shine, and look like new, if it was done right.

[toy94x4 [OP]]

ok... thanks for the quick reply's. Good to know. I'll get 'em turned while they're already off.

[brainlessfool]

If ya paint them use header paint. anything elas will brun off.

[Makman]

Get them turned by somebody that knows what they're doing.  If your rotors are turned with too coarse of a finish then your stopping distance can actually increase, not to mention your pad wear.  Just FYI, I'd be shocked if you could stop your truck with sand blasted rotors without locking 'em up.  Too much traction on a brake rotor is not a good thing.

On a side note, it was mentioned that turning your rotors every time you replace pads is ideal.  The major auto manufacturers don't necessarilly agree, although you should check thickness and wear characteristics to determine whether turning is required.  Minor circumferential grooving is perfectly normal and won't negatively impact performance or pad life once the pads have been seated.  The only thing unnecessarily turning your rotors accomplishes is to shorten the life of the rotors.  Just my