Orange/Brown dust on brake rotors

[voodooboy22]

I washed the car today and while cleaning the rims and spraying Armor-All wheel protectant, I noticed all the rotors covered in some weird orange/brown dust. I say this was dust because I wiped a part of the rotor with a wet cloth and I could see the shiny rotor surface underneath it.



Anyone else noticed this, and if so, any idea what it is and what is causing it? it really looks ugly...

[Turbwhistle]

Rust?

[AudiNFS]

Happens to me when I wash my car all the time. Hit the brakes a few times while you're driving and it goes away.

[shinamura]

ya same here, it shows up on mine and my dad's b5 rotors all the time

[svander]

Happens to all cars...

[tomh009]

The rotors are amazing ... you can actually see the rust forming on them!

[audirings4]

Is this the first time you've ever washed a car?
Just asking because this happens to every car when you wash it.

[P_RsS4]

Yeah, it happens to my cars every time I wash them as well. You need to clean the inside of your wheels though. If you let it go too long it will be a pain and the only way to get them nice and clean will be to remove the wheels..

[voodooboy22]

Is this the first time you've ever washed a car?
Just asking because this happens to every car when you wash it.

My previous car (Jetta) had full wheel plastic covers, because of which I couldn't see the rotors. The other car we have now (Eos) does seem to have as much, rust, on its rotors (even though it is 3+ years old).

My first guess was rust. But I couldn't imagine rust forming on 2 month/2000 mile rotors. Oh well! Learnt something new today!

[voodooboy22]

Yeah, it happens to my cars every time I wash them as well. You need to clean the inside of your wheels though. If you let it go too long it will be a pain and the only way to get them nice and clean will be to remove the wheels..

I know, I really wanted to. But the fact that I can't clean/wash my car in my apartment premises means I have to take it to the DIY car wash nearby, which almost always has people lining up behind you. Being pressed for time, I just cleaned the outer rim surface this time. But yes, I get that it'll only be more difficult to get rid off as time goes by. DAMN these pads dust like crazy! 0_o

[ferrariyellow44]

Rotors cant have rust protectant on the surface so that's why they rust. Ive never seen it not happen to a car with steel rotors if you let the water dry on the rotors. If you have carbon ceramics its a different story

[IanVr6]

Is this the first time you've ever washed a car?
Just asking because this happens to every car when you wash it.

LOL!

[UmIsThisThingOn]

Anyone here ever notice a 'pinging' sound coming from the exhaust after shut off?
Or a 'buzzing' sound when you open the driver's door?

... runs away ...

[svander]

Anyone here ever notice a 'pinging' sound coming from the exhaust after shut off?
Or a 'buzzing' sound when you open the driver's door?

... runs away ...

I get that pinging sound coming from the brakes after driving hard for a bit! Better make a thread about it. :P