Why are my Zimmermann Brake Rotors Not Fully Z-Coated? Received Rotors from FCPEuro

[arjun90]

I was intrigued by the Zinc Coating Feature and ordered the Zimmernann Rotors earlier this week. I ordered from FCP Euro (aka FCP Groton) and was told the rotors were available in Connecticut. I was pleased since I would receive the package within 1-2 business days. When I received the tracking info, I became extremely concerned because the Rotors appeared to be coming all the way from Carson, California.

I received the Rotors today. First, I was hesitant to open the box since the Box arrived crushed on one of its edges; either could have been handled this way by FedEx Home Delivery or been in this condition from the very start of its journey. As I opened the Zimmernann Box within the Package, areas of the rotors were missing the Z-Coat (as pictured below).

I'm not sure what to do now. I understand the Z-Coat is suppose to come off the more you drive and apply the brakes; however, I'm not sure how long these rotors will live up to its anti-corrosive properties.

[AudiTechS4]

pretty sure your fine. thats how some factory rotors come , they grey stuff is there to keep them from rusting and will burn off after a few stops. i believe the coating really only applys to the hub surface and the veins

[arjun90]

Thanks, I should be good to go ahead with the install then. Hopefully, these rotors will last.

pretty sure your fine. thats how some factory rotors come , they grey stuff is there to keep them from rusting and will burn off after a few stops. i believe the coating really only applys to the hub surface and the veins

[B-Time]

pretty sure your fine. thats how some factory rotors come , they grey stuff is there to keep them from rusting and will burn off after a few stops. i believe the coating really only applys to the hub surface and the veins

This^

The coating on the rotor surface will be scrubbed off immediately. Unfortunately, the contact surface will rust.

[Brandon002]

Because the coating would wear off the first time you hit the brakes.

[arjun90]

That should be fun to watch.

Because the coating would wear off the first time you hit the brakes.

[Brandon002]

Unfortunately you won't be watching unless you can somehow drive with your head next to the wheel.

[arjun90]

Haha, I should have chosen my words more appropriately.

FCP did a daring job coordinating logistics for this order.

[jsmorris]

... First, I was hesitant to open the box since the Box arrived crushed on one of its edges; either could have been handled this way by FedEx Home Delivery or been in this condition from the very start of its journey.

Packaging grade is about a D-. Lots of care with those instructions.

[Brandon002]

Thankfully brake rotors are steel and a dented box doesn't mean a damaged rotor. Imagine the type of force it would take to damage a boxed rotor? They'd have to drop that sucker from about 15 stories up.

[Spike00513]

Because the coating would wear off the first time you hit the brakes.

No. It will likely take over 200 miles. As instructed per Zimmerman themselves, who say to wait to do anything like pad bedding procedures, until the coating is fully scrubbed off by the pads. I had these in the past, and it took a while to scrub off. There is no use in bedding, the point of which is to even out rotor and pad surface (and cook out pad resin), if you're depositing pad material onto a sacrificial zinc coating that will scrub right off.

The coating is a sacrificial layer of zinc on top. It is not meant to protect the rotor face contact surfaces, nor does it. Pads scrub it off. It's meant to protect things like the cooling vanes and hats from rust. If it's scratched off in other areas, you can always spray it with something like Wurth SBS-II.

Clicky

[Racin2redline]

To save the next post after you install these, they probably will rust a little inside the viens and on the hub over time but they won't rot or fully rust over which is the whole benefit. They are only brake rotors not a fancy paint job

I have a set that are over 3 years old on my TT which sits a lot, they have some surface rust but they don't rot away like a generic parts store rotor from china

[arjun90]

The stock rotors on my Audi occasionally developed rust, typically during Winter; also when the car would be sitting for extended times. Fortunately, the rust would come off after driving.

[Brandon002]

Your Zimmerman rotors will develop rust as well. Please don't panic.

[FCPEuro]

The stock rotors on my Audi occasionally developed rust, typically during Winter; also when the car would be sitting for extended times. Fortunately, the rust would come off after driving.

Hello,

I remember talking with you about the Zimmermann brake rotors for your Audi. I'm sorry about the box being shipped to you in that condition, this most likely happened during transit.

The Z-Coat is designed to protect the rotor hats along with the outside edges.

Best Regards
Dave

[julex]

Hello,

I remember talking with you about the Zimmermann brake rotors for your Audi. I'm sorry about the box being shipped to you in that condition, this most likely happened during transit.

The Z-Coat is designed to protect the rotor hats along with the outside edges.

Best Regards
Dave

^ this.

The only part where the coating really matters are hub sides and outer edge, these are the only visible parts once you install the rotors and having these rust is what the coating is there to prevent.

[arjun90]

Thank you
I'm glad I went with the Akebono pads and not the Textar ePads. The Zinc coat on the Zimmermanns is useful but for appearance reasons only. I could have resurfaced my old rotors but didn't find it feasible because they would have had to be replaced eventually anyway.
Old pads weren't that bad.
I still sense the previous rotors were a tad bit warped and the pad surfaces were not uniform, thus explaining the growling when decelerating.
Now I can brake with confidence, haha