Brake Rotor Cleaning

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Models: All

Model Years: All

Information: The friction surface of the brake rotor must be clean before the pads make contact for the break in process. The break in process is necessary to establish a uniform friction coefficient for proper brake system operation.

Work Procedure: Brake rotors have anti-corrosion coatings applied during production. Some coatings need to be cleaned off and some do not.

Cleaning Required

Porsche rotors are painted with an anti-corrosion coating. Then, the friction surface is machined to provide a non-directional finish. The exposed metal on the friction surface has oil applied to inhibit corrosion until it is time to be installed on the vehicle.

Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

It is necessary to clean the oil off of the friction surface of the rotors. Even if the surface doesn't appear oily, cleaning will ensure that the pads are not contaminated during the break in process.

Some rotor friction surfaces are protected with waxy grease that inhibits corrosion. This also requires cleaning.

NOTE: ALL Porsche rotor friction surfaces need to be cleaned prior to installation. A brake cleaning solvent is sufficient for the task. Greasy or oily marks from the fingers and hands can adversely affect the lining material transfer during the break in process as well.

Cleaning NOT Required

There are rotor coatings used by other manufacturers that are painted on the entire rotor and do not need to be cleaned off prior to installation. The entire rotor has a uniform color (usually grey) from the painting process.

The coating and the pad materials have been designed so that contamination is not an issue. Two of the typical product names for these coatings are Dacromet & Geomet. The coatings are also used on metal hardware such as brackets and bolts, etc.