Removing the rust from the brake rotors?

[n00bcar]

I am learning about cars so please be gentle with my newbie questions.

I have a ford fiesta 63 plate. From what I understand is the front two wheels have brake calipers and the back two dont. From a bunch of googling, the back two are called brake rotors. Mines a bit rusty and was wondering is there a way to make them look good again? or is it best to get new ones fitted? If so would it be a good newbie project for me?

[n00bcar]

Pothole said:

Google the difference between disc and drum brakes. Yanks call discs rotors.

Yes. I was going to edit the post and then right drum brakes.

I know the difference now. From what I learnt so far rust is normal on drum brakes?

[n00bcar]

fwaggie said:

If you want to you can take the drums off (a good way to learn how to service your own drum brakes), then use a wire brush to remove the rust and paint them with Hammerite. You could clean the rust off and paint them without taking them off but where's the fun in that?

Do not paint the part that the wheel clamps too - that needs to be bare. Just paint the outer circumference.

Also good idea to clean the inside of the wheels while they're off so it all looks good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjBz-YEhK8A

P.S. Any automotive job is a great excuse to go and buy tools that you need. Impact driver, impact socket, hex and star driver set, ball pein hammer, penetrating oil, decent car jack and axle stands, protective gloves, protective overall, mechanics seat, degreaser and cleaner for the inside of the drum and mechanics, brake cleaner for the brake shoe surfaces.

Ok, maybe the seat and overall is a bit much

Thank you for the response. I watched that video and will follow it. When you mean wheel clamps, do you mean the parts I highlighted in the below picutre?


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Also thank you again for your help, this made everything clear for me

[n00bcar]

A1VDY said:

On all our sales cars, once the brakes are checked/replaced we paint the rear drums (if it has drums) black and both the outer edge and inner edges of the discs in silver. We also have the carrier and calipers done too.
Brings a massive difference to the look of a car seeing new looking brakes rather than rusty corroded ones.

That would look pretty cool do you have any pictures that I can use a reference?

[n00bcar]

Baldchap said:

He means don't paint this bit:

oh thank you. Can I remove the rust off it? I just cant paint it right