Yeah, I know it's the 4th weekend, but, the weary do not rest.
Was detailing me "Jag-u-ar" and came across this ugly rotor.
I have a few ideas, but, what have you guys done to "pretty it up"?
That is, that rusty rotor.....
Happy 4th, for me stateside mates....

 

It appears to be an aftermarket rotor, so replacing it with one that is of higher quality, or removing the rotor and painting the 'hat' part with a paint for high temperature applications may be the best ways.

 

Really, aftermarket?
Wouldn't think a car with 42K miles and serviced by only by Jag dealers would show up with aftermarket, especially with vented rotors.
But, agree a little cleaning then, perhaps, a high heat caliper paint might Pretty them" a bit.

 

I assume you know the history of the vehicle, so perhaps painting the rotor non-friction areas will improve the appearance.

My XK has the factory rotors and they appear different.

 

NBCat,

That rotor is NOT aftermarket, and IS the highest quality. It is easily identifiable by the unique crescent-shape slots as an OEM Alcon rotor that was standard equipment as part of the Portfolio package for 2008. The Alcon performance brake package included 400mm front rotors with 6-piston calipers and 350mm rear rotors with 4-piston calipers. They were the largest brakes ever fitted on a production Jaguar (at least through 2009, as far as I know).

In 2009, Alcon performance brakes became a $5,000 option and were not part of the Portfolio package. How do I know? I own one.

Stuart

 

Well, Stuart, if the OP is concerned about appearance, and the rotors are the original equipment fitted to the vehicle, then removing the rust and painting the non-friction areas would seem the best approach.

Is the rust a function of corrosive road treatment for ice removal in winter?

 

I'll offer this, this car spent most, if not all, of it's mileage in Florida. Therefore, It didn't see much snow, much less, any road salts. I'm thinking it's a general weathering situation that happens to be ugly next to the wheels and pretty calipers.
As I posted separately, I need to locate a Tuner splined socket of some size to remove the lug nuts.
Happy 4th!

 

Ken,
I'm having the same dilemma with my Alcons, just starting to haze some on the fronts. You could tape off nicely and paint or you can do as I plan.
I'm working on locating some 400mm and 350mm floating disks. I then plan to machine the center hats for them. I've talking with performance friction and a few others and can't find the center hats for a floating disk setup.

I spoke with Alcon and they have a 400mm floating rotor that fits but no hat. Forged Performance in Marietta Ga supplies the Alcon 400mm rotors for the GTR. Certainly not cheap but an option to never worry about fading with anodized centers. This is on my to-do list with many other projects. Just need to get the measurements off the rotors.








Appearing with an anodized hat

 

OK, progress in the making....
Rear off the floor, wheels removed, here's what I see. First, am able to rotate the hubs using a sturdy wood tool (Thanks, to a non-LSD rear).
The surfaces aren't all that bad. Have been using a small wire brush and my Dremel to remove the bad stuff. Wiped it clean using Ultra Clean product (paint prep product). Now, have to wait for the humidity to go down. Been rainy (off/on) for weeks. Supposed to be thunder boomers today and the rest of the week.
Pics: Before, after, and misc.....

 

Actually, thought about removing rotors and having them powder coated. Process would be way cheaper. Many colors, from which, to choose. But, would take the girl off the road for a couple weeks. Seriously, look into powder coating as there high-temp formulas available. Had the head on my vintage motor cycle and exhaust system parts coated.

Will see how my careful paintification process holds up.

 

Only ever used OEM rotors on my Jag's all had that similar rusting.

 

Permit me to offer, It takes "nuts" like us to want to improve on the factory's "IT'S OK" way of doing things.

 

Ken,
Thanks for the detailed explanation with pics. Mine look just like yours, and my car has always been garaged and rarely, if ever, driven in the rain or snow. I suspect the cause may be the accumulation of brake dust. I plan to repaint mine depending on how yours turn out.
Stuart

 

Hi Stuart,
Yes, we'll see how it holds up. As I mentioned, I think Powder Coating is the best method. I'll revisit this in the winter, if it looks like the paint won't do the job.

 

Ken,
I just got home and looked at my 2013 XJ and those hats look exactly the same as on my 2009 XKR. Obviously, the hats start to look ugly in a short time. Since this ugly is purely cosmetic and has no effect on performance, it's not worth my time and effort to remove them to have them powder coated. I'll just paint mine matte black, which will be the same color as the brake dust.
Stuart

 

Yep Stuart, a good plan.

 

Hey there, as stated, simply removing the wheels, a quick wire brush n clean up then paint with Hammerite smooth high temp heat resistant paint or similar.
Here's a before of mine below....




Afters....




Good idea to give the calipers a coat of whatever your choice of colour is too.
I redo mine every year, takes around 3-4 hours as I have it down to a science now. I chose to do them not necessarily because I have to but I crave the fresh just done clean n shiny look.

Its a good chance to clean the wheels thoroughly inside n out too

 

Hey JimC64,
I was looking at freshening 'dem calipers too. What's the color and who's product, assuming a rattle can version?

 

I used silver on the hubs and used Hammerite smooth silver ( may not be available where you are? )...I believe though that any high temp heat resistant paint will do the job.
Its a brush on product and one I feel comfortable using. I think a spray ( rattle can ) requires too much masking up and it can still go everywhere.
I'd certainly use this though if I was removing them from the car, taking apart etc etc

For the calipers - I used a product off Ebay, a Ferrari red gloss high temp heat resistant caliper paint ( again - a brush on product ) that gives a really glossy finish

Thanks
Jim

 

Jim,
Do you have much trouble taping off the rotor? I was looking to do the same for now.
Thanks for the pics.