Rust On The Top Hat Of Rotors

[JR91]

I'm planning on getting a new set of wheels in the near future. However, the top hat (part that the brake pads does not come in contact with) of my rotors are very rusty and it will stand out a lot with the wheels that I'm thinking about getting. Does anybody know any products and or methods that I can use to remove that unsightly rust on the top hats of the rotors. I'm on a tight budget since I'm a college student and only working part-time. If I can save money by not having to replace 4 rotors, it would help a lot. Thanks in advance. Dont want it to look like this

[beeristasty]

sandpaper, paint, and elbow grease.

[JR91]

anybody use the products rust reformer or naval jelly?

[IBCoupe]

sandpaper, paint, and elbow grease.

Watch out for the rotor itself. Don't get anything on the part that comes in contact with the pad.

[JR91]

Thanks for the advice. I decided to just suck it up and eventually replace all the rotors and just start fresh. They were a lot worse than i thought. Did any of you guys remove the shield that goes behind the rotors? That part is very rusty and brittle and if i replace the rotors I dont want the rotors to look nice and then have this ugly metal sheet of rust behind it.

[JR91]

Also what would be a reasonable price for replacing all 4 rotors and brake pads? Pepboy's quote was around 540, thats including tax.

[IBCoupe]

I got mine for an online deal: $311 w/ free shipping. You can check out autoanything.com, but I bet the sale's long over.

[beeristasty]

Thanks for the advice. I decided to just suck it up and eventually replace all the rotors and just start fresh. They were a lot worse than i thought. Did any of you guys remove the shield that goes behind the rotors? That part is very rusty and brittle and if i replace the rotors I dont want the rotors to look nice and then have this ugly metal sheet of rust behind it.

Can you really notice the dust shield now? It does keep water and crud from getting into the e brake mech.

But if you're dead set on removing them, you can use tin snips to cut them down. I suggest leaving enough of the shield to bend back towards the inner lip of the rotor hat; that way some of the stuff that splashes up will be deflected away.