Cleanaing and breaking in new brake rotors

[WmWatt]

The guy at the parts store said to clean the gunk off the new rotors before use. Research on the Internet says hot soapy water is okay if you don't have brake cleaner. Anyone confirm this?

Research on the Internet also suggests breaking in (bedding) new rotors and tells how. Basically applying brakes in a controlled way to heat up the components and then cool them off. All done while car is in motion. Anyone do this? Components last longer or brakes work better? (Am putting on new rotors, calipers, pads.)

Thanks.

[91_festy_Gl]

I have never cleaned any rotors I put on any car. usually just change rotors and pads and do alittle light braking for the first 50 miles or so then after that its gravy.

[TominMO]

I'd just use brake cleaner to clean the protective coating off.

For break-in, just drive conservatively in the city for a few miles, i.e. gentle braking.

[91blufestiva]

I have always been told to spray it with carb spray and then wipe it off. Works pretty good for me

[WmWatt]

Okay, I have carb spray. Will use. Thanks.

Sorry for misspelling "cleaning". Not good for searches.

[89newb]

yeah brake clean or carb spray will clean them off. as for "breaking them in" i usually do30 yard stops. (driving at 15 mph and stopping every 30 yards repeatedly)

[Christ]

I don't bed rotors or pads. I think alot of those "techniques" and common procedures need to be updated, because technology certainly has been.

The coating on the rotors is a type of packing oil, and will literally burn off on the first hard brake application. Bedding pads and rotors has more to do with lose mfg tolerances, that I know of. The idea was to make the pads the same shape as the rotors/drums, so maximum contact was achieved. Whens the last time you got a not smooth rotor or drum or shoe our pad out of the box?

[Basement_Modder]

^I disagree. I once bought a slotted rotor that wasn't smooth at all.