How critical is the "Soft Material" on rotors?
 

First off, what exactly is it, and where is it. Is it just the goldish coloring on the entire rotor face (as they FSM may suggest but its kind of vague) or is it the rough looking stuff just outside the side seal grooves. I have read threads and talked to people that have suggested either one but I've never received conclusive answers.

The FSM advises to not remove it, but I have seen numerous build threads where the images show shiny smooth rotor faces. I've been told that the soft material is there to protect the iron in the event that the rotor face comes into contact with it. But seriously, how much can soft material, that can be removed with anything more than a toothbrush, do to prevent or minimize damage from an iron rotor contacting an iron plate? Sure it might help briefly until its all worn off, then you're in the same boat as if you didn't have it anyway, right? Also, wouldn't the rotor gear hit the iron before the rotor face anyway?

Can someone enlighten me on this?

fairly certain the softer material is on the sides of the rotors.

Shoot, sorry. When I say face I was meaning the side, I've always thought of the side of the rotor as the "face". Yes I mean the side of the rotor.

So does anyone have any thoughts on this?

i never touched the stuff on my build but my motor wasn't the original engine either. i cleaned the carbon out of the bathtub thoroughly though.

the "soft material" they talk about is the stuff that is between the side seal groove and the face.

new rotors don't have it, so it can't be super important.

so that means you can clean the face, and the grooves no problem