2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

polishing rotors

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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 08:26 PM
  #1  
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From: allentown pa
Red face polishing rotors

a couple off months ago i went to a shop in PA(im not going to name it)and they actually clean up the rotors with a rotary tool then sand them down with 2000 grid wetsandpaper and then polish them close to mirror finish,it this ok or not i was told by one off the guys on the shop that this actually dosent afect the rotor weight in any way,its this true guys or its just bulls&^&^* i want to know cuase im running 2 off those rotors on my motor right now and its starting to give me problems(cold start issues,suden loss of power)
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 08:48 PM
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sounds like a waste of time/money/resources to me.
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 08:49 PM
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no it reduces cabon build up on the rotors .
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 08:58 PM
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so its not bad if reduces the carbon build up on the rotors thats means that i have some other isues on my car TURBO II-FB did you now anybody running polished rotors on there cars i want to get some feedback
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 09:20 PM
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Sounds like it might reduce braking power.
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 09:24 PM
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braking power?
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by raptor22
Sounds like it might reduce braking power.

lol...
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 09:53 PM
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lol..^


:AA:
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 10:00 PM
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You think that is funny, but our customers at work actually pay for CHROME rotors! (Yes, I work at a Harley dealership) Talk about a big step in the wrong direction.
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 10:10 PM
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He was talking about the ROTORS...the things that make this a rotary engine... Good luck with them, i don't see them giving you any problems, but then again what do I know... Just logically, if they are smoother there is less surface area for carbon to cling to. All that aside, it won't mess u up, but I see no benefit. Unless the circumstances exist that carbon lock is a relevent threat.
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 10:44 PM
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Oh, gotcha, I was wondering what that had to do with cold starts.

Honestly, I thought it was some wierd ricer-bling thing.

Last edited by raptor22; Apr 24, 2006 at 10:48 PM.
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 10:47 PM
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Wouldn't polishing them also remove the nitride coating and make them more prone to surface rust when not in use? I starting sanding and polishing a show rotor for my garage and after a few runs with the sander it would start to form surface rust after a few hours.

I think it would be a much better use of resources and time to get the faces ceramic coated instead. That way you might gain some thermal benefits as well (although I haven't seen any solid data showing that the coating does more then just keep carbon buildup down. )
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by coxxoc
You think that is funny, but our customers at work actually pay for CHROME rotors! (Yes, I work at a Harley dealership) Talk about a big step in the wrong direction.
Originally Posted by raptor22
Sounds like it might reduce braking power.

Ahahahah LOL.

****, I polish anything I can get my hands on...well working progress.





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Old Apr 25, 2006 | 05:05 AM
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Polishing the rotors makes the carbon harder to stick to it. That's about the only reason for it.
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Old Apr 25, 2006 | 08:30 AM
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as far as the wieght question is concerned sanding anything is removing material, thus decreasing weight.

How much remains to be seen, also whether its enough to affect the balance of the engine remains to be seen as well......but I garuntee you (no matter how little) that the rotor would be lighter after sanding and polishing it.
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Old Apr 25, 2006 | 08:51 AM
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The rotors are not nitrided, so polishing cannot remove a nitride coating. They are cadmium plated though which polishing would generally remove. This means they would rust a lot quicker if left in the open air.

As for effecting the balance, I doubt it's much of an issue do the small amount of material actually removed. You're likely removing less weight then the rotor's natural unbalance.

Another benefit would be to smooth out the combustion area and remove rough castings (for pre '89 rotors). This can eliminate hot spots and help prevent detonation.
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