The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Stopping rust on freshly machined drums....

So my dad has finally decided to get the permits approved to start building our detached shop, which will be where my truck is currently sitting on jack stands. Im waiting to get my shoes back from being relined and drums from being machined, once those are back on, we will be moving the truck either onto the grass in my backyard, or (if room) somewhere's in my driveway.

That being said, i wont be able to tinker that often with school starting up and helping my dad build. are there any tricks from stopping rust from starting on the drums?

I have the same problem often.Our humidity here is so high that any ferrous machined surface exposed to the atmosphere is likely to develop surface rusting in days and will progress from there.I am currently using a spray product I picked up at Lowes, I believe marketed by Dupont--they have 2 kinds packaged nearly alike 1 is a dry lubricant containing Teflon and 1 is a wet lubricant containing the same.Label says leaves a wax like film that lubes and protects from rust.I am using the dry type on seldom used tools and metal surfaces and so far I like what I see.Wipes off easily with a petroleum solvent or brake cleaner.I have used a similar product by LPS and many rattle can paint racks have a similar product.DON'T use WD 40.It attracts moisture and in the end makes things worse.
For some serious rust protection take a look at some products by Sanchem Inc. they have some powerful stuff.
Anybody heard of "cosmoline"?

Cosmoline, yes, it use to be on all the machinery we installed at the plant. It was a protective as it came across the ocean!
I also remember if its on pretty heavy it could be a booger to get really clean and slick...but darn good stuff.

Could cosmoline affect the brake pads?

Spray them down with phosphoric acid or even a light coat of paint.

Remember, the drums are fairly well sealed from the weather and the first time the brakes are used hard they will shine practically like new no matter the rust!

Jeff

If I was told correctly, cosmoline is used with newer drums as well to protect them after manufacturing and during shipping. Instructions usually indicate to clean the friction surface before installing, however you could leave the other surfaces with it on as a protectant unless you plan on painting the outside.

Personally, I would want to keep anything oily or waxy (including cosmoline) far away from my brake linings. I want friction, not slippage between drum and lining.
I see no problem with protecting the drum for storage, provided there is no way for the protectant to get on the lining and that it is all cleaned off before trying to use the brakes.
For longer term storage while the truck is under restoration, why not take out the shoes and linings and protect the drums, then clean and reinstal the friction parts before putting it together to go on the road. This way you are going to do an inspection shortly before driving, make sure all the mouse nests are out of the drum etc. Also, the linings can't freeze to the drums to make it hard for you to move the truck during restoration. If doing this, you might want to secure the wheel cylinders to keep them assembled rather than having them expand and possibly pop the pistons during storage.
I would also want to clean any preservatives from the outside of the drum before driving because I'm not sure if they would resist the heat generated during braking without flowing into places they are not wanted and either stinking, smoking or burning when the brakes are used.

I for sure wouldn't use any sort of grease, cosmoline, oil or the like.
Some phosphoric acid sounds like a good idea, or a better product is:
http://www.picklex.com/

Grigg

Surface rust on the drums is a non issue. The first time you touch the brakes the rust is gone. Anything you put on the friction surface will contaminate the shoes and likely cause grabbing brakes.

Light surface rust isn't a problem, but depending on your location you might grow the thick fuzzy rust which wouldn't be good for the brake shoes, might clog them up first thing.

....I must admit that for a "winter" storage or other fairly short term storage I wrap "about anything" in a saran like wrap. At Advance Auto I get the "short" rolls of the "saran" for free. Its like the material used to wrap around pallets. I know all of you have seen it. A little roll goes a long way. It does a great job for me here in S.C. I use it to even wrap around stuff from big transmissions to a small brace. Keeps if from rusting and being skinned up.
No cleaning or anything. Just un-wrap and use.

I also use it to wrap stuff I'm shipping and which reduces the weight and size of packages meaning less cost to ship. Not on everything but a lot of stuff!

my plans are, once i get the drums back from the shop, i will take a wire brush to any surface rust that has started on the outside of the drums, and spray that with BBQ grill paint. i guess ill be looking for some Phosphoric Acid for the friction part of the drum?

Josh, you really shouldn't need to do anything to the friction surface or worry about it at all, and I'd strongly advise against using any treatments of any kind on those porous surfaces - the minimal flash rust that might happen sitting over the winter will be taken care of by simply using the brakes - many vintage vehicles here spend the winters sitting, not a problem - if you're fussy, pull the drums when you get back to work on the truck and take a look, a light buff with fine emery cloth would be the most that'll be needed

Bill

And the first thing I think of when reading this, is to picture your whole truck wrapped up for winter!

haha alrighty, ill just leave them alone

Now yer talking.

....just for what its worth dept about other surface rust...
I usually bead blast and clean up the drums and put a coat of primer/paint on them as if they're finished.
The guy, just up the road, that does my turning is good about not "throwing your stuff around". That way I don't have to worry about overspray or anything else. Just pick them up and use them or wrap'em up and let them set. It just maks such a neat job to paint and then turn them....yes, its overboard but I do that on some things!

I bought a 78 Lincoln that was parked on grass and the whole underside is rusting away. Not sure how long it was on this guys lawn, but they had replaced the brake lines and exhaust. I replaced the whole fuel line and a tank strap. Now its leaking trans fluid and I hope its only a rotted line. I'd never park a vehicle on grass for any length of time or buy one again that was.