Have you noticed a "bad look" oxydation of the calipers ?
The calipers of my early february 04 RX8 look already like old ones
with pale grey and green colors

 

Hi Chimiste,

Isn't it just brake dust, or even just road dirt? Have you tried to clean it?

IKN

 

I don't think so... "soft" cleaning doesn't do anything...
Should I try a metal brush ?
I thought there was a special coating to protect them... but it is not the case !

 

Avoid metal brush for the moment. Better to use some brake cleaner.
I thought the calipers had some surface treatment, in the like of 'zinc chromate'. I'll check the look and colour of my calipers tonight and let you know if I can find an evidence of coating.

 

Thank you IKN
My thought was also not to use metal brush.
I wait for your informations...
Best regards

 

Salut Chimiste,

I checked on my car. My calipers have the same finish as yours. I guess it's an issue on the RX8 just because the wheels are so big you can see everything. I don't think it's getting more corroded than any other car but you can see it more easily. Will check against my wife's car tonight.

Thx,

IKN

 

You're right, IKN, and I thank you for your post.

But don't you think, Mazda should have taken this into account and anticipated !

(look at the calipers on the 350z)

Is it acceptable after only less than two months ?

 

It's too bad the way Mazda left the calipers. I saw an 8 that had been used in the winter, and boy they were terrible rusty hulks right out there in plain view behind those nice open wheels. Ucck!

I'm thinking I have to do the "paint the calipers AND the rotor hub" weeked event soon as has been shown on another thread or else mine will end up looking terrible too.

After seeing up close and personal the problem fully developed on an 8, I'm sure this will become a hot topic of complaint and modification.

I would have gladly paid some$$ up front extra on the base price if mazda had done a better job.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=23687

Don't worry about the greenish color. Do the weekend job and make them look like this...

Craig

 

Good job, indeed, Graig...

Let's see before how Mazda will manage that problem...

 

Checked my wife's Audi A4. It's even worse. More corrosion on calipers and rust on rear rotors. It has 20000 km only, is a premium brand, and costed more than my RX8.
So it's definitely the big wheels' fault.
I will have to do something for the ugly rust on my rear rotors pretty soon. I don't mind about the calipers though.