White stuff/oxidation on brand new car brake caliper?

[Will2]

One rear brake caliper is missing that shiny silver finish the other one has. I've never had a brand new car caliper look like this. Never been on salted roads, etc.

What is that white stuff is and how do I get rid of it? Or is it oxidation and thus the surface is already screwed? Rubbing alcohol didn't do anything.

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[Skye]

I noticed from your profile: California. For clarification, do you live in a costal area?

Reason I ask is I remember a thread or two in the 6G forum with GT500 owners, living in Florida. Some were noticing oxidation occurring on their superchargers. To them, it was an appearance only issue and an annoyance.

What does interest me is one caliper is giving that appearance and one is not.

Interested to see if others report seeing same.

Aluminum can oxidize and coat an item, then stop. Removing the oxidation is often temporary. Without changing the environmental factors (weather, but also the materials), the residue returns.

Aluminum can rust/corrode. But in these examples, it looks like rust: various shades of brown and red.

Using my truck as a reference, the aluminum calipers are years old, dealt with rain, snow and salt. No oxidation. No pitting. No rust. To the S550, an age-expected patina, but no powdery residue or oxidized appearance.

 

[Frogdog1]

I noticed from your profile: California. For clarification, do you live in a costal area?

Reason I ask is I remember a thread or two in the 6G forum with GT500 owners, living in Florida. Some were noticing oxidation occurring on their superchargers. To them, it was an appearance only issue and an annoyance.

What does interest me is one caliper is giving that appearance and one is not.

Interested to see if others report seeing same.

Aluminum can oxidize and coat an item, then stop. Removing the oxidation is often temporary. Without changing the environmental factors (weather, but also the materials), the residue returns.

Aluminum can rust/corrode. But in these examples, it looks like rust: various shades of brown and red. Using my truck as a reference, the aluminum calipers are years old, dealt with rain, snow and salt. No oxidation. No pitting. No rust. To the S550, an age-expected patina, but no powdery residue or oxidized appearance.

ALL aluminum immediately forms a thin layer of oxidation immediately after being molded, cast, extruded, or whatever is done to it from the liquid state. I spend over 15 years in the industry. ALL aluminum hardens or "ages" for a period of time after the same processes are finished from a molten state. Certain things (salt water, salt air, salt, acid, and other things will corrode aluminum as well. Just an FYI.

 

[Will2]

No, I'm in a hot dry area that was up to 100F last week.

I'm referring to the caliper not the rust on the wheel hub, but it is interesting that it's so rusted so early. Built April '25, bought May '25, no exposure to rain/snow/salted roads, etc.

 

[dusman59]

Someone at sometime might have used an acid type wheel cleaner or iron remover. This might have been done during the dealer prep.

 

[Skye]

I'm referring to the caliper not the rust on the wheel hub, but it is interesting that it's so rusted so early.

Understood. I was looking at the caliper as well. To the hub, I'm not concerned about that. My discs are rusty within 30 minutes of washing the car. To get it off the surface where the pad meets the disc, I do a parade lap around the block, before putting in the garage.

I like @dusman59 's thought, that during dealer prep, something was done. Decon solutions are strong to begin with. If left to sit and dry on their own, it might have had that effect. IDK. That could explain the difference between the two.

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