Painting rear drums

I know this has probably been asked. So if someone could direct me to the thread it would be great.

I noticed yesterday that there is some normal rust on the outside of the brake drum. Can it be painted? Any special prep I would need to do?

 

Wire brush the rust off then rattle can

 

That's what I was thinking but I wanted to make sure before I did it. Thanks

 

Be sure to put a thin film of grease on the back of the wheel hat. This will help keep your wheels from sticking next time you pull them

 

Well I was thinking of leaving them on the truck and painting them. To be honest I haven't really dealt with drum brakes that much. My s10 had them but I never needed to change them in the time I had the truck. Especially since it was a manual and my ram had disc all the way around.
So the better question is should I remove it and paint it that way

 

I'll assume you aren't looking for a hot color to show off your old tech, just something to protect the surface and make them appear a bit cleaner.

The drum is nothing but a chuck of cast iron, and you can treat it as such.

Meaning you can simply wire brush and/or sand the rust spots and shoot it with black Rustoleum, Krylon, or BBQ grill paint. Whatever.

Another color that is sedate but looks nice in many applications is Rebuilders Cast by Plasticote. I've used it on calipers many times. No reason not to use it on the drums too, if you like the look.

 

As mentioned, it's just a hunk of cast iron. Personally I'd wire wheel any rust off, then a high heat primer and paint. And, for the sake of all that is right and proper, just paint them black.

 

That was my plan was to paint them black. I just don't like seeing the rust. Lol
So keep them on the truck. Wire brush and paint was my plan.

 

I'd cover the bed sides with a cheap lightweight plastic sheet, and mask off the wheel studs too. But you probably already thought of that.

 

Yes sir!!! I do some detailing on the side and have seen many people paint their drums and all I see is over spray. From doing little projects like this. They get mad that I wasn't able to get the paint off. But oh well. You win some and you lose some. Lol

Thanks again everyone!

 

I’d pull them off and paint them on some cardboard away from your rig. That way no risk of overspray. They pull right off so long you don’t have the park brake on..

 

Use high heat engine paint !

 

Rustoleum high heat black like 2,000 degrees works great. Found anything like engine paint will get sticky, and melt to your wheels making it a bitch to remove your tires the next time to rotate them..