REFLECTOR:Burnishing Explained

[Dennis Martin]

Ronnie,
Thanks for your very articulate explanation of brake burnishing. 
This will be  on my "MUST DO" list when I start taxi testing this 
summer.
Best, Dennis

>Burnishing the new pads and disks is a process where you begin slow taxi,
>say 30 mph, apply the brakes gently, slow down to 15 mph, then in a minute
>or so, repeat the process.  Then after 4-5 cycles at 30 mph, speed up to 45,
>slow down to 30 for 4-5 cycles, always allowing the pads and disk to cool
>for a minute between cycles.  Then do it from 60 down to 30 mph repeating
>the same drill.  Now, avoid any panic stops for the next dozen landings.
>This will prevent the glaze, hard to stop, fading brakes associated with
>overheating the pads when they are new.  The brakes will last much longer,
>they will be less resistant to fading, and they will generate less heat when
>making hard stops.
>
>I have always done this with my cars, motorcycles, Cessna, and then my
>Velocity.
>
>I read about burnishing pads a long time ago in Motor Trend or Road and
>Track.  They said all of their new test cars had to have this done. Else if
>they had a new car to test, went out and did high speed stops without
>burnishing, the brakes were toast and useless for any further high speed
>stops and maximum braking tests until the pads were replaced and the rotors
>resurfaced (or replaced if warped from the high temps).
>
>I have also received new pads from Rapco that had a note with them about
>burnishing their pads when new.
>
>Try it, it is not hard to do.  Like Rob says, don't ride the brakes, this
>can overheat them too when they are new.
>
>Ronnie
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Dennis Martin" <dmartin@cougar.netutah.net>
>To: <reflector@tvbf.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 7:05 PM
>Subject: Re: REFLECTOR:Brake selection.
>
>
>| >Greg wrote:
>| >It is important to burnish the pads and disks before hard stops are
>| >made.  Then
>| >more stopping power is available with out generating as much heat.
>|
>| Please explain "burnish."  Is this done before you install pads?
>| Thanks in advance,
>| Dennis
>|
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