Painted Rotors - the wheel to rotor mating surface - bad idea?

[Joe_Rocket]

Is it OK to paint the rotor hat where the wheel mates to the rotor?

I thought I heard somewhere once that you shouldn't because you'd want the metal-to-metal grip between the wheel and rotor. Though I doubt I'd ever put enough stress on my car to shear the wheel studs, I'm wondering what any of your thoughts are on this.

[SHANE 73Z]

Joe,

I think this would be a bad idea more from a standpoint that when taking the wheels on/off you are going to damage the paint. When this ahappens I think you would have a problem with the paint pulverizing (grinding into powder) allowing the wheel to come loose.

Just a thought,
Shane

[Steve68]

I had my rotors zinc washed, like Baer does, looks nice, Steve

[CoryM]

Paint is usually a bad idea between two loaded surfaces. The paint can shift/wear/melt causing the torque on the bolts to be reduced. Same idea as having dirt between the clamping surfaces.
Cheers.

[kmcanally]

Yeah if you are trying to prevent corrosion on this area then the best thing is a zinc plate like I did to my Baers. I bought these brakes prior to the logo calipers and the zinc wash rotor option.