I'm in the process of cleaning my truck's drums by wire wheeling the rust off of the exterior of them & then painting them for some protection from rusting more. (See pic)

The inner surface of them is smooth. Should I scuff it up some or leave it that way?

Brake Drums Before & After Cleaning & Painting


How the heck do a make my pics appear smaller??

 

If your not replacing the shoes leave the drum surface as they are but clean.
The lining and drum surfaces are already seated to each other.
They won't get any better.
Good luck.

 

Thanks, Bluegrass.

As you figured, I will not be replacing the shoes.

 

unless the shoes appear to be glazed, then I rub 100 grit sand paper over them and same for the drum.

 

How do you tell if they're glazed?

 

if they look hard/ bright / shinny .......... I just run the paper over them for 10-20 strokes.

 

look at a pair of new shoes... the surface has the texture like a piece of fine sandpaper, not a piece of glass.

 

Rough up the surface of the shoes.

Also make certain the inner drum surfaces are absolutely free of oil or grease, brake fluid etc. New drums have a rust-prevention compound coating as well, lots of hot soapy water and scrubbing will remove it, followed by a final cleaning with a naptha soaked machinery towel.

Once they are clean, it can be a little tricky but it's also important to avoid getting greasy fingerprints on brake pads or rotors and the inner drum surface. Disposable gloves can help with this.