in my opinion, the short answer is 'no' ......I use them just like they come
out of the box.
It also probably wouldn't hurt to hit them with sandpaper a little, but
normally you would consider a new disc to have a true and straight surface,
and .......I forget what they call it..........there a spec about the
surface condition ............I want to say 'RMS' number......
something like that - but the surface of your new disc is suppossed to be of
the correct roughness as it comes out of the box,
or at least all the brake discs I've ever bought were.

what pads you use, and how you break them in is a factor also. New pads
only, on  a new disc usually, of course.
scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "neil N" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 7:43 PM
Subject: New Front Brake Rotor Question

> Hi all.
>
> I'm installing new rotors on my '81 Westy. I searched archives and
> googled a little, but didn't see mention of this.
>
> Do the surfaces on the rotors need to cross hatched with
> emery/sandpaper? If so, why? To help bed the new pads?
>
> On my Honda Accord, the new front rotors had a cross hatch pattern on
> each face. Hence my question.
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Neil.
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines