Abstract: Provided is a pre-burnished brake pad that has been contacted with a heat source having a power in the range of 250 Mw/m.sup.2 to about 500 Mw/m.sup.2.

Abstract: A coating for reducing brake pad noise is provided that includes about 40 to about 90% by weight of a phenolic thermosetting resin, about 1 to about 40% by weight of graphite, about 1 to about 40% by weight of molybdenum disulfide, and, 0 to about 40% by weight of fillers and pigments. The coating is applied to a brake pad and cured. A method for reducing brake noise is also provided which includes the steps of coating a brake pad surface with a coating including about 40 to about 90% by weight of a phenolic thermosetting resin, about 1 to about 40% by weight of graphite, about 1 to about 40% by weight of molybdenum disulfide, and 0 to about 40% by weight of fillers and pigments, and curing the coating.