Abstract: An abrasive coating is provided on the friction surface of a braking element, such as, but not limited to a disc brake pad. The abrasive coating is capable of removing a protective coating from a rotor during the initial breaking in period of the brake pad. Additionally, the abrasive coating is capable of polishing away surface irregularities on an improperly resurfaced rotor. The abrasive coating is characterized in that no noise is generated during the establishment of the burnish relationship between the brake pad and the rotor that is attributable to the abrasive coating. The abrasive coating is preferably in the form of two parallel stripes substantially centered on the brake pad away from the leading and trailing edges and extending from one lateral edge to the other lateral edge such that the stripes are substantially perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the rotor.