Painting Brake Calipers?

[Ridin13]

I was curious what paint you use. Either spray paint or did you brush it on.
Also do you clean the calipers first.

Another thing, do you take the whole caliper off and paint it or just paint the outside of it. Also how long does it roughly take.

Thanks alot

[Blue Bomber]

I don't know about other people, but I didn't bother taking off the calipers. I had the car on jack stands, so I could get into and behind the calipers enough to paint any visible part.

Besides, you'll need a torque wrench to put them back on properly. Their bolts (like everything else on the car) require a specific amount of torque to remain safely attached. If this was some interior part or body panel, I woudn't worry, but I won't mess with something as umportant as the brakes unless it's absolutely necessary.

First, I sanded all the nasty greenish stuff off the calipers, then I cleaned them off with brake degreaser. Next I brushed on some primer. Finally, I sprayed on 3 coats of paint. I just used regular Rustoleum paint and have had no problems with it in months. It smelled funny for the first day or two, but then it was fine.

[Mistrimeat]

I just finished mine today. It was'nt quite the "large endevour" I thought it would be.

Just clean and dry the calipers as best you can. You dont need to remove them unless your just anal. ;) I masked off all the areas around the caliper I did'nt want paint on (i.e. the rotors, brake pads, rubber grommets and grease fitting...) with masking tape. I originally started out brushing the paint on, but it was going on really thin (I used Plasti-Kote automotive hi-temp 500 degree engine enamel, fast dry spray paint). I just sprayed some in the lid and brushed a few layers on. I waited about 20 minutes between coats and I had a hairdryer with me to help it cure a little faster. After a few coats I said "fuk it" and started spraying it on. It looked a lot better because you could'nt see all the brush strokes and I could get it into all the hard to reach crevices. That, and it went on much thicker and glossier. I put on about 6-8 coats to ensure it would'nt chip or fade. I let it all dry about an hour and put on a light coat of Testors GlossCoat. Now this made it look really nice and shiny, almost like they were "dipped" in paint. It look factory, too. Let everything dry for an hour or 2 before you put on your wheels and drive it.

Good luck! :cool:

http://www.plasti-kote.com/sidemenu/engine_enamel.jpg

[Chris25NJ]

Damn, don't you guys care how it looks when it comes out? Spray paint?? You know it's gonna look like crap in about a year.

I got paint from www.por15.com They specialize in engine / hardware restoration paint. I got the hardnose red paint.

This is like a multi-stage process. First I jacked up one side of the car, took the wheels off and unbolted the calipers. And took out the brake pads. You don't have to completely take them off the car, just take out the 2 bolts behind the caliper and you can rest it on something. Don't worry about torque, just tighten them tight. I've never heard about anyone ever torqueing brake calipers, and i've spent a hell of a lot of time in a garage. **If you take the brake line off you're gonna have to bleed them, so it's just easier to keep them attached. Then, cleaned them up with a special cleaner, then the prep (easier than priming, just brush on and rinse off). Then paint. (The paint is a 2 component paint, needs to be mixed). Like 2 or 3 coates or so.

I also scrubbed the rims for like an hour each and got them looking new. Then I clear-coated them with clearcoat from the same place.

Now everytime I wash my car, I hit the rims and calipers with the pressure washer from the self-serve car wash and they look like the day I painted them. Nice and cherry red with that wet look. Same as the rims and hubs. (I wirewheeled all the rust and paint off my hubs)

Anyone else do the hubs, or are they all rusted to hell and look like total crap? Rims have a nice layer of black crud caked on?

I can't wait till the summer, I'm gonna take what I have left of the paint and detail the engine bay!

[Mistrimeat]

Umm, no thanks. That stuff's WAY overpriced. I'll stick to my $4.00 can of spray paint. The overall outcome is exactly the same. A friend of mine wasted an entire weekend on his BMW removing his calipers and dipping them in some special "caliper paint"...needless to say they dont look any better than my 3 hour job. I've painted the calipers on almost every vehicle I've ever owned (because - lets face it - they look nasty if you don't) and they've held up through this crappy Texas weather for as long as I owned them (2+ yrs). Never any problems with fading or discoloration. As long as you put a few coats of clear gloss on, you're good to go. If you take your time and do it right, the spray will work just as good with much less time and labor.

Everyone has their preference, though. if you want to spend $20+ on a can of caliper paint, great - its your money.

[oodolbyoo]

Boy do I feel stupid...I left my rims on when I painted the calipers...dag im retarded

[Chris25NJ]

How did they come out?

[oodolbyoo]

I was joking....ha

[CL MaNTis 21]

Originally posted by oodolbyoo
Boy do I feel stupid...I left my rims on when I painted the calipers...dag im retarded

LoL! I was like... how the hell did he...

then i scrolled down... "ahh i see"...

-MaNTis:cool: