Painting brake calipers

[Perry]

All--

I have what I hope is a quick and easy query for the knowledgeable sorts re: painting brake calipers. I did not go with the Rado Gray wheels/red-painted calipers package--mainly 'cause I didn't care for the wheels, and I certainly wasn't going to spend several hundred dollars to get red calipers. That said, though, the red calipers look great, and I'd like to have that look. It is possible of course to paint them, so here's the question: Are there drawbacks, disadvantages, problems in getting calipers painted that one should know about? I can't think of any, but I'm reminded that the captain of the Titanic went to sleep thinking all was well.....

 

[pelotonracer2]

All--

I have what I hope is a quick and easy query for the knowledgeable sorts re: painting brake calipers. I did not go with the Rado Gray wheels/red-painted calipers package--mainly 'cause I didn't care for the wheels, and I certainly wasn't going to spend several hundred dollars to get red calipers. That said, though, the red calipers look great, and I'd like to have that look. It is possible of course to paint them, so here's the question: Are there drawbacks, disadvantages, problems in getting calipers painted that one should know about? I can't think of any, but I'm reminded that the captain of the Titanic went to sleep thinking all was well.....

I've used this stuff quite a few times on other cars and it always comes out looking factory: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...liper-kit/_/N-25yv?itemIdentifier=539677_0_0_

Just be sure to clean them well and try to do it on a non windy, less humid, warm day.

 

[rooSTer]

A friend of mine on the Focus site did this on his Focus SVT.


Materials needed:
Caliper painting kit
wire brush



This is a detailed how-to on painting brakes, specifically brake calipers. The product demonstrated is the commonly used Duplicolor Caliper Paint Ceramic Kit available at most auto parts stores.

The first step is to securely jack and support your car. Then remove the tires/wheels. It is best t work on either one side at a time, or both fronts then both backs. If you are comfortable and have the needed equipment, it is possible to do all four brakes at once.

Front

Back

The first step is to spray down the brakes with the supplied brake cleaner. Normally I would recommend using a paining prep product, however, the supplied brake cleaner is designed to perform this function.

After the initial spray of cleaner, use a wire brush, such as stainless steel or brass, as the firm metal bristles will help break away hard surface corrosion.

After brushing thoroughly, use the cleaner again to get any last bits of contamination off the brakes.

After you have shaken the supplied can of caliper paint for a few minutes, use a flat head screw driver to pry the can open, working slowly prying gently around the entire rim of the can. Any flat head screw driver that fits will work; you don?t have to use a $30 electrician?s 10-in-1 screwdriver -like I did.

Use the supplied stirring stick to mix the paint even further, do not discard.

Now it is time to begin painting. You can either use the supplied paint brush, which is very low quality, or you can opt for a higher quality artist type brush. Work slowly, starting near the top and working your way down. Try to cover as much as you can, being careful not to get paint on anything you don?t want painted. The best approach is to take your time and not rush the job.

Your first coat should be light. Subsequent coats can be heavier, but never heavy. This is about what your caliper should look like after the first coat.

While you wait for the first caliper to dry, start the next repeat the same cleaning and painting procedure for the rear calipers, provided you have four wheel disk brakes and not rear drum brakes. Painted rear drums look horrible, unless they are painted black.

After a few coats, this is what your calipers should look like. It is recommended to use at least 4 coats.

 

[Perry]

Thanks for the info, guys. Much appreciated. I figured it should be this easy, but figured it wouldn't cost me anything to ask, and it's nice to know others have had success. rooSTer--your post mentions a couple times that "this is what your calipers should look like"--all I see is white space. Did you paint yours white? ;-)

 

[rooSTer]

Pictures are showing up for me, I uploaded the last few photos here for you.

 

[STooge]

Good deal rooSTer. Thats an awesome how to you brought us there. If anyone does this on the FiST we should sticky it.

 

[Spixelz]

I plan to paint mine once the weather warms up here in the Northwest! Thanks for the info!

 

[Perry]

Thx, rooSTer. I can see the pics in your second post--again, very much appreciated. Dunno why I can't see 'em in original post. I think this might even be within my limited artistic abilities!

 

[rooSTer]

Thx, rooSTer. I can see the pics in your second post--again, very much appreciated. Dunno why I can't see 'em in original post. I think this might even be within my limited artistic abilities!

Glad it worked.

 

[shinamura]

I know most people will say just stick with stock silver color for calipers, but I have a performance blue FiST and my previous car was a silver 00 Audi A4 with yellow calipers/black wheels set up. What colors would look good on the calipers for a performance blue FiST besides just the red that can come with the package?

 

[shinamura]

Anyone also consider plastidipping their wheels a gunmetal/anthracite color to match that Rado package?

 

[rooSTer]

I know most people will say just stick with stock silver color for calipers, but I have a performance blue FiST and my previous car was a silver 00 Audi A4 with yellow calipers/black wheels set up. What colors would look good on the calipers for a performance blue FiST besides just the red that can come with the package?

To me Red is always the best color.

 

[rodmoe]

I kinda like Black if it is a Gloss black then it gets that matte look after a day or two from brake dust.. Not sure the Blue car could pull off a yellow caliper color.. But I do have the red calipers with the wheels that sit on the shelve in the garage most days lol

 

[thekilowattkid]

I alwys kinda thought no kinda clashed with red calipers, any thoughts?

 

[CanadianST]

Just finished doing this today in preparation for my new wheels and i was pretty happy once finished....not sure if it was that good of a job or if the paint fumes were getting to me in the garage, there is quite the odor off the caliber paint not to mention the cleaner! I'll snap a few pics tomorrow.

 

[CanadianST]

Shiny!

 

[rodmoe]

mmmm purrdy

 

[lessard.dcj]

Did this the other day. might get a better pic but its what I have right now

 

[OrangeFiST]

Here's my contribution:

That's the first coat. There was a can of spray caliper cleaner which I didn't use. Instead, I sprayed soapy wheel cleaner into it, scrubbed it off with a toothbrush and pressure washed it. Wiped off any extra brake dust that remained. The spray can of caliper cleaner has toluene in it and I think its for really old gross calipers that been taken off a car. If used it with the calipers attached, I might have melted the brake lines.

The brush that came with it is a total piece of junk. I used a small throw away brush (from Home Depot), a medium sized artist brush, and a small one to get into the hard to get to areas. Took 2 coats.

I have Rado wheels that will go with them, so the silver ones will be put up for sale once I get the other calipers finished and tires switched over.

Anyone want the silver wheels coming up soon?

 

[CanadianGuy]

Good looking results.