Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Hey guys,
What kind of paint do you guys use to paint your calipers? I'm using plasti-kote engine enamel and it "separates" terribly. Thats the only way to describe what it is doing. I spray it on and after a couple of seconds the paint "separates" and doesn't coat the surface like it should. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

You should run a search on 'Painted Calipers'. There is a lot of good info on past threads.

First and foremost, did you clean the calipers really well? I used a scrub brush and simple green followed by a dremel. I used a primer coat, 4 coats of paint, then 2 coats of clear. High temp paint isn't a must but you might as well do it since the paint isn't any more expensive.

Check out JMX's page:

https://ls1tech.com/howto/howto/inst...tcalipers.html

Let me know if you need further details. Here are a few of my install pics. Sorry for the poor quality.

http://216.112.25.134/poltergeist/Pics/camaro_ls1/2.jpg

http://216.112.25.134/poltergeist/Pics/camaro_ls1/6.jpg

BTW: The pics don't do the calipers any justice. They turned out awesome.

<small>[ November 18, 2002, 08:46 AM: Message edited by: camaro_ls1 ]</small>

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Hey thanks for the info. I thought it would be a paint and go type thing (cleaning included of course)! A bit more work than I had planned on...thanks again for the information!

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Oh, it's definitely not a "paint and go" type thing. It took me 6 hours on a Saturday just to do the front. Most of that was paint dry time though. You might want to check these out:

http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/brakcaldec.html

They are a must. Good luck!

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Cleaning is probably the single most important step. Paint won't adhere to an oily, or dirty surface! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

It's definitely not a paint and go thing. I cleaned my calipers with brake dust cleaner and a wire brush. I used the Plasti-Kote high temp engine enamel paint. I think that's what you used, correct? I put a few coats on the calipers too. Mine took me all day to do.

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Not trying to over-do it here, but here's some more info:

https://ls1tech.com/ubb/ultimatebb.p...=002780#000000

https://ls1tech.com/ubb/ultimatebb.p...=000606#000000

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Man Im glad I started with the rears first! I'll be sure to clean those fronts REAL well! I've got caliper decals to go on and a set of E-Speeds, so the final touch is getting it painted! By the way... my right rear rotor did NOT want to come off! Unreal, had to get a rubber mallot and knock that joker off from the rear. Left rotor came off easy as pie!

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

That's weird. My left rear wouldn't come off to save my life. The first time I pulled it off I yanked it as hard as I could and I flew back onto my ass. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> The next time I did it I pried it off with a screw driver. I placed the screw driver between the upper caliper guide bolt and the rear part of the rotor (protected with a piece of wood). It came right off.

Those eradispeeds along with painted calipers and the decals are going to look badass!

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Some brake cleaner and one of those sanding sponge blocks work real well to just rough up the surface a bit. That or a 3-4" wire brush on a drill. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Simple Green isn't a strong enough degreaser believe it or not. Use brake cleaner.

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Wire brush, like Weasel said! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

If you ever look in a ricer mag. look at the adds and you will find caliper paint. It's buy fultac (I think that is how you spell it). It is a lacker paint and you brush it on. You can't screw it up(no runs or fish eyes). Later..

Re: Brake calipers won't paint...help!!!
 

Stuff like armour all is silicon based and caused nothing but problems when you go to paint. Even if you have never armour all'ed your tires the dealership "slimes" all new cars with a cheap silicone crap and it has majour hangtime. The best way to get rid of this is with a true wax and grease remover like what your local bodyshop uses. Something like proform , tumbler, ppg etc. Silicone is stubborn to so you may have to clean them a few times , each time use new rags and dipose. I hate silicone <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Also if you are still having adhesion problems with the paint ( looks like its puddling and moving around spots, fisheyes ) , dust the paint on and have a blowdryer handy while your spraying. Once you get a couple light layers it will bridge the silicone.