Painting calipers advice
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On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
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Painting calipers advice Im going to be painting my calipers black, ive read a ton of posts and know that powder coating is best, i dont have the money for that right now, im looking to do exhaust, h/c/i etc, so powder coating is low on my list.
It seems alot of people used the duplicolor kit, any thoughts on that, im looking long term, what does it look like, has it chipped etc.
Also, as far as prep, im reading obviously mask everything, what about cleaning and prepping the surface? Ive read steam cleaning, brake cleaner, and some other things. Anyone have any good advice on prepping the surface?
Ive never done this before, so any experience/advice would be appreciated
Thanks guys
It seems alot of people used the duplicolor kit, any thoughts on that, im looking long term, what does it look like, has it chipped etc.
Also, as far as prep, im reading obviously mask everything, what about cleaning and prepping the surface? Ive read steam cleaning, brake cleaner, and some other things. Anyone have any good advice on prepping the surface?
Ive never done this before, so any experience/advice would be appreciated
Thanks guys
i did it this past summer and put up a bunch of pics. very very easy to do. they give you enough paint to do like 30 sets of calipers lol. i did 3-4 coats of gloss black and they came out great. just make sure you clean them good, i wire brushed them first and then cleaned them with what the kit provided or something else i had in the garage i cant remember. you could actually make money by doing some of your friends with all the extra paint you get lol
I did mine in ready about 3 years ago. I used the spray on kind not brush but i worked and loiked great for about 2 years then i got one or 2 chips in it. It is prob my fault i didnt clean as well as i should have.
Clean iy good with a wire brush, tape everything off anf take your time. It will come out great!
Clean iy good with a wire brush, tape everything off anf take your time. It will come out great!
I will give you a big tip that works wonders. First make sure and clean them really well and wire brush them to remove any cooked on dust. Then when they are totally dry from cleaning them. Apply about 5 coats of primer to them...light coats at first. After its dry to the touch, about 5 coats of light spray of the paint color...lighter to heavier coats letting dry to touch in each coat. After you do this, it will REALLY smooth out the casting lines and you should get no "fisheyes" from the paint not sticking to the casting like you see so often. It really smooths out the looks and makes them SO much nicer than just slapping some paint on them. Also paint the hats of the rotors and the vanes on the edges, this keeps the rust from running down your wheels when you wash them. Also looks nicer. This pic was from before I razor bladed the edge to the hats to make it look right. Did my last T/A like this and they lasted for 10 years NO issues at all.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
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I will give you a big tip that works wonders. First make sure and clean them really well and wire brush them to remove any cooked on dust. Then when they are totally dry from cleaning them. Apply about 5 coats of primer to them...light coats at first. After its dry to the touch, about 5 coats of light spray of the paint color...lighter to heavier coats letting dry to touch in each coat. After you do this, it will REALLY smooth out the casting lines and you should get no "fisheyes" from the paint not sticking to the casting like you see so often. It really smooths out the looks and makes them SO much nicer than just slapping some paint on them. Also paint the hats of the rotors and the vanes on the edges, this keeps the rust from running down your wheels when you wash them. Also looks nicer. This pic was from before I razor bladed the edge to the hats to make it look right. Did my last T/A like this and they lasted for 10 years NO issues at all.
Thanks
Thanks and yes, that is all I used. Just some simple primer from OReillys and the Caliper paint in red and black. Spray cans, not the brush on. Never seen some brushed on ones that look even half way decent.
I did them on the car, you can also use a 500 grit or so sandpaper on them if you want to knock down some of the texture too. Just use walmart plastic sacks to cover up everything else while you are working on that one part. But make sure you let it dry fully before trying to re-assemble.
I did them on the car, you can also use a 500 grit or so sandpaper on them if you want to knock down some of the texture too. Just use walmart plastic sacks to cover up everything else while you are working on that one part. But make sure you let it dry fully before trying to re-assemble.
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Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
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Thanks for the input, what did you use to clean the calipers? I'd be pumped if mine came out looking like that, super finished. The primer you used from O'Reillys, just some high heat primer?
Don't mean to badger you, just want to be able to replicate the results.
Don't mean to badger you, just want to be able to replicate the results.
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Thanks and yes, that is all I used. Just some simple primer from OReillys and the Caliper paint in red and black. Spray cans, not the brush on. Never seen some brushed on ones that look even half way decent.
I did them on the car, you can also use a 500 grit or so sandpaper on them if you want to knock down some of the texture too. Just use walmart plastic sacks to cover up everything else while you are working on that one part. But make sure you let it dry fully before trying to re-assemble.
I did them on the car, you can also use a 500 grit or so sandpaper on them if you want to knock down some of the texture too. Just use walmart plastic sacks to cover up everything else while you are working on that one part. But make sure you let it dry fully before trying to re-assemble.
Yours do look great. I'm going to attempt it either this weekend or next. I guess there is no need to remove them if it can be done right by leaving them on. I think after I clean the **** out of them, I'll use some sandpaper to help remove even more of the contaminated material and give it that real smooth look.
I just used the generic black primer, and rattle can brake caliper paint from OReilly also.
I have never cleared mine and they hold up amazingly well. Like I said, 10 years on the others and never had to touch them. drove it from 36k to 114k and they still looked great!
Another tip I forgot to mention, Reynolds wrap is your friend on covering up things you dont want painted and making edges. I just disassembled mine on the car and propped them up or hung them to paint. No bleeding required.
Can use brake cleaner or Carb cleaner, Followed up with a non oily cleaner like Spray way glass cleaner. That is what I always use last before painting. Make sure everything is dry. Compressed air is your friend.
Yes....I am super **** retentive lolz
I have never cleared mine and they hold up amazingly well. Like I said, 10 years on the others and never had to touch them. drove it from 36k to 114k and they still looked great!
Another tip I forgot to mention, Reynolds wrap is your friend on covering up things you dont want painted and making edges. I just disassembled mine on the car and propped them up or hung them to paint. No bleeding required.
Can use brake cleaner or Carb cleaner, Followed up with a non oily cleaner like Spray way glass cleaner. That is what I always use last before painting. Make sure everything is dry. Compressed air is your friend.
Yes....I am super **** retentive lolz
wow nice work. I really need to redo mine soon. I'll be taking these tips and see if mine turn out better than when I first did it years ago. I used brush on but agree that spray always looks cleaner.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2012
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Ok, almost ready to paint....
Last few questions for some clarity.
I decided to go w/ the G2 2 part paint. Any experience w/ it?
Calipers are staying on the car, prepping/cleaning seems to be the most important thing. What are you guys using specifically to clean? I read brake cleaner, chrome wheel cleaner, what brands? Wire brush or sponge? What are you using for clear coat? I plan on putting on TA caliper decals (I read clear coat helps them stay on), did you just use duplicolor clear coat? What type of primer also? I'm cool w/ taking my time w/ it. Just want to do it right (and powder coating is out of my budget at the moment)
Thanks
Last few questions for some clarity.
I decided to go w/ the G2 2 part paint. Any experience w/ it?
Calipers are staying on the car, prepping/cleaning seems to be the most important thing. What are you guys using specifically to clean? I read brake cleaner, chrome wheel cleaner, what brands? Wire brush or sponge? What are you using for clear coat? I plan on putting on TA caliper decals (I read clear coat helps them stay on), did you just use duplicolor clear coat? What type of primer also? I'm cool w/ taking my time w/ it. Just want to do it right (and powder coating is out of my budget at the moment)
Thanks
Alright gonna give this a try tomorrow. Gonna put my car on a lift, pull the wheels off, disassemble the brakes, do the bracket place and caliper red. Gonna leave that caliper on the car. May be harder to paint but better then bleeding all the brakes haha. Will post up some pics probably tuesday.
Alright gonna give this a try tomorrow. Gonna put my car on a lift, pull the wheels off, disassemble the brakes, do the bracket place and caliper red. Gonna leave that caliper on the car. May be harder to paint but better then bleeding all the brakes haha. Will post up some pics probably tuesday.
Alright well I did mine this weekend. Honestly, I would take the calipers off. I had the calipers sittin on the hub, and once it some how slipped off and got chipped up pretty bad. But it wasn't to bad. It can be done on the car, but the easy way is off the car. Here are some pics.
