Like the title says, I bought this kit from my local autoparts store. I have new brembo rotors and hawk pads coming in the mail sometime this week, and figured why not paint the calipers while I was at it. I've heard that the Duplicolor kit turns out pretty nice looking results. I want my calipers to look smooth and shiny when they're done. Should I pick up some clearcoat to go over the Duplicolor kit?

 

https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/535823-i-ve-been-little-busy.html

The calipers were done with the Duplicolor kit, the brackets with VHT spray paint. I sanded both with 120 (to remove casting flash), then 220, 400 (wet), and 600 (wet). They turned out great. Clearcoating them might not be a bad idea, since the paint seems kind of brittle. I haven't had a chance to drive with them painted yet, but even just moving them around to swap out the pads and rotors resulted in a couple small chips.


-Mike

 

hmm i dunno i also did the duplicolor kit and i did many coats i did both the calipers and brackets until the can was almost empty i would say maybe 5 coats each and i never cleared mine and they are very shiney. i have also removed the calipers and brakets to install new rotors and have had no chipping or anything, maybe u didnt do enough coats. mine have been done for a few months now and look brand new, like i did them yesterday! so clearing is up to u

 

I used VHT caliper paint on my brackets and they turned out great. They have been on and off the car several times over the past year and they are still holding up really well. Not a chip yet

 

No need to clearcoat them, the Duplicolor should work out great for you..however if you are worried about chips/scratches, try using POR15 on them...that stuff is indistructable!!

 

Did you guys sand yours at all before painting them? I'm wondering if I sanded them too smooth and am not getting good mechanical adhesion. The chips are really small, but I know they're there.


-Mike

 

I sanded my brackets some but not completely smooth. I did sand the calipers smooth because I was planning on polishing them but I painted them instead. Several coats of paint and some clear and they haven't chipped

 

No, don't clear them. You can't layer that paint after it dry's. It will start to loosen and come off. its made with a brake dust blocker that is supposed to keep them clean and resist damage. Good luck, I prefer the G2 paint kit they sell at Tire Rack