taws6

iTrader: (2)

Hello,

I am going to paint my calipers black soon, and wonder how long they will look good for?
I know powdercoating would be better, but cant be assed to mess about taking them off.
I will prep them well, and use Folitec paint kit with a brush.
Just want to know how often I will need to paint them to keep em looking good.

Thanks for the advise,

Paul.

Blakbird24

iTrader: (24)

You don't have to powdercoat them. If you paint them right the first time, they'll last a very long time. I used DupliColor high heat ceramic paints...grey primer, bright red color, and 5 coats of clear. I also polished the face of the caliper before painting. This gives it a smooth surface which not only looks amazing, but is also very easy to clean. Mine were done about three years ago and still look new once I wipe the brake dust off. I'm getting new wheels next week so I should be able to get some pics up then.

Cobra2WS6

iTrader: (22)

Agreed... If you prep them well they will last a lonnnng time. I have painted the calipers on every car I have owned, and the paint outlast me owning the vechicle

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

Mine are 3 years old....--with a couple touch -ups cause of rocks I guess....used either Duplicolor OR --VHT....Cannot remember now--keep getting mixed up...

1998Z28LOADED

Yep, just do'em right the first time

Hugger Z

iTrader: (4)

Prep is everything. I thoroughly cleaned the calipers and roughed up the surface with a brillo pad. Then cleaned them again. Painted with Dupli-Color high temp paint. They have been on 6 years now and the only chips were from when I was rotating wheels and didn't pay enough attention. They wipe pretty clean when I wash the car.

If you drive in the winter with them they will get a little more beat up. I painted the calipers on my ex-wife's car and the winter salt ate away at them a bit. Maybe a clearcoat would have helped there too.

taws6

iTrader: (2)

Thank you all for your replys.

That's a lot longer than I expected, I figured a year or two.
Pick up the Foliotec paint today, and am looking forward to doing this mod.

Oh yea, I of course already got some new decals, ready to go on.

Thanks again,

Paul.

waldershrek

iTrader: (1)

How long do the decals stay on? With all the heat and brake dust I don't fore see them staying on for too long.

Ling_650vette

iTrader: (1)

Heat and dust shouldnt be a problem. The caliper shouldnt get THAT hot to unseat the decals from your typical street driving, and if they come off due to brake dust - the decals sucked.

You could always put the decals on before you cleared. That way they've got some sort of "protection".

Cobra2WS6

iTrader: (22)

Even though Ive only had my camaro decals on for a few months they are holding fine.

taws6

iTrader: (2)

Foliatec doesn't come with clearcoat, it mix's a lacquer and a hardener.

Could someone recommend a clearcoat, as I herd some clearcoat do not resist heat well.

So it is ok to clear over decals?

Thanks for the advise,

Paul.

zfastss

iTrader: (6)

I used the G2 brush-on paint kit (sounds the same as your Foliatec kit). Been on for 3+ years now with no problems, still looks new after a wash. I did 2 coats of the colored paint, then after it was dry I applied my decals and added 5 coats of "duplicolor high heat clear coat with ceramic" (or something like that) over the decals.
so, yes. It is ok to clear coat over your decals.

taws6

iTrader: (2)

Thank you all so much,

Paul.

planemech2

6yrs and counting. Plain old rattle can engine paint.

Jeremiah

iTrader: (5)

Any rattle can finish reguardless of the prep or temp rating will not hold its shine or last a fraction of the time that a quality base/clear from PPG, Du pont ect. will.

02gtp4now

iTrader: (7)

true but they are also calipers no need to use actual autobody paint unless you just have the extra money laying around , also the laquer paint should not need a clear coat unless you just feel like doing it

black02ssNY

iTrader: (1)

definalty get them powdercoated they will last long and llook awsome thats wat i did with mine .... heres a pic of vette calipers done by the same guy that did mine http://www.fastlsx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15133 its the 4th post down i think

DJ_951

ceramic engine paint, wire wheel and brake clean. Just go slow painting and avoid runs. You really can't see the caliper that well through the rim anyway.

davered00ss

iTrader: (4)

I used duplicolor and they have looked good for almost 2 years now. Still look good. The black would probably hold up better than the red I used on the calipers. I did the brackets in black.

SpaZMaN

iTrader: (5)

like it was said, prep it really good. 3 or 4 good coats of paint, out the decals on, then clearcoat!!