YouCantCmyZ28

iTrader: (7)

i plan on sanding the calipers down before painting. i bought a can of duplicolor caliper paint in black but also want to try and clear them but didnt see any duplicolor clear so i got engine enamel paint in clear. does clear just leave a better look? will this work and also should i put the decals on then clear them or wait until everything is done to put the decals on. one more....did anyone use any primer, how will primer help and what is it. sorry for all the questions but i just want to do it right! thanks for the help

prince xizor

iTrader: (2)

What I found is that it is nice and easy to clean with the clear on them.

That is the way that I did it. It just keeps the decals from peeling.

I did not use any primer. I just used a dremmel with a wire brush to clean everything well and degreased it and then painted the calipers.

You may want to try the appearance and detailing section for more info.

Chris

FirebirdWS62K1

iTrader: (2)

I did just what you are planning to do about 2 months ago.

I recommend you pull the calipers off and paint them.

I did a drill with wire wheels, course then fine. Then a sander with 80 grit, 120 grit and hand sanded with some 220 and 400. They looked very smooth but the first 2 layers of primer I put on showed some very very very small imperfections in the finish job I did but with layers of primer and paint they went away completely.

I did use the same paints you are using and same clear.

4 layers primer (light coats)
3 layers color (first light, 2nd heavy and 3rd light)
5 coats of clear (really built up a clear coat)
Did the same for the caliper brackets too.

Calipers in red, brackets in black. Calipers jump out at you and you have to stare to see the brackets, just what I wanted.

Oh and I put the Trans Am decals up front and just about everyone I work with has commented on them. If you get the decals put them on before the clear coats it really will help them stay clean and makes cleaning a snap.

YouCantCmyZ28

iTrader: (7)

thanks for the help.....yea im pulling them off to do them. what brand of primer did you use and does the primer come out as a color or what?

FirebirdWS62K1

iTrader: (2)

I used the same brand as the clear paint. It's their grey engine primer. Mine was grey but I've seen people use the duplicolor white as a base/primer.

YouCantCmyZ28

iTrader: (7)

thanks for the help..any other tips? ill post pics up when im done

Camarokidd24

iTrader: (14)

I had some high temp clear engine enamal, and used it on my buddies calipers (my car is in the shop) and it was cloudy. as it dried it got worse so we stripped it down to start over. anyone else having this problem or did I just get a bad can? (and yes I'm sure it's clear!)

FirebirdWS62K1

iTrader: (2)

Camarokidd24
My clear was CLEAR. No cloudy problem. Maybe you just got a crap can.

YouCantCmyZ28
Pics would be great.

YouCantCmyZ28

iTrader: (7)

might be about another week or so but ill def post a bunch of pics with new wheels as well, and a write up!!