Caliper Painting
#3
i had great results with a kit from midamerica...i was fortunate to have a friend with a lift...took off all 4 wheels...made the job a lot easier (although its not a hard job w/o a lift)...the trick to the job is getting the calipers clean before painting...kit comes with a spray cleaner...i used a wire brush, also...takes two coats-don't let the first coat freak you out-looks like you've ruined your car!...let the first coat dry good before applying the second...
#4
Burning Brakes
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#5
Burning Brakes
Ihave talked to many who say they must be removed for a truly perfect professional looking job. I agree. Perks are
1. You get to buy a torque wrench.
2. More quality time w/car.
3. Scares your wife when your cars in pieces.
4. Makes you feel better than those that didn't.
5. Brake bleeding bonanza!
Seriously, you know removal is the way to go (unless you have an F body like in that link) so just do it. Flame suit engaged.
Good luck.
1. You get to buy a torque wrench.
2. More quality time w/car.
3. Scares your wife when your cars in pieces.
4. Makes you feel better than those that didn't.
5. Brake bleeding bonanza!
Seriously, you know removal is the way to go (unless you have an F body like in that link) so just do it. Flame suit engaged.
Good luck.
#6
Race Director
I took mine off, and it was a huge waste of time and knuckle skin.
I wound up putting them back on to paint them - it was the only way I could think of securing the caliper to paint it without getting finger prints in the fresh paint.
Like Thunder7 said - clean them up real good with a wire brush first, and a good spray down with brake cleaner (don't get it on your paint!!! ), blow dry with compressed air, and you're ready to paint Van Gogh!
I wound up putting them back on to paint them - it was the only way I could think of securing the caliper to paint it without getting finger prints in the fresh paint.
Like Thunder7 said - clean them up real good with a wire brush first, and a good spray down with brake cleaner (don't get it on your paint!!! ), blow dry with compressed air, and you're ready to paint Van Gogh!
#7
Safety Car
Left mine on to paint them, and used the kit from Mid-America. I was very pleased with the result. Be sure to apply two coats.
#9
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by AndrewNguyen
Do you all prefer getting to kit that you paint by hand or a can of caliper spray paint?
While I'm here .. does anyone know how hot the cals get under normal driving anyway? Is 900+ degree paint overkill ... or am I safe with 500 degree paint? TIA.
Last edited by MyVetteDream; 12-29-2004 at 01:09 PM.
#12
Stock Man???
ttt
ttt
How did you get the white letters? I can't figureout how you could spray the letters unless you spent a lot of time masking off the calipers around each letter?
Originally Posted by Stock Man
I used Rustoleum red paint and they turned out great. Also I didn't take them off.
How did you get the white letters? I can't figureout how you could spray the letters unless you spent a lot of time masking off the calipers around each letter?
#13
Race Director
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
While I'm here .. does anyone know how hot the cals get under normal driving anyway? Is 900+ degree paint overkill ... or am I safe with 500 degree paint? TIA.
VetteNovice - The letters (on mine anyway) aren't white. After the paint gets dry - I took a brand new blade from a utility knife and basically cut the paint off the letters - leaving a shiny brushed metallic finish.
Last edited by blacksedan87; 12-29-2004 at 01:52 PM.
#15
Race Director
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2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I painted the calipers and the letters with a brush. The letters took a little while but was quite easy being on a raised surface.
#16
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Thanks Randy. As soon as the rain slows, I'm off to get the kit. May not do it today (too humid), but getting it is half the work.
EDIT*** I'm not going anywhere for a while ... I think God is dropping buckets on my area ... literally. The drops are huge! My car's sure to melt if I go out right now.
EDIT*** I'm not going anywhere for a while ... I think God is dropping buckets on my area ... literally. The drops are huge! My car's sure to melt if I go out right now.
Last edited by MyVetteDream; 12-29-2004 at 02:34 PM.
#17
Melting Slicks
Spray or paint over the raised Corvette logo (much easier anyway), Once dry, take a metal file and lightly file the paint off off the Corvette letters. Come out perfect every time.
#18
Safety Car
I painted one of mine with the G2 kit, but you could tell that it was hand painted, and the pin holes, line fittings, etc., were in the way, so I stripped it off with carb cleaner. I pulled all the calipers and installed the powercoated Z06 ones instead. Much neater, glass smooth finish. A good artist could probably do a quality job with the paint, but I couldn't. I sold the stock calipers on Ebay, so the end cost was only around $140.
Last edited by Flareside; 12-29-2004 at 03:04 PM.
#19
Racer
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Thanks for all the info. I have a Mag Red Coupe. Seen a thread here a few days ok about caliper colors on Mag Red. Will jack up the car pull the wheels and get started.
We had -25 below last week but the shop is heated. Thanks again.
We had -25 below last week but the shop is heated. Thanks again.
#20
Safety Car
Quick, cheap review:
Raise car and take off wheels
Clean, clean, clean!
Rustoleum (small can will do - Sunrise Red)
brush it on (bristles or foam brush)
do a couple of coats
Utility blade (single edged razor) to take paint off of lettering
file over letters to brighten them up
Put wheels back on
Put car back down (very important! )
Grin & ride
Raise car and take off wheels
Clean, clean, clean!
Rustoleum (small can will do - Sunrise Red)
brush it on (bristles or foam brush)
do a couple of coats
Utility blade (single edged razor) to take paint off of lettering
file over letters to brighten them up
Put wheels back on
Put car back down (very important! )
Grin & ride