Caliper Paint
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 85
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From: California
Caliper Paint
I think Calipers look good painted red. I also like them as original non painted. I'm about to put rebuilt calipers on soon and I bought both clear and red high temp paint and I'll choose one or the other.. Stoopid question: if I don't at least spray the clear on, then the calipers go rusty right? Whats the best way to prep (clean) store-bought calipers? I was gonna spray them with brake cleaner. Will that be enough? Am I being dumb or is it reasonable to paint a part in clear so that it doesn't get rusty. Do people do that?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
If you have stock wheels, like I do, it doesn't make a lot of sense to paint red because you can't see them. If you have custom wheels, I think red calps look great.
I did not paint mine or put anything on them. I just hooked them up and installed. I also went with new brake hoses while I had the calps off.
I did not paint mine or put anything on them. I just hooked them up and installed. I also went with new brake hoses while I had the calps off.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Not stupid at all. Brake cleaner or acetone is effective at removing any shipping oil. Sometimes even a light rub down with a soaked rag.
You can clear the bare metal. The only possible problem is clears have a tendency to "yellow" with heat. But, it would keep it from rusting. You could also paint them a "cast" color, or silver.
Powder coating is always the ultimate way to go. Most durable and unlimited color choices, including all your casts, bare metals, etc.
I recently set up a powder coat shop at my house for my resto-mod and will be doing my calipers soon. Might even start doing some powder coating as a side gig.
You can clear the bare metal. The only possible problem is clears have a tendency to "yellow" with heat. But, it would keep it from rusting. You could also paint them a "cast" color, or silver.
Powder coating is always the ultimate way to go. Most durable and unlimited color choices, including all your casts, bare metals, etc.
I recently set up a powder coat shop at my house for my resto-mod and will be doing my calipers soon. Might even start doing some powder coating as a side gig.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have bare (un-assembled) calipers, the BEST way to coat them is to clean the outer surfaces well, then shoot them with a coat or two of VHT cast-iron colored paint. When dry, bake them in a toaster oven according to instructions on the can. This will turn them into a ceramic-like paint that is impervious to environmental conditions and will withstand heat of heavy braking use. They will continue to look the same for many years and not rust.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
I used Duplicolor Cast Grey on mine. They are still looking great after 4 years of driving
before i Installed my new Rotors I masked them off and sprayed the non contact areas with silver Caliper paint to prevent rusting. They still look great after 4 years
before i Installed my new Rotors I masked them off and sprayed the non contact areas with silver Caliper paint to prevent rusting. They still look great after 4 years
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,704
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
As an aside, is that the stock routing for the hard brake line at the caliper? I've got a stock style rear sway bar link and the brake line doesn't seem to fit right on either side.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
As an aside, is that the stock routing for the hard brake line at the caliper? I've got a stock style rear sway bar link and the brake line doesn't seem to fit right on either side.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
G2 caliper paint is by far the best stuff to use - far better than any spray can paint. It is a real 2-part coating that you brush on. It is self-leveling, so no brush marks remain after. It is the closest thing in appearance to powder coat that I have used.
http://www.g2usa.com/product/G2.html
Here is a tip: whatever product you decide to use, some time spent smoothing the surface of the caliper will result in a far better looking job. The cast iron calipers are fairly rough, and that roughness is always visable though the paint. Here is a pic of one of my front calipers; a lot of people think they are an aftermarket aluminum caliper because of the way they look!
http://www.g2usa.com/product/G2.html
Here is a tip: whatever product you decide to use, some time spent smoothing the surface of the caliper will result in a far better looking job. The cast iron calipers are fairly rough, and that roughness is always visable though the paint. Here is a pic of one of my front calipers; a lot of people think they are an aftermarket aluminum caliper because of the way they look!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Caliper paint
I used VHT satin black which matches the original black very closely.
Mine were assembled so I did not bake them. However, I left them in the hot sun a could days and the paint is rock hard.
I am very satisfied and highly recommend the VHT.
Bill
Mine were assembled so I did not bake them. However, I left them in the hot sun a could days and the paint is rock hard.
I am very satisfied and highly recommend the VHT.
Bill
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: California
Baked calipers
Thanks for the responses. Stoopid question: If baking hardens the paint And Hot sun helps the paint harden (Maybe), then shouldn't I just paint them, put them on and go for a ride. Wouldn't the heat bake the paint too?
I'm diggin the cast grey paint....
I'm diggin the cast grey paint....
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Unless you are going to run a complete road race (a couple of hours at racing speed), your brake calipers will never get hot enough to bake VHT paint (or any other temp-cured, ceramic paint).
Just bake the darned things and be done with it. You are approaching the mode of "analysis paralysis".
Just bake the darned things and be done with it. You are approaching the mode of "analysis paralysis".