Painting Calipers?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Painting Calipers?
I apologize if this topic has already been touched on before but I have done a search and still have a few ?'s. Im in the midst of doing my C5 brake upgrade on my '88 and have everything needed. Im using VHT caliper spray paint but was wondering how you guys are going about painting the Corvette letters a different color? Also the can says to cure the paint it should be baked-would this harm the rubber seals? And lastly are the anti-rattle clips only for use with the factory Delco brake pads? Ill be running Hawk hps pads if it matters.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
you have to pull the calipers apart to paint & bake. Thats not a big deal. After they cook then reassemble.
Letters....mine are plain bare aluminum and already provide a good contrast against the bright red caliper so they stayed that way. if you want to paint them, get some small artist brushes and have fun ! There are small bottles of paint thats appropiate at a craft/model shop.
Rattle springs...some pads come with some don;t Whatever pads you use, DO use rattle springs. if the pads have them take them off the caliper bracket.
Letters....mine are plain bare aluminum and already provide a good contrast against the bright red caliper so they stayed that way. if you want to paint them, get some small artist brushes and have fun ! There are small bottles of paint thats appropiate at a craft/model shop.
Rattle springs...some pads come with some don;t Whatever pads you use, DO use rattle springs. if the pads have them take them off the caliper bracket.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If the VHT paint really does require "baking", then you will have to pull the seals and pistons. But you can also use a heat lamp or even a heat gun to get the paint to cure. This will take longer, but it beats trying to do it in the oven and stinking the kitchen up.
As far as painting the letters, get some artist brushes and use some model car or airplane paint. Testor's has a wide variety of colors. Once you paint the C5 calipers, use some sandpaper and a block to remove the VHT paint from the letters and wipe the area with some paint thinner or mineral spirits to clean the surface.
When I did my C5 front brake conversion, everything I read about installations done by other CF peeps, said to use the factory anti-rattle clips on OEM pads whether or not they were stock C5 or Z06 pads. Some aftermarket pads either come with their own or the backing plates don't allow for the use of the OEM anti-rattle clips. In any event, if you do get some noise when not using the clips, it only takes a few minutes to install them.
As far as painting the letters, get some artist brushes and use some model car or airplane paint. Testor's has a wide variety of colors. Once you paint the C5 calipers, use some sandpaper and a block to remove the VHT paint from the letters and wipe the area with some paint thinner or mineral spirits to clean the surface.
When I did my C5 front brake conversion, everything I read about installations done by other CF peeps, said to use the factory anti-rattle clips on OEM pads whether or not they were stock C5 or Z06 pads. Some aftermarket pads either come with their own or the backing plates don't allow for the use of the OEM anti-rattle clips. In any event, if you do get some noise when not using the clips, it only takes a few minutes to install them.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: state of insanity
I USED VHT RED CALIPER PAINT AND HIGHLIGHTED WITH SILVER VHT CALIPER PAINT, DIDN'T BAKE. NSTALLED THE NEXT DAY .BEEN OVER A YEAR. I USED VHT TO HIGHLIGHT SO I DID'T HAVE TO WORY ABOUT HEAT ON MODEL PAINT. THE SILVER HIGHLITE LOOKS GOOD SINCE THE CAR IS SILVER. HAVE FUN GOOD LUCK
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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$4 rattle can of rustoleum sunrise red on my 85 about 5-6 years ago. (glass) bead blasted the calipers during the rebuild process, and 2 coats of the red. still looking good today. several things to remember - calipers DON'T get as hot as the specialty paint marketing people lead you to believe. if your calipers ever get hot enough to affect the paint, the finish on your calipers is going to be the least of your worries. those specialty paints are 90% hype, and 10% fact. while, 
that powder coating is the ultimate in refinishing, i personally think it's beyond the point of "diminishing return". plain old engine enamel is another good choice for calipers. remember, as in any other paint process, it's all in the prep.
that powder coating is the ultimate in refinishing, i personally think it's beyond the point of "diminishing return". plain old engine enamel is another good choice for calipers. remember, as in any other paint process, it's all in the prep.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Cleaned & rebuilt them first then taped the seals & pistons before paint.
No track days but they get heavy use on 2 lane mountain roads & still look great after several years.
Pic from when I first put them on, drilled & slotted rotors on now.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
The caliper does not get hot enough to need special paints.
I used VHT Red because of the color and gloss.
Been looking good for six years!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Paris Ontario
I'm about to do the same upgrade and have been debating powder coating vs. painting with VHT. I'll likely paint as finding a cost effective PC is proving difficult. I've been quoted $100/caliper which is too much IMO.
To prepare sand blasting I assume? I was going to pull the pistons and seals, tape off and screw something into the hose fitting, etc. Blast and paint.
To prepare sand blasting I assume? I was going to pull the pistons and seals, tape off and screw something into the hose fitting, etc. Blast and paint.
