Painting calipers - removing wheels
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: New York NY
Painting calipers - removing wheels
i've seen a lot of the discussion about actually painting the calipers and it seems to cover all the bases. but i wanted to know about actually removing the wheels, etc. i've never had the wheels off the car (2000 coupe) - is it easier to do it one at a time or all four at once with the car on blocks? if the latter, what's the best way to do it? and what about the tire pressure sensor? where is it and how careful do you have to be?
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
It's easier to do, at least one end at a time. I don't guess doing both ends is any easier than one end at a time. I just like to go ahead and get all the jacking and wheel pulling and such out of the way at one time. The only thing easier about putting the whole car up at one time is that you do all the steps on all four wheels at once; in other words, you clean ALL the calipers, you tape ALL the calipers, you paint ALL the calipers, you cut/sand the letters off on ALL the calipers, you do your final touchup on ALL the calipers, etc. As long as you don't mind doing all those steps on one wheel at a time, there's really no downside to doing one end or even one wheel at a time.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,190
Likes: 3
From: Johns Creek GA
Originally Posted by jrose7004
I just put mine on jack stands and pulled all 4 at once, masked the car off really good and painted all 4! 
I didnt do any masking as mine was with a paintbrush.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
How to lift a C5:
http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php
How to paint the calipers:
http://www.2phast.com/Corvette/calipers.htm
Use jack stands and a jack. Jack up the front end, take the front wheels off, paint the calipers. Put the front wheels back on, lower the front end, jack the rear, take off the rear wheels, paint the rear calipers, and put the rear wheels back on. Or you could use four jack stands and jack the whole car up and take all of the wheels off. Either way it is your choice.
http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php
How to paint the calipers:
http://www.2phast.com/Corvette/calipers.htm
Use jack stands and a jack. Jack up the front end, take the front wheels off, paint the calipers. Put the front wheels back on, lower the front end, jack the rear, take off the rear wheels, paint the rear calipers, and put the rear wheels back on. Or you could use four jack stands and jack the whole car up and take all of the wheels off. Either way it is your choice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
I used a paintbrush too, just left the brake on the car.
I did them one at a time, no need to worry about the sensors, they are actually in the rims themselves.
It is actually easier then you think.
Just make sure you jack it from the center of the car and not the side rails and use jack stands for sure, you can't afford for the jack to fail while you're under there!!
Good luck.
I did them one at a time, no need to worry about the sensors, they are actually in the rims themselves.
It is actually easier then you think.
Just make sure you jack it from the center of the car and not the side rails and use jack stands for sure, you can't afford for the jack to fail while you're under there!!
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
I did mine with all 4 wheels up. Removing the wheels is not hard, but not too easy either, as you have a special lug "key" for one of the lugs on each wheel. Too much torque in either direction spells ugly!
I made sure I chocked one of the front wheels before attempting to lift. When I lifted, I put jack stands under the right locations under the car.
Special note for dummies: Loosen the lug nuts BEFORE lifting the car!
Car up, remove wheels, clean calipers(I did mine with warm water and a wire brush), apply primer to calipers(I bought spray primer, sprayed into a container, then brushed on with sponge brushes) apply 1st coat(by the time I got around to the fourth caliper, the first was ready for the second)
Take your time and do it right. Mine took all day on a clear, nice Sunday, from 11am to 8:30 pm. Tired and beat up, but proud of the outcome! Good luck!
I made sure I chocked one of the front wheels before attempting to lift. When I lifted, I put jack stands under the right locations under the car.
Special note for dummies: Loosen the lug nuts BEFORE lifting the car!
Car up, remove wheels, clean calipers(I did mine with warm water and a wire brush), apply primer to calipers(I bought spray primer, sprayed into a container, then brushed on with sponge brushes) apply 1st coat(by the time I got around to the fourth caliper, the first was ready for the second)
Take your time and do it right. Mine took all day on a clear, nice Sunday, from 11am to 8:30 pm. Tired and beat up, but proud of the outcome! Good luck!
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,656
Likes: 24,661
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
It kind of depends on the type of paint you will be using. If it is regular spray paint, then no need to take all the wheels off at once. If it is epoxy based, then I would advise taking them all off since the paint will set up in the can fast. I would certainly take the wheels off the car - makes it so much easier to do a thorough paint job on the caliper and avoid a mess on the wheels.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by FallenWhun
theres a lug key? the only key the dealer gave me was the keys to the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,002
Likes: 0
From: Surrey BC
Originally Posted by Icemanskis
How to lift a C5:
http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php
How to paint the calipers:
http://www.2phast.com/Corvette/calipers.htm
Use jack stands and a jack. Jack up the front end, take the front wheels off, paint the calipers. Put the front wheels back on, lower the front end, jack the rear, take off the rear wheels, paint the rear calipers, and put the rear wheels back on. Or you could use four jack stands and jack the whole car up and take all of the wheels off. Either way it is your choice.
http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php
How to paint the calipers:
http://www.2phast.com/Corvette/calipers.htm
Use jack stands and a jack. Jack up the front end, take the front wheels off, paint the calipers. Put the front wheels back on, lower the front end, jack the rear, take off the rear wheels, paint the rear calipers, and put the rear wheels back on. Or you could use four jack stands and jack the whole car up and take all of the wheels off. Either way it is your choice.
....quick question for all you guys/gals...why would you not take the the calipers off and then paint them...isn't it a lot of work wrapping everything up?? woudln't it just be easier to just take them off and paint them...with that being said...is there any way you can damage your calipers with the paint...getting paint where there isn't supposed to be paint :o
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Hanover Pennsylvania
I don't think anyone responded to your question about the sensors, don't worry, they're tucked safely inside your tires. And be sure to use plenty of brake cleaner to remove the brake dust, oil, grease, and grime.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
Not all wheels have a locking lug. Mine don't. Sounds like I'm not the only one.
I thought it was easier to paint them with the calipers off. it's not hard to take the cars off, just make sure you know how to bleed your brakes when you're done.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Originally Posted by BickyDhadwal
great write up ....
quick question for all you guys/gals...why would you not take the the calipers off and then paint them...isn't it a lot of work wrapping everything up?? woudln't it just be easier to just take them off and paint them...with that being said...is there any way you can damage your calipers with the paint...getting paint where there isn't supposed to be paint :o
....quick question for all you guys/gals...why would you not take the the calipers off and then paint them...isn't it a lot of work wrapping everything up?? woudln't it just be easier to just take them off and paint them...with that being said...is there any way you can damage your calipers with the paint...getting paint where there isn't supposed to be paint :o
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 71,447
Likes: 6
From: Miami bound
CI 4-5-6-7 Veteran
I recommend leaving the calipers in place, and even if you have "spray" paint, spray the paint into a dixie cup and brush it on. No taping. No overspray. No brake bleading. No muss. No fuss. Couple of hours tops. Taking the wheels on and off takes longer than the actual painting.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: Payne Ohio
Just did mine and I used jack stands front then back. Don't use blocks!! Also you need to retorque lugnuts when finihed to 100 ft lbs.. Some people don't worry about this but its good insurance to ensure brake rotors don't warp from uneven torque. good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,002
Likes: 0
From: Surrey BC
thanks JACK
if you brush it on...can you see the strokes of the brush in the caliper after your finished painting??? or is the finished product just as good as the spray???
Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
I recommend leaving the calipers in place, and even if you have "spray" paint, spray the paint into a dixie cup and brush it on. No taping. No overspray. No brake bleading. No muss. No fuss. Couple of hours tops. Taking the wheels on and off takes longer than the actual painting.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,471
Likes: 48
From: ================ From Toronto ================ 9/11/01 FDNY 343 R.I.P.
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'13-'14
Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
I recommend leaving the calipers in place, and even if you have "spray" paint, spray the paint into a dixie cup and brush it on. No taping. No overspray. No brake bleading. No muss. No fuss. Couple of hours tops. Taking the wheels on and off takes longer than the actual painting.
I did this routine just last week.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: Spring Branch Texas
Originally Posted by BickyDhadwal
thanks JACK
if you brush it on...can you see the strokes of the brush in the caliper after your finished painting??? or is the finished product just as good as the spray???
if you brush it on...can you see the strokes of the brush in the caliper after your finished painting??? or is the finished product just as good as the spray???