Is 316.95 for brand new GM calipers the right price?
To me, it sounds right, but so many times the forum has many other ideas on where and how to purchase certain items. I'm gettin ready to change my tires and wheels and I thought it would be an excellent time to change the calipers as well. Also, the ceramic brake pads would probably make sense at this time. Any suggestions / comments?

 

You can paint them yourself for about 1/10th that cost. The only difference between the red Z06 calipers and the standard C5 calipers is the red color.

If you buy Rustoleum, it will cost you about $5 in paint - and you'll have enough left over to buy a good quality paint brush and a couple of cans of brake cleaner - and you'll still have change left over.....

If you NEED new brake pads - I say replace them - if you don't - why do it?

 

I'd just paint my existing calipers instead of swapping out and spending money for a new set.

 

I went with silver with red letters.

 

Any particular red color (specific paint code) that most are using and what color should the Corvette lettering be painted...thanks?

 

anyone have a pic with red calipers with STOCK wheels ... preferably in a '98 model.

 

You mean like this?

 

just painted mine (the paint is stil wet) black gloss and black gloss on the rotor center... corvette letters shiny alum. looks fine to me....$4.79.

 

Rustoleum Sunrise Red ... Brush on
$3.47 at Walmart

 

OOOOoohhhh VERY NICE!!! but I dont have those cromed out wheels... hah anyone have the same thing with the brushed looking wheels? I imagine it looks good still...

NICE THO!!! damn

 

No need to spend $316 on new calipers when they are exactly the same as you have only powdercoated red. Buy a brake caliper painting kit for around $30 (or even less if you buy some spray paint) and do it yourself. Or you can have Corvette Pilot powdercoat you a set for $200 exchanged.

 

I still haven't grasped how you all perfectly mask your CORVETTE lettering when painting these calipers so they come out with the letters exposed.

 

You don't. Use a sanding block and/or exacto knife to get any paint off the letters.

 

Okay, I'd Rather Do It Myself And Save Some Cash!!!
Do I Need To Take Them Off, And If So, Is There A Link Showing The Right Way To Do It????

 

My Other Idea Was To Have The Garage That Will Be Changing My Tires And Wheels Out To Exchange My Calipers For New Ones And Then Paint The Old Ones Really Nice And Sell Them On Ebay. Does That Sound Stupid?

 

PM CorvettePilot (Mike). He has been doing powdercoated calipers for Forum members. Great price and an excellent job with almost any color combo you can come up with.

See this link: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1302261

Heres mine he did:

 

Hammie - the easiest way to "unpaint" the Corvette word on the front calipers is wait until the paint is almost dry. Mine were just slightly tacky to the touch. I got a brand new utility knife blade and literally scraped the paint off the letters. The cool thing was that I had fully formed letters in red on the floor when I was done.

As far as removing the calipers - not necessary. I used the G2 Folia-Tec kit which is a two stage epoxy. I painted the calipers right on the car, fully mounted. In retrospect, I wish I had at least unbolted them and fashioned a hanger so the caliper wouldn't be hanging by the brake line. I also painted the "carrier", and wish I didn't when I was done. It should be black.

Since that time - I had a set powdercoated, though not by CorvettePilot. I have seen his work though - and he does a beautiful job. If you can scrounge up an extra set of calipers, so you don't have to remove yours or if you are willing to tie your car up for a week or so - the best way to have them powdercoated is to send him a set. The turnaround is very quick. If you wait until he has his extra set available - you're in for a long wait...there's a waiting list.

Like anything else - the outcome is only as good as the time you put into preparation and performing the task. If you do it real quick - it won't look as good as if you had taken your time.

 

Looking good!

 

See this is where I had my problem. I see they're stock white letters, but if you use a knife on them, couldn't you scratch up the white lettering underneath? Also, if you're carving paint off the top, why doesn't the paint of the SIDE of the raised letters raise up a little? If it's applied to a smooth surface on the side of the letters (you can't possibly sand those effectively) I would expect the paint to find its way off the side of the letters once the tops have been cut out.

Did you sand your calipers or just clean and paint them?

And to the threadstarter, I apologize for hijacking the thread, I have always wondered about painting my calipers though.

 

First of all, Hammie - they're not white. They're raw metal. They are just raised. With a sharp blade against the letters, your not hurting the metal, just exposing it. Go out to your car and look closely at them and you'll see what I mean.

I too apologize to the originator, but if Hammie has questions, others might as well, and maybe this will clarify the process for someone else.