Caliper Painting Advise
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Orlando FL
Caliper Painting Advise
What color and how to keep raised Corvette letters clean. I am leaning towards a glossy black with a shot of clear coat
Here is they look like now:
Thanks,
Vato
Here is they look like now:
Thanks,
Vato
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Palmdale CA
St. Jude Donor '06
I just shaved the paint off the Corvette letters with a blade. First time I painted mine, I used the spray caliper paint. This last time around, I bought the brush kit for touch up and it looks as good if not better than using the spray and it was so much easier to do. If I was doing it all over again, I would definately go with the brush kit. 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
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Paint them with a brush, then sandpaper the RAISED letters. The letters will look better after you sand them than they do now.
BTW: We all can tell the Front's from the Rear's. You did not really need to add the text in the pics.
BTW: We all can tell the Front's from the Rear's. You did not really need to add the text in the pics.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 320
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From: Jackson Mississippi
Originally Posted by JCGRCYA
I just shaved the paint off the Corvette letters with a blade. First time I painted mine, I used the spray caliper paint. This last time around, I bought the brush kit for touch up and it looks as good if not better than using the spray and it was so much easier to do. If I was doing it all over again, I would definately go with the brush kit.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Logansar
Here is a dumb question... are you removing the caliper or can you brush paint it on the car? I would guess that removing, cleaning and painting is the correct way.
Not really necessary to remove them... the brush kit makes it easy to leave them on and get 'em done.
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
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Paint on em the car. Use brake cleaner and a brush to get em good and clean.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by Logansar
Here is a dumb question... are you removing the caliper or can you brush paint it on the car? I would guess that removing, cleaning and painting is the correct way.
I removed mine because I wanted to really clean them and inspect everything, and I had access to a shop and lift so it was easy.
Make sure you read the directions of whatever paint you use, some of them take time to cure after they dry etc....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
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From: Fort Wayne IN
Originally Posted by Glennm27
Paint them with a brush, then sandpaper the RAISED letters. The letters will look better after you sand them than they do now.
After the paint is dry put some tape around the letters then take a sanding block like a small piece of wood 1X2 and some 320 sandpaper to get the paint off the letters. Comes out real clean and the tape will protect the caliber paint. 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
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From: Hollywood Maryland
Paint the whole thing!
I painted mine using Duplicolor's Caliper Paint kit ($15.00 at Wal Mart). Painted over the letters. Used a sharp chisel to strip the paint off of the letters. Then used a Dremmel drill with a 'fine' sanding roll to polish the letters. Left them polished vice painting them. Just easier. To protect the paint job, used 500 degree clear coat engine enamel. Piece of cake. I also took off the calipers to examine the dust shields, add Speed Bleeders and paint the caliper brackets, but doing them in place is just a matter of masking stuff off prior to painting. Use Brake Clean and rubbibg alchohol to clean and prepare the surface. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
my dad painted the original calipers that came on his vette by taking them off and using the spray can system. a couple of months ago, he bought some new calipers and had them powder coated. they looked great both ways. not sure how he didn't paint the letters though. we just recently painted the calipers on my Mach1 with the Duplicolor brush kit and we left them on the car and they look great! didn't have to worry about any type of raised letters cause its a Ford! 
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ormond Beach Florida
Thanks Guys
Funny i have the Bowling green too and looking to paint the calipers also. I think the one member was right i think i will go with the glossy black. Does anyone know do you have to order the paint kiy or can i buy at the local auto parts store?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Originally Posted by luv4vettes
Funny i have the Bowling green too and looking to paint the calipers also. I think the one member was right i think i will go with the glossy black. Does anyone know do you have to order the paint kiy or can i buy at the local auto parts store?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
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Originally Posted by sweetcharity
I painted mine on the car with rustoleum sunrise red (brush on) and after 2+ years they still look great! (jmho )
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A brush kit makes it easy to paint the calipers. IMO, red would look great on your car. No need to remove the calipers, just get them really clean. I used several spray cans of brake cleaner, a little mild steel wool, and then some more brake cleaner.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
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From: Manassas VA
I took the calipers off the rotors and brushed on several coats of black grill paint from Home Depot. Wife painted the letters red with some enamel. Still looks pretty good, but needs a good cleaning.
Logansar, your sig pic is an inspiration to get my **** in gear and get to detailing this weekend!!!
Logansar, your sig pic is an inspiration to get my **** in gear and get to detailing this weekend!!!