caliper paint
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Cruising
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 12
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caliper paint
has anyone painted their brake calipers? what paint would you recommend? if I want a garage to do it should I go to a paint shop or a brake service? How much should it cost?
Thank you for your comments.
Thank you for your comments.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Hurricane Alley
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Powder coating would give you the best and probably longest lasting effects, but you'd have to remove/disassemble the calipers or pay someone else to do so. That will cost you money and the vehicle will be out of commission for at least several days.
You might be able to find someone who has the calipers already done on an exchange basis. You might check EBAY under "C5 Corvette" or "Z06 Corvette"
THE EASTWOOD COMPANY (and others) sells a DIY kit in various colors that does not require you remove/disassemble the calipers. They have to be thoroughly cleaned with brake cleaner, then the product is either brushed on or sprayed on. It comes in various colors and is very durable. I've done calipers in dull aluminum and they still looked good after four years of hard street use.
Check out THE EASTWOOD COMPANY and use keywords "brake caliper paint."
You might be able to find someone who has the calipers already done on an exchange basis. You might check EBAY under "C5 Corvette" or "Z06 Corvette"
THE EASTWOOD COMPANY (and others) sells a DIY kit in various colors that does not require you remove/disassemble the calipers. They have to be thoroughly cleaned with brake cleaner, then the product is either brushed on or sprayed on. It comes in various colors and is very durable. I've done calipers in dull aluminum and they still looked good after four years of hard street use.
Check out THE EASTWOOD COMPANY and use keywords "brake caliper paint."
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
I used the Dupilcolor kit... brush on was easy and good results. 
First time was the spray... lemme just say... prep and mess was not worth it.
Powder coating is the best result, but make sure you have a caliper seal kit when you get them back. You'll need to replace the old ones if you go that route.
First time was the spray... lemme just say... prep and mess was not worth it.
Powder coating is the best result, but make sure you have a caliper seal kit when you get them back. You'll need to replace the old ones if you go that route.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
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From: Texarkana Texas
I went to the local auto paint store and had them mix a can of spray paint that exactly matches my car which is Millenium Yellow. Masked off what I didn't want to paint, cleaned it well and sprayed. A year later, they still look good. Not as good as powdercoating but a lot easier and cheaper.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
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From: DFW Texas
A lot of folks have had really good luck using a caliper paint kit you can get at Autozone or Wallmart. (if you want them RED) The KEY is getting the calipers completely clean and get a better small brush. A couple of coats and you are good to go. Razor blade then small sanding block for the letters - looks pretty good. Not a good as powercoat, but surprisingly good.
The kit is about $10 or so and you can have all four done in two hours max!
GOOD LUCK
The kit is about $10 or so and you can have all four done in two hours max!
GOOD LUCK
Melting Slicks
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From: Stillwater,MN
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Dayton Ohio
I'm currently painting mine with Duplicolor Metalcast (2 stage...supposed to look anodized). It was the closest match to MRII that I could find in a high-temp paint. As it's a spray, I have several hours into the job. Brush-on would be much easier. Neither are nearly as durable as powerdercoating, however.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: St. Louis MO
G2 don't wast time on anything else!
My vette is the 3rd car I have used G2 on and the stuff blows away the compitition.....No I don't work for G2! They put a lifetime warranty on the paint....You must prep really well with Brakekleen and a toothbrush....(I used 2 cans) The paint goes on with a brush and self levels so there are no brush marks. I always buy the cheap brushes at WalMArt and use a thin one for the edges and a thicker one for the rest. For 30.00 bucks you can't go wrong!
Rich
Rich
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Waldorf MD
I used Duplicolor's Caliper Kit. It has spray cleaner, paint can, brush and mask off tape. Took 4 coats, very easy to do. Looks great and durable. Kit is about $15 at WallMart or PepBoys.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jun 2, 2007 at 06:43 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 54
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From: Troy MI
I used Dupli-Color. The color Red matched my car perfectly.
Took the calipers off the rotors and cleaned them at least 10 times with Simple Green. Covered the car and masked everything off. Sprayed 8 coats and the finish turned out like glass. So far the finish is still perfect after 2 years. Friends of mine who own Corvettes always complement me and asked if I purchased them that way or had them professionally done.
Tip:I used a Chap Stick and covered the Corvette letters then sprayed. Afterward I used and sharp utility blade to slice off the Chap Stick. Do not use you finger to rub the Chap Stick off because it will smear the paint onto the letters.
Took the calipers off the rotors and cleaned them at least 10 times with Simple Green. Covered the car and masked everything off. Sprayed 8 coats and the finish turned out like glass. So far the finish is still perfect after 2 years. Friends of mine who own Corvettes always complement me and asked if I purchased them that way or had them professionally done.
Tip:I used a Chap Stick and covered the Corvette letters then sprayed. Afterward I used and sharp utility blade to slice off the Chap Stick. Do not use you finger to rub the Chap Stick off because it will smear the paint onto the letters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
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From: Westchester County New York
My vette is the 3rd car I have used G2 on and the stuff blows away the compitition.....No I don't work for G2! They put a lifetime warranty on the paint....You must prep really well with Brakekleen and a toothbrush....(I used 2 cans) The paint goes on with a brush and self levels so there are no brush marks. I always buy the cheap brushes at WalMArt and use a thin one for the edges and a thicker one for the rest. For 30.00 bucks you can't go wrong!
Rich
Rich
I used the G2 kit as well, great results....easy to do....cheap....
Le Mans Master
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
Burning Brakes
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From: Waunakee Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '20
Duplicolor kit, available lots of places. Easy to use. You don't have to remove the calipers for a nice looking job. Make sure everything is very clean. Paint the rotor hats right away for a complete job. Make those black, silver or clear. Red would be a little much.
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I painted mine myself and used Folia Tec paint - got it from Xtreme Motorsports.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Providence Rhode Island
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did mine with the brush on stuff from Mid America
did mine with the brush on stuff from Mid America
Last edited by riarms; Jun 2, 2007 at 03:20 PM.