Brake Calipers
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 839
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From: Allentown PA
Brake Calipers
Hey guys, I was curious about how I would go about painting my calipers in this manner. Currently, they are stock color, duller gray with silver letters, and I thought it would look pretty badass if I painted the caliper black, and the raised "corvette" letters either bright silver or red. How would I go about doing this? I know they make the spray that u can coat the calipers with, but how would i get those corvette letters a different color?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi BAblackvette -
Here is how I do them.....
http://www.iammoon.com/c5tech/caliper_painting.htm
best regards -
mqqn
Here is how I do them.....
http://www.iammoon.com/c5tech/caliper_painting.htm
best regards -
mqqn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 2
From: ATL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Hi BAblackvette -
Here is how I do them.....
http://www.iammoon.com/c5tech/caliper_painting.htm
best regards -
mqqn
Here is how I do them.....
http://www.iammoon.com/c5tech/caliper_painting.htm
best regards -
mqqn
I was going to post mine but after seeing the time and effort that went into that, I'll just move along.
I did use the chapstick on the "Corvette" letters and I thought it worked well for me.
Best of luck.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 2
From: Elkins Park PA
I would like to remove my calipers completely (detach from the brake lines) prior to painting. I'm pretty confident that by removing only one at a time, air in the lines will not be an issue, nothing more required than a simple bleeding.
It's not clear to me if I can do MORE than one at a time -- maybe 1 front and 1 rear? All 4?
Or, does anyone know of a cap to put over the line while the caliper's removed to keep air from getting in?
Any recommendations or thoughts on this at all would be appreciated.
It's not clear to me if I can do MORE than one at a time -- maybe 1 front and 1 rear? All 4?
Or, does anyone know of a cap to put over the line while the caliper's removed to keep air from getting in?
Any recommendations or thoughts on this at all would be appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 2
From: Elkins Park PA
I just read on a Porsche site that slightly depressing the brake pedal and blocking in place after pulling the calipers (but prior to disconnecting the lines from the calipers) would keep fluid from leaking out. Any thoughts on this? Applicable to Vettes too?
Does ABS screw with any of this?
Does ABS screw with any of this?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
Hey guys, I was curious about how I would go about painting my calipers in this manner. Currently, they are stock color, duller gray with silver letters, and I thought it would look pretty badass if I painted the caliper black, and the raised "corvette" letters either bright silver or red. How would I go about doing this? I know they make the spray that u can coat the calipers with, but how would i get those corvette letters a different color?
If I had it to do all over again I would remove them and have them powder coated. The quality can't be beat!
If you did not get them powder coated then use a spray can of paint. I used that on my brackets and they turned out nice.
I used a razor blade to shave the paint off the corvette letters. Very easy and looks great. If you wanted to paint them using a small paint brush would be easy but the silver letters look great even without paint.
Good luck...they really do look better painted just remember the prep work is what takes the longest and is the most important.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Thanks! The more the merrier, though - post up your how too!
best regards -
mqqn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,195
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From: ATL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Really I just had some pictures...
I had installed some GM cross-drilled and slotted rotors on the car shortly after I bought the car. Within a short amount of time, the rotors rusted up pretty bad and the whole area left a lot to be desired.
I removed the calipers, leaving the hoses attached, and supported them on top of the axle. I covered the wheel well with yard-sized trash bags and covered the car with those cheap plastic painters drop cloths.
I used "VHT" spray paint from Autozone.
I used some clear on the fronts and it seemed to work out pretty good too.
I cleaned the calipers, brackets and rotors with a wire brush and brake parts cleaner.
On the front calipers I used chapstick accross the "Corvette" letters to aid in paint removal from the letters alone.
I did not tape off the rotor as I wanted to make sure it got covered well.
I also gave the "fins" a light coat.
After everything was back together, the overspray on the rotor face was gone by the end of the driveway. It did shutter initially, but that was that.
Its been about two years now and everything still looks good.
I need to take the wheels off to give everything a good cleaning but thats about it.
Rears before.
Rear after painting, before driving.
Fronts being sprayed.
Done, and after a quick drive to clear the rotor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,118
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From: Chesterfield MO
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'13-'14
Thanks, folks should be warned about the GM drilled and slotted rotors
as they are not zinc dipped and will rust the first time you drive in rain
or wash the car. (at least they are not made in China) I painted mine and put on the chrome rotor hats.
I went and shelled out the bucks to get the Z06 powder coated calipers.
as they are not zinc dipped and will rust the first time you drive in rain
or wash the car. (at least they are not made in China) I painted mine and put on the chrome rotor hats.
I went and shelled out the bucks to get the Z06 powder coated calipers.
Last edited by Big-Red; Aug 13, 2007 at 06:43 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Richardson Texas
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
The calipers are not heavy and the weight is not putting any undue pressure on the lines in this case.
On some cars, yes, the calipers can be heavy and the lines held at such an angle as to potentially harm the lines, but not in this case at all.
Not a problem with stock C5 brakes if you do it just like I show.
Can you show me any evidence that this is damaging to the brake lines?
best regards -
mqqn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 0
From: Richardson Texas
Hi Bret01Z06 -
The calipers are not heavy and the weight is not putting any undue pressure on the lines in this case.
On some cars, yes, the calipers can be heavy and the lines held at such an angle as to potentially harm the lines, but not in this case at all.
Not a problem with stock C5 brakes if you do it just like I show.
Can you show me any evidence that this is damaging to the brake lines?
best regards -
mqqn
The calipers are not heavy and the weight is not putting any undue pressure on the lines in this case.
On some cars, yes, the calipers can be heavy and the lines held at such an angle as to potentially harm the lines, but not in this case at all.
Not a problem with stock C5 brakes if you do it just like I show.
Can you show me any evidence that this is damaging to the brake lines?
best regards -
mqqn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
I know that used to always be the rule - but the brake calipers are much lighter than they used to be.
I have to let them hang to get them low enough to paint without having to mask off the whole car etc.
Incidentally, when many techs work on C5 (and I assume other cars) brakes, they clamp off the brake line (!!) to prevent having to bleed the brakes and or to prevent fluid loss.
So - I respect your caution, but I have done several C5's like this with absolutely no problem - and one of the cars was track-run several times after we did the work.
best regards -
mqqn