to me!
Paint my calipers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
Paint my calipers
I've made the decision to paint my calipers. I found a mechanic to remove/replace the calipers. I contacted a powder coat guy that has done calipers before. but when the powder coat guy asked me what color, I just assumed red. And then I got to thinking about it. Why only red. What about emerald green ? Is that just tooo wierd ? Purple ? Would a bizarre color lower the re-sale value of my 'vert (pewter w/ oak interior and top) ? I'd appreciate you opinions. Joe
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 2
From: Walnut Creek CA
I wouldn't do purple or emerald green if you're worried about resale. Then you have to find a buyer that either likes the same color or is willing to overlook it or change it themselves. This significantly reduces the buyer pool.
Are you painting? Or powder coating? If you're powder coating, forum vendor TPS Motorsports does a killer job and will do a set of 4 standard color (red or black) for $310 or candy colors for $400. I just got a set of their candy blue calipers for mine and they are awesome, very high quality. Send "TPSmak" a PM for details and shipping/core exchange info. They do a lot of these and know how to do them without interfering with the operation of the caliper, others may or may not have this experience.
Are you painting? Or powder coating? If you're powder coating, forum vendor TPS Motorsports does a killer job and will do a set of 4 standard color (red or black) for $310 or candy colors for $400. I just got a set of their candy blue calipers for mine and they are awesome, very high quality. Send "TPSmak" a PM for details and shipping/core exchange info. They do a lot of these and know how to do them without interfering with the operation of the caliper, others may or may not have this experience.
Last edited by Rob04C5LM; Apr 27, 2011 at 11:30 PM.
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Red is always a good choice, but pewter would be a very nice color too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
I have been considering this on my pewter coupe. I also think there is a powder "chrome" that would look great (probably similar in appearsnce to coated headers).
If you decide on either of these, please post pics of the result. It may help me get off my a$$ on this.
If you decide on either of these, please post pics of the result. It may help me get off my a$$ on this.
Last edited by 4 KRUSIN; Apr 28, 2011 at 08:12 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Puyallup Washington
I jacked my C5 Z06 up at all 4 corners, took off the wheels, removed the one bolt that held each caliper in position, cleaned them thoroughly with wax and grease remover, while the brake hoses were still attached, and painted them blue to match my car. I had an autobody shop mix some Electron Blue paint and put part of it in spray cans. This was done in January. While I have not put a lot of miles on the car since then I did go to a high performance drivers ed class where we did repeated fast as you can stops from high speed. The paint on the calipers still looks like new. The total cost to me was about $ 50.00 to get the paint made and put in spray cans and a bit of my time. While I had the wheels off I cleaned and waxed them so they clean very easily now. I also installed ceramic brake pads and got rid of most of the brake dust that made my black wheels look brown. I also installed speed bleeders and did a complete flush of the brake fluid in about 15 minutes.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
Ya know... if I was smart, and I'm not, but if I were, I'd come up with a way to have a photo of a Vette's front wheel and some way to show various colors of calipers. That was probably a run-on sentence, but hopefully you get the idea. Are there some 5th graders on the forum that could do this for me ? The photo would be static and one could click for different colors. Or...click for different color cars and then for the color of caliper. Wow. Now I've got to go take a nap. Joe
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 250
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I like different colors, EVERYONE seems to have red these days. I just finished painting mine blue on my quicksilver 02. Used the duplicolor kit that was on sale at walmart for $4. Yes you heard me $4
I say do something unique, green or purple could look awesome if its the right shade
I say do something unique, green or purple could look awesome if its the right shade
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
my vette is medium purple pearl metallic. the calipers are also painted a purple color. but are fading horribly and need to be redone. G2 makes nice kits, but the purple is too light for mine i think. trying to decide what I want to do. sadly, rustoleum doesnt make a purple color.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 732
Likes: 2
From: Baxter MN
I have the LeMans blue 04 and I like the idea of Blue calipers. Rob04 has calipers that I may consider in the future. I notice he took the time to use white for the lettering on the fronts. Looks nice. Thanks for sharing.
Glen
Glen
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
I think red calipers just pop out of the wheels. Your attention is drawn to them because of the bright red contrast.
To me, color coordinated calipers seem to get lost behind the wheels, particularly dark colored wheels. Black and silver as well but not to the same degree.
While powder coating is a very durable product, are you aware of the DUPLICOLOR kits available at your favorite auto supply source? You don't need to remove the calipers, just clean them thoroughly and apply the silica based paint to the calipers. There's several color options available.
To me, color coordinated calipers seem to get lost behind the wheels, particularly dark colored wheels. Black and silver as well but not to the same degree.
While powder coating is a very durable product, are you aware of the DUPLICOLOR kits available at your favorite auto supply source? You don't need to remove the calipers, just clean them thoroughly and apply the silica based paint to the calipers. There's several color options available.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Apr 29, 2011 at 11:19 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery TX
I've made the decision to paint my calipers. I found a mechanic to remove/replace the calipers. I contacted a powder coat guy that has done calipers before. but when the powder coat guy asked me what color, I just assumed red. And then I got to thinking about it. Why only red. What about emerald green ? Is that just tooo wierd ? Purple ? Would a bizarre color lower the re-sale value of my 'vert (pewter w/ oak interior and top) ? I'd appreciate you opinions. Joe
It's your car so you need to do what will make you happy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
Don't bother having yours painted or coated.
I believe there is a vendor on this forum that will send you a set already powdercoated, all you do is install them and send him back your stock ones.
I'm sure someone will reply with his info.
This is preferable because the longer your car sits with no calipers, the longer for air to get into your brake system and the harder it is to bleed.
If you swap them quickly, bleeding them is a snap. Just fill a large jar 1/2 way with fluid, run a hose from the bleeder into the jar making sure the end is submerged so no air can get back up the hose. Then open the bleeder 1/2 turn and slowly pump the pedal 10 times. Close the bleeder and feel for firmness in the pedal. If it is soft, repeat the process.
Do 1 wheel at a time, testing the pedal after each wheel.
Top off the master cylinder to keep it full after every 10 pumps.
as far as parts, all you'll need is the calipers and some new copper banjo washers available at the dealer or most parts stores for a couple dollars. Be carefull of the torque you put on the banjo bolts. Too little and they can leak brake fluid on your rims (which will damage them) and too much and you can destroy the banjo bolt. I forget what the exact torque spec is.
I believe there is a vendor on this forum that will send you a set already powdercoated, all you do is install them and send him back your stock ones.
I'm sure someone will reply with his info.
This is preferable because the longer your car sits with no calipers, the longer for air to get into your brake system and the harder it is to bleed.
If you swap them quickly, bleeding them is a snap. Just fill a large jar 1/2 way with fluid, run a hose from the bleeder into the jar making sure the end is submerged so no air can get back up the hose. Then open the bleeder 1/2 turn and slowly pump the pedal 10 times. Close the bleeder and feel for firmness in the pedal. If it is soft, repeat the process.
Do 1 wheel at a time, testing the pedal after each wheel.
Top off the master cylinder to keep it full after every 10 pumps.
as far as parts, all you'll need is the calipers and some new copper banjo washers available at the dealer or most parts stores for a couple dollars. Be carefull of the torque you put on the banjo bolts. Too little and they can leak brake fluid on your rims (which will damage them) and too much and you can destroy the banjo bolt. I forget what the exact torque spec is.
