Brake caliper covers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
Brake caliper covers
I have a 99 FRC. I have replaced the stock rotors with drilled and
slotted rotors and replaced the wagon wheels with chrome thin spke wheels (from JWMotoring, great to deal with). I would like to cover the
ugly calipers with a set of red caliper covers, but I am concerned with having enough clearance between caliper and wheel, I measured about
3/16" clearance is this enough? Or shouild I just paint them?
thanks jerry
slotted rotors and replaced the wagon wheels with chrome thin spke wheels (from JWMotoring, great to deal with). I would like to cover the
ugly calipers with a set of red caliper covers, but I am concerned with having enough clearance between caliper and wheel, I measured about
3/16" clearance is this enough? Or shouild I just paint them?
thanks jerry
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
You've made a serious new member mistake...asking people how to spend your money. 
The DUPLICOLOR kits from AUTO ZONE, O'REILLY'S, etc work very well. The paint is silica based so it's very durable. You needn't remove the calipers, hoses, drain brake fluid, etc to do it. Some paint only the outside visible side, but it's so easy to paint the entire caliper with just minor masking. One can is more than enough. Colors are available. Very inexpensive and easy to do. It dries quickly.
You'll need a can or two of aerosol brake cleaner and a wire brush to prepare the calipers for the paint.
I would suggest you buy a better quality paint brush to apply the paint though. The brush that's provided looks like a cheap solder flux brush.
The DUPLICOLOR kits from AUTO ZONE, O'REILLY'S, etc work very well. The paint is silica based so it's very durable. You needn't remove the calipers, hoses, drain brake fluid, etc to do it. Some paint only the outside visible side, but it's so easy to paint the entire caliper with just minor masking. One can is more than enough. Colors are available. Very inexpensive and easy to do. It dries quickly.
You'll need a can or two of aerosol brake cleaner and a wire brush to prepare the calipers for the paint.
I would suggest you buy a better quality paint brush to apply the paint though. The brush that's provided looks like a cheap solder flux brush.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Sep 20, 2011 at 04:50 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
You've made a serious new member mistake...asking people how to spend your money.
The DUPLICOLOR kits from AUTO ZONE, O'REILLY'S, etc work very well. The paint is silica based so it's very durable. You needn't remove the calipers, hoses, drain brake fluid, etc to do it. Some paint only the outside visible side, but it's so easy to paint the entire caliper with just minor masking. One can is more than enough. Colors are available. Very inexpensive and easy to do. It dries quickly.
You'll need a can or two of aerosol brake cleaner and a wire brush to prepare the calipers for the paint.
I would suggest you buy a better quality paint brush to apply the paint though. The brush that's provided looks like a cheap solder flux brush.
The DUPLICOLOR kits from AUTO ZONE, O'REILLY'S, etc work very well. The paint is silica based so it's very durable. You needn't remove the calipers, hoses, drain brake fluid, etc to do it. Some paint only the outside visible side, but it's so easy to paint the entire caliper with just minor masking. One can is more than enough. Colors are available. Very inexpensive and easy to do. It dries quickly.
You'll need a can or two of aerosol brake cleaner and a wire brush to prepare the calipers for the paint.
I would suggest you buy a better quality paint brush to apply the paint though. The brush that's provided looks like a cheap solder flux brush.
with all of that. I have done this on several cars and the results are great. Definitely get a good quality brush from a crafts store as suggested above. Also, I used a wire wheel attachment for my dremel to clean the calipers before painting. Make sure you get them VERY clean for best results.Also, be sure to get the kit that comes with a can of paint not a rattle can. The spray on stuff doesn't come out as well...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
with all of that. I have done this on several cars and the results are great. Definitely get a good quality brush from a crafts store as suggested above. Also, I used a wire wheel attachment for my dremel to clean the calipers before painting. Make sure you get them VERY clean for best results.Also, be sure to get the kit that comes with a can of paint not a rattle can. The spray on stuff doesn't come out as well...
I would suggest pulling the calipers off the car as you can do a much better job cleaning them and painting them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I used the Duplicolor kit on my Xterra and even one coat looks great and lasts. Kit comes with a cleaning solution and yes, the infamous flux brush-not sure which covers more, the paint or the bristles as they fall out of the brush.
I'm a bit of a cowboy since I have a fairly steady hand, so I didn't even remove the wheels. (had to roll the truck a few times tho'.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale Florida
At least unbolt them from the bracket and hang them from the wheel well with a wire hanger. This way you don't have to mess with the brake lines.
EDIT:
I always also suggest to people that they do a two tone paint job; red caliper and black caliper bracket. Makes it look cleaner in my opinion.
Last edited by SFL_driver; Sep 20, 2011 at 08:37 PM.
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I would agree with everyone else here - painting them looks better. Not hard to do - they key is in the prep work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Thats exactly what I did, I even painted the hat on the rotor black. I did something a little different than most, I actually polished the corvette lettering on the calipers. It gets quite a bit of attention just because of that, all things considered of course.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
Just did my dad's vette in blue with polished letters. It really made them pop. I'm going to re-do my red caliper paint job this winter with polished letters. Looks very clean that way...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Is a 'Wheelskin' in the wings too? 
Powder coat, or paint!
[/QUOTE]
There was a Corvette with what looked like Wheelskins at our show this past sunday. Did not like the look nor the fact that I've been reading for years that they cause heat build up.
Powder coat, or paint!
[/QUOTE]There was a Corvette with what looked like Wheelskins at our show this past sunday. Did not like the look nor the fact that I've been reading for years that they cause heat build up.