C5 caliper color?

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Feb 26, 2012 | 10:43 AM

Corvette03051

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Melting Slicks

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From: Hudson, NH

C5 caliper color?

Any one know the name of the factory paint color to use on a standard c5?

Feb 26, 2012 | 10:57 AM

cal45

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From: Orlando & Flagler Beach FL

Not sure if they are actually painted. If you are going to make the effort to re-paint, red is the way to go.

Caliper before

Calipers after

Feb 26, 2012 | 11:21 AM

GCG

Melting Slicks

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From: Miami FL

You may want to take a look at this thread

Feb 26, 2012 | 07:23 PM

Corvette03051

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Melting Slicks

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From: Hudson, NH

Thanks but I've had the big brake cars and see no reason to turn my car into something it's not. It's still a standard brake

Feb 27, 2012 | 10:57 AM

Corvette03051

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Melting Slicks

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From: Hudson, NH

caliper color

all worthy ideas, but does any one know the name of the original caliper color?

Feb 27, 2012 | 11:21 AM

jrose7004

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From: Oklahoma City OK

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I believe that they're not painted at all from the factory but rather just bare metal.

Feb 27, 2012 | 12:06 PM

c4cruiser

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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69

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Quote:

Originally Posted by corvette02035

Thanks but I've had the big brake cars and see no reason to turn my car into something it's not. It's still a standard brake

For a color, you should be able to use any auto spray can paint in gray. If you are intending to take the calipers off, take them to a powdercoating shop to see what color shades they have that are close to the OEM gray color. Powdercoating will last much longer than paint and will resist brake dust. You will have to remove the pistons, seals, and bleed screws but that's not a big deal to do.

While the Z06 calipers are red from the factory, there is no difference at all between the standard caliper and the Z06 caliper except for the color.

Feb 27, 2012 | 01:09 PM

doje

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From: Fremont CA

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Quote:

Originally Posted by corvette02035

Thanks but I've had the big brake cars and see no reason to turn my car into something it's not. It's still a standard brake

The Z06 has the same calipers - only they are red from the factory. Not bigger, just red.

Also, the factory base brakes are BARE ALUMINUM. No paint, no powder, no anodizing. That's what bare aluminum looks like if it never gets polished in the first place.

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Feb 28, 2012 | 06:58 AM

Corvette03051

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Melting Slicks

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From: Hudson, NH

Thanks for the help. So bare aluminium is what I should look for. They look terrible now.

Feb 28, 2012 | 07:20 AM

#10

m6 c5

Melting Slicks

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From: Yorktown Virginia

A little steel wool and some cleaning agents will make them look brand new again.

Feb 28, 2012 | 10:38 AM

#11

doje

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Quote:

Originally Posted by m6 c5

A little steel wool and some cleaning agents will make them look brand new again.

Or, if you're hell bent on painting or powdering them, contact Mike the Powder Coater and ask him if he can mix up some powder that looks like the stock bare aluminum color. I'm sure he could. Of course, it would be like putting a wood patterned shelf paper over your mahogany cabinets.

Feb 28, 2012 | 04:05 PM

#12

Corvette03051

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Melting Slicks

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From: Hudson, NH

good ideas

Thanks for the many good ideas. I just don't want to change the original color. I'll try the steel wool first, then Mike.
Thanks

Feb 29, 2012 | 10:25 PM

#13

bighank

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From: Silver Spring MD

Red brush on Duplicolor Caliper Paint is the way to go

Did that several years ago when doing all around brake pad replace.

Secret is several coats of paint about 20 minutes apart until the calipers are not showing any bleed thru. Did about 5 or 6 coats and let it dry a day. Put on pads and touched up any areas scraped or scuffed. Topped off by using white paint on the front Corvette letters. Still look good years later. Original calipers looked really grungy before the paint job.

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