Dave-A

It is time for new brakes and I want to replace my stock gray calipers with red ones but I am not sure of the best approach.

I can buy new Z06 calipers or I can buy a used set on ebay, have them powder coated and rebuild them.

It is a daily driver and I do not want to wait on having my own set powder coated red. I figured I can sell my used set on ebay after I replace them. I plan on stainless steel braided brake lines as well and new Baer rotors and hawk brake shoes.

I am not sure which is the best approach and would appreciate some advice. I am unsure of the finish quality of factory new Z06 calipers. Are they powder coated as well?

allred

All C5 calipers are the same, coupes, convertibles and Z06. The only difference is coupes and convertibles were gray from the factory, Z06 were painted red from the factory.




You can buy powder coated calipers from several suppliers,(approx $450)
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-6...04-c5-z06.aspx




and you will also need the red caliper brackets to go with them. (approx $170)
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...04-c5-z06.aspx

Or you can do what many forum members do, and that is paint them yourself. You can buy Dupli-color kits at your local parts shop in either spray or brush form for as little as $22.00






I used the Dupli-color brush kit on mine. It is a laborious job as it take several coats per caliper to get a good finish, but it is worth it in the end.





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Dave-A

I do understand there is no difference between my rotors and the Z06, other than color. My car is speedway white and I think that touch or red would look nice.

I am more concern about the quality of the finish. Are the factory red calipers powder coated and of a good quality, or can I obtain a higher quality finish by having used rotors powder coated locally? I believe the heat from the powder coating would destroy the seals, but if they are used I would rebuild them myself after powder coating them.

$$$frumnuttin'

Mike the Powder Coater does it the proper way...breaks down the parts, then rebuilds for you after he coats them...best vendor for this stuff.

olbear1962

did great work for me

Vetteman Jack

Either just paint your calipers yourself (cheap and easy) or have Mike the Powdercoater do up a set for you. No need to buy red Z06 calipers when they are the same ones you have now.

allred

And gives excellent results and a lot of self satisfaction. No need to remove the calipers/brake lines, you can do it in-situ.


Have heard nothing but praise for Mike's work, but of course you would have to be without calipers for a short while.


Definitely the most redundant/expensive way to go.


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Smokin Joe

I just finished the duplicolor...literally, the last two calipers are drying. They take forever to cure!!! Days...5 days. Painted per directions, on a clean surface, 74 degree climate controlled shop, 50% humidity. Before they cure they are very soft, and you can leave finger prints in the paint job. Prep took a lot of work and a bunch of dremel bits.

If I did it again, I'd get the powder coated ones. Totally not worth the hassle.

joe's98

I went with TPS Motorsports. They send you the calipers, you have 30 days to send your back for the core charge. Very happy with results.

bighank

Doing a 4 wheel brake job I thoroughly cleaned the calipers with brake clean and a stiff brush. Used brush-on Duplicolor red and applied several coats. Looks bad after 1 coat but great after 4 or 5 coats. Must repaint within an hour or wait 24 hours for it to dry. After putting new pads and mounting the painted calipers used a small brush to touch up a few spots which got nicked during the install. Used a small vial of white paint from a parts store to highlight the Corvette logo on the front calipers. They have held up very well for several years and add to the looks of my silver vert. The Kit is still about $20 and you do not need to waste hundreds of dollars to get the same effect. You get one can of brake cleaner in the kit but you need another can to get the crud off of the calipers to make a nice job. Might want to get another brush as the one in the kit will do the job but is really a crappy brush.

Also I didn't paint the bracket as shown in the previous picture. Think it looks better with just the painted caliper.
BIGHANK

jrose7004

I painted mine with VHT in a rattle can and removed the paint from the letters with a cloth dipped in thinner. Couldn't be easier.

Dave-A

Checked out TPS Motorsports. They want $350 to powder coat the calipers plus $150 for the brackets, plus $400 each for a core charge. That is $500 plus $800 or $1,300!

TPS Motorsports also have several very bad reviews on this forum. I am certainly not convinced this is a good company to trust with that kind of charges for powder coating.

I was planning on having someone local do the powder coating not realizing it could cost anywhere near this kind of money. (I have not talked to a local powder coater yet.)

I can get new GM Z06 calipers for $399 and still have my core! Apparently not definitely the most expensive way to go!

Can it really be that much better to have them powder coated?

norcalace

Red is over rated;

jrose7004

Here's how mine came out.

torchredmadness

It's the most expensive way to go but buy everything before hand and then just change 'em out or have it done. That's what I did. Bought new powder coated calipers, drilled and slotted rotors and ss braided brake lines and had my mechanic install them. Like I said. Pricey but well worth it.

crazystevex

I would say get some VHT caliper paint from AutoZone or Oreilys and give them a good cleaning then spray. Unless you just want to waste $500...

Cybermind

Correction; Factory Z06 calipers are powder coated. I got a brand new set (not refurbished), off of EBay for 400 bucks. It would've cost me more than that to have my originals properly powder coated.