When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
What did you use to clean those? Brake clean or soap and water.
Combination of Purple Power followed by Brake Cleaner. Lightly coated the outsides of it with the purple stuff and immediately wiped it down with a shop rag. Then sprayed it on the shop rag and got in between the fins. Then sprayed the brake cleaner all over it with a gentle wipe down.
This was with the old pads on. Today I changed the pads and coated all of the parts with more brake cleaner while it was disassembled just to make sure I got anything that seeped in. New pads, bled the brake lines, and good to go. After an autocross this weekend I plan on completely going to town with cleaning the fender wells and other plastics, and greasing ball joints etc...
That purple stuff works wonders for greasy stuff.
Has anyone painted them on the car without removing anything? Spray or brush?
Yes I have brushed the ones on the corvette with out removing them. I have also painted calipers on a Impala SS with a can with out removing. It is possible to do.
Yes I have brushed the ones on the corvette with out removing them. I have also painted calipers on a Impala SS with a can with out removing. It is possible to do.
I would think it would be really hard to paint (either brush or spray) without removing calipers from the rotors and pads. How would you get to the backside? How would you be able not to get paint on the pads? How could you clean the calipers fully? I think it's best to just undo the caliper bolts and hang them ( I used a wire hanger). You can clean them fully (which is EXTREMELY important) and be able to paint the entire caliper.
Here is my 02's calipers and they were done like 13 years ago.
I went the brush on painted route. Complete disassembly, I was replacing pads and rotors also. Bolted the caliper on by itself and painted, let dry over night and re-assembly. That was 2 years ago, took off my wheels to clean the barrels and calipers. They look as good as when I first did them, no fading or chipping.
I wanted them red and I had already spent my $$ on go fast goodies; LT's, dynotune, etc.....
Removed the calipers from the rotor, plastic bag over the rotor
Removed the pads. Put the caliper back in place. Backed up were I sprayed with cardboard. I did not do a lot of heavy spraying. As for the back of the rotor, not seen, not worried about it.
Ok, guys, I have to bare my soul. I've never removed a caliper. I know drum brakes inside out, but never learned how to do disks, despite being told how much easier they are than drums. Where are the caliper bolts? The mechanic who did my wheels said my pads had plenty left, so if I take it out for painting is it a problem to put it back?
Knewblew, those are some nice wheels!
Ok, guys, I have to bare my soul. I've never removed a caliper. I know drum brakes inside out, but never learned how to do disks, despite being told how much easier they are than drums. Where are the caliper bolts? The mechanic who did my wheels said my pads had plenty left, so if I take it out for painting is it a problem to put it back?
Knewblew, those are some nice wheels!
It's easy. You just need two wrenches. I just changed pads and brake lines, and plan to completely remove them to clean the ever living hell out of them and upgrade to DOT4 fluid after an Autocross this weekend.
If you plan on removing them from the brake lines, you're going to need to bleed the system.
Ok, guys, I have to bare my soul. I've never removed a caliper. I know drum brakes inside out, but never learned how to do disks, despite being told how much easier they are than drums. Where are the caliper bolts? The mechanic who did my wheels said my pads had plenty left, so if I take it out for painting is it a problem to put it back?
Knewblew, those are some nice wheels!
Thanks.
The bolts are on the backside of the caliper.
If you are going to use the same pads, she'll go right back together. Though, if you put new pads in or new rotors, you'll have to compress the caliper.
I recommend not taking off the brake fuild line. Also, do not let the caliper hang by the brake fluid line though, use something like a wire hanger to hold up caliper while you clean/paint them.
I paint mine with VHT Caliper paint. Remove, Clean, Scuff, Etch prime, and paint. These were done about 30K miles ago, and the car is driven daily, rain or shine. I have done lots of cars like this and the paint has never failed. I believe reliability is all in the prep.
