z06 Calipers
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 447
z06 Calipers
In the near future, I plan on getting some red calipers. Don't want to go the painted route, powder coated for sure. I found a set of new z06 calipers for under $400 shipped. I was wondering how the GM powder coating has held up for you guys. Not aware of a local powder coater in my area but was curious on your guys experience with the stock GM ones. Thanks in advance.
-Frank
-Frank
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
The GM Z-06 caliper is the way to go. I have had both. I painted the original calipers with two stage epoxy paint that lasted well over 12 years. At the time that was a less expensive way to go. When i found a good price for the GM Z-06 calipers I bought them and are very satisfied. Going on at least 7 years. This pic was taken early this spring.
Last edited by Fcar 98; Jun 6, 2016 at 12:01 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
You do realize the only difference in your caliper and the Z calipers is the red paint, right ?
It would be MUCH cheaper to just paint your and not spend $400 bucks for another set.
It would be MUCH cheaper to just paint your and not spend $400 bucks for another set.
Last edited by Sinister-one; Jun 6, 2016 at 01:09 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
...If the desire is to have 'Red' calipers and spend $400 plus your labor, then go for it, but be sensible. A lot of us including myself went in the direction of the rattle can mod, just a little labor, red epoxy paint and some clear ($10) and a fine tooth file to run over the raised Corvette letters on the fronts and now you have $390 to spend on those other little things that need attention, but it's your call and your money,....
!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
...If the desire is to have 'Red' calipers and spend $400 plus your labor, then go for it, but be sensible. A lot of us including myself went in the direction of the rattle can mod, just a little labor, red epoxy paint and some clear ($10) and a fine tooth file to run over the raised Corvette letters on the fronts and now you have $390 to spend on those other little things that need attention, but it's your call and your money,.... !!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 20,393
Likes: 431
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
NCM Member '09
Or, send your set to Mike the Powder Coater (a search will pop his info easily). Fantastic job, and fast as hell! 
Last edited by 'Shifter; Jul 2, 2016 at 08:45 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,340
Likes: 24,779
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I did the calipers on my '03 using Folia Tec red calipers paint. It is epoxy based (hardener + paint) that you just brush on and when dried, there are no brush marks. Have had it on the car for nearly 7 years and still looks like new. Cost for the paint (one kit is enough to do four calipers and brackets if desired) was around $36 shipped to your door. Got it from the big auction site. There are other DIY kits out there too.Seems a waste to spend $400 for what you basically already have minus the color. But, it's your money. BTW, I did not take the calipers off the car to paint them - just removed them from the bracket, used some wire to hang them and then painted them. I did remove the caliper brackets and painted them off the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
Over time the paint does not clean up as well. When it comes to the powered coating you can get done i can not speak to that. If you can afford the Z06 that is the long term solution. I have owned my car for 18 years, I plan on keeping it, that is why i took that route. If you plan on trading it any time soon than that is a different story. For me the Z06 were the way to go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
Over time the paint does not clean up as well. When it comes to the powered coating you can get done i can not speak to that. If you can afford the Z06 that is the long term solution. I have owned my car for 18 years, I plan on keeping it, that is why i took that route. If you plan on trading it any time soon than that is a different story. For me the Z06 were the way to go.
...FJC, you are correct on one point, after a long period of time the brake dust will attack exposed 'paint', but what most guys forget to do is 'clear coat' over the paint which protects the pigment. Either way one chooses, in the end, it's what the individual wants to spend. Having to remove the unpainted calipers and then install the same new red calipers, you now have the 'fun' pleasure of bleeding the entire brake system,....
. Anyway the OP will make the call, we just share our own personal experiences on the forum !!....
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 472
Likes: 83
From: Lafayette LA
OEM clean up nice. I put stainless steel lines on yesterday, and worked on cleaning up the calipers. It was getting dark so I did what I could. They clean up pretty well.
This is an 02 Z06 for age reference.
Attachment 48362421
Attachment 48362422
If I wanted to paint non-red calipers, I'd be fine with the brush on kit But I do have the ability to powder from home. I really would rather not break them down and remove seals and other parts if I could avoid it though. I've done the brush on stuff on other vehicles and it comes out clean.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
...FJC, you are correct on one point, after a long period of time the brake dust will attack exposed 'paint', but what most guys forget to do is 'clear coat' over the paint which protects the pigment. Either way one chooses, in the end, it's what the individual wants to spend. Having to remove the unpainted calipers and then install the same new red calipers, you now have the 'fun' pleasure of bleeding the entire brake system,..... Anyway the OP will make the call, we just share our own personal experiences on the forum !!....
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
I did the calipers on my '03 using Folia Tec red calipers paint. It is epoxy based (hardener + paint) that you just brush on and when dried, there are no brush marks. Have had it on the car for nearly 7 years and still looks like new. Cost for the paint (one kit is enough to do four calipers and brackets if desired) was around $36 shipped to your door. Got it from the big auction site. There are other DIY kits out there too.Seems a waste to spend $400 for what you basically already have minus the color. But, it's your money. BTW, I did not take the calipers off the car to paint them - just removed them from the bracket, used some wire to hang them and then painted them. I did remove the caliper brackets and painted them off the car.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 447
OEM clean up nice. I put stainless steel lines on yesterday, and worked on cleaning up the calipers. It was getting dark so I did what I could. They clean up pretty well.
This is an 02 Z06 for age reference.
If I wanted to paint non-red calipers, I'd be fine with the brush on kit But I do have the ability to powder from home. I really would rather not break them down and remove seals and other parts if I could avoid it though. I've done the brush on stuff on other vehicles and it comes out clean.
This is an 02 Z06 for age reference.
If I wanted to paint non-red calipers, I'd be fine with the brush on kit But I do have the ability to powder from home. I really would rather not break them down and remove seals and other parts if I could avoid it though. I've done the brush on stuff on other vehicles and it comes out clean.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,869
Likes: 252
From: Hillsboro OR
In the near future, I plan on getting some red calipers. Don't want to go the painted route, powder coated for sure. I found a set of new z06 calipers for under $400 shipped. I was wondering how the GM powder coating has held up for you guys. Not aware of a local powder coater in my area but was curious on your guys experience with the stock GM ones. Thanks in advance.
-Frank
-Frank