Grimy caliper
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 63
From: Phoenix (Fall/winter/spring); Seattle (summer)
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
Grimy caliper
Finally getting time to do some deep cleaning on my 02 coupe, and my calipers are really dirty/grimy/stained. Someday (soon hopefully) I will paint them. But until then, what do you recommend I use? So far Simple Green has cleaned it a little, but they're a long ways from being clean.
Last edited by Harley6; Jun 11, 2016 at 12:03 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 714
Likes: 104
From: Springfield Ohio
Can't really tell from the picture, but a leaky caliper can cause your problem. I'd pull the caliper and inspect for leaks. Replace or rebuild the caliper if it's leaking. No amount of cleaning will last if you don't fix the cause.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
Finally getting time to do some deep cleaning on my 02 coupe, and my calipers are really dirty/grimy/stained. Someday (soon hopefully) I will paint them. But until then, what do you recommend I use? So far Simple Green has cleaned it a little, but they're a long ways from being clean.
... Yuuuuupp, time to roll up the sleeves and get'r done, and inspect the condition of seals, brake hoses, etc. Don't get lazy when it it comes to this safety issue and the welfare of it's occupants. I agree with the other suggestions to use brake cleaner and brushes !!...
....Have a beer and have fun, good luck !!P.S...... Wire brush or wire wheel those hubs where the wheels make contact, can create a irregular contact surface causing pulsation !!
Last edited by 2FAS4UU; Jun 11, 2016 at 02:15 PM.
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
You could always do the "exchange" program offered by Centric/Stoptech and/or Cardone....they both offer rebuilt calipers that are already powder-coated.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,680
Likes: 24,667
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 '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
When I got ready to paint my calipers, I used a liberal amount of brake cleaner, then used some fine grade steel wool, followed by more brake cleaner. That got all the grime off, then I applied the caliper paint. Many years later, the calipers still look like new.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 63
From: Phoenix (Fall/winter/spring); Seattle (summer)
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
I didn't see any leaks, so perhaps there was a previous issue that was repaired but not cleaned up well?
I still want to paint the calipers to make them pop more under my Z06-style wheels. What do you think would look cool on a black car? I see a lot of red, but wonder how a black caliper would look.
Thanks to all for your input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 471
Likes: 83
From: Lafayette LA
I used Purple Power. That ****'s STRONG. Followed it up with some brake cleaner to get any residual stuff, and then used brake cleaner again a day later just to give it a once over.
Attachment 48362421
Attachment 48362422
Attachment 48362421
Attachment 48362422