Checked other threads and getting conflicting info. I want to paint all 4 calipers. Is it possible to remove all 4 ? Or do I need to do 2 at one time? How do I cap off the hoses so the Brake fluid does not drip out? what size cap do I need for the brake line? And what is the proper procedure for bleeding the air on reassembly? I know a lot of questions but want to make sure its done right. Thanks for your terrific site

 

Flash, did my calipers last weekend. Just jack your vette up, near the wheel yu want to work on, take the wheel off and tape around the caliper. Took me about 4-5 hrs.

 

I am replacing the pads and rotors and just assume removing the calipers to get a better paint job. Thanks

 

It will be easier if you paint them off the mounting brackets and with the pads out. You don't need to disconnect the lines, just support the calipers so their weight is not on them lines.

I did mine last weekend as well. I took my time in masking with pads and brackets and painted them on the car. I jacked one whole side up at once and went back and forth between front and rear. Took an afternoon (and a couple of beers)!

I used the Dupli-color kit (brush-on). Came out well (and what a difference between old and painted).

 

There is no need to disconnect the brake line from the caliper to replace the rotors or pads or paint the calipers. In fact, bleeding the brakes is going to be a serious and unnecessary hassle. It is much easier to paint them while still on the car. Here is a tutorial to get you started. There are many more out there.
http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=15

Many use rustoleum paint found at home depot. You just want to be sure to clean the caliper thoroughly with brake cleaner/ simple green/ wheel cleaner first. Then rough up the surface with a metal wire and apply one or two coats of primer. Then apply three to four coats of spray paint. Allow about 15 to 20 minutes of drying time between coats. For the front calipers, apply some chapstick to the "corvette" letters so that after the paint dries, it will be easy to peel the paint off of the letters with a razor blade.

 

Thanks for all your help. Guess I will not take them (calipers) off. Figured it would be a hassel. once again Thanks.

 

I am waiting for warmer weather before I paint my calipers but I would like to throw out a suggest for spray painting any part that's still on the car.
Take the card board center of a paper towel roll (approximately 12 inches long, the same as the distance suggested for spraying) and cut a half circle (the size of half a nickel) at one end of the tube. This will allow you to put the spray nozzle in the cut out - aim it at the caliper or the part you are spraying and pesto 90% of the overspray is elimintated. Test it out with a couple of short bursts to check the coverage amount. In some cases you may want to cut the tube a bit shorter.
My 75 vette had some rust on the black alternator bracket, I used this procedure and did not have to disassemble anything.

I would still cover up surrounding area, it always pays to be safe.

 

I painted mine on the car! I just spent lots of time masking and used lots of masking tape and newspaper!

 

I did all 4 a couple of weeks ago, front first, then rears. The brackets were rusted so I took them off and painted them gloss black. I removed my calipers completely, not a hassle really, makes it easier to paint, beside they were filthy and needed a good cleaning. I just let the brake lines hang into a container, not much fluid came out. To clean the calipers I bought a pressure washer, then wire brushed and finally rinsed with a spray on solvent. Painted with high temp engine paint, used Chrysler red which is pretty close to torch red. Like others, I scraped the paint off of the Corvette letters, lightly sanded, then sealed with clear nail polish. After reinstalling, I used a vacuum brake bleeder (~$40) to get the air out and clean out some pretty cruddy looking fluid. Took a full weekend to do it, but I'm kind of a perfectionist. Getting the bracket mounting bolts off is a PITA, I had to use my hydraulic jack to push on my socket wrench handle to break them free. Some say they have success by just heating up the bolts, but I don't know how you can get enough heat into them short of a blow torch. While you have it apart you can use the pressure washer to clean up the years of gunk that collects on the suspension. Spray some silicon lubricant on the bushings to keep squeaks away. Good luck.

 

 

 

Hi, i took the wheels off and disconnected the calipers then use'd a large plastic drop cloth over the whole car and down to the ground. then i cut a hole and pulled the caliper through and taped the hole back up. Wanted to make sure of no overspray. good luck , walt

 

Yup, the brackets are a pain to get off. There have been lots of suggestions on how to break them free. Using a jack to apply pressure is a new one. Great idea - you probably just have to watch that the wrench doesn't slip. I'll store this idea for future needs!

 

The problem is bleeding the brakes after your remove them. From what I am told you can get close with a speed bleeder, but you need a tech II to do it right due to the active handling/ Traction control. Remove the caliper and suspend it with a zip tie or hanger and paint.

 

you dont have remove the calipers, in fact it is easier to leave then attached, there is lots of room to work. I used plastic garbage bags for masking off the area.

This takes time but the look is well worth it, polish the surface to 600 grit (80, 120,320, 600) and use a high gloss caliper paint, usually the color of the car. the viewable surface is only the face.

leave the letters alone, you want then to stay square and retain the sharp edges.

The corvette letters can then be sanded with 600 and then 1000, (1500 if you got it) after the paint is dry. If you mask the caliper the paint may be removed. Now rubbing compound the letter and they will look like chrome.

Now stand back and be amazed.

 

Just pick up a set of new calipers. It's much easier. No masking, no overspray, no fuss, no muss. Yes, a little more pricey, but what's a few extra dollars. The you could clean up the old ones and sell them to recoup some of the money.

 

I am getting ready to put some new slotted and drilled rotors on soon, and I will also be painting my calipers, so I am pretty much in the same boat and that is should I paint them during my rotor swap or not. My initial thoughts were just to knock out the rotors and then a few weeks later paint the calipers (not removing them). I am still not sure what I am going to do, since it sounds like either way is straight forward and fairly simple. I just didn't want to get hung up during the rotor job (bolts that don't want to break loose, etc) and then get rushed to paint - I'll figure this out soon.

Anyway, great tips and great info - thanks!!!
DaveR