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Does anybody have any recommendations on how to paint the raised letters on the Z51 brake calipers while leaving the caliper a different color? I would like to do a red caliper with white letters?
Does anybody have any recommendations on how to paint the raised letters on the Z51 brake calipers while leaving the caliper a different color? I would like to do a red caliper with white letters?
What we used to do in the "old days" for raised letters on truck tailgates. We would (using your colors) paint the letters with a few coats of white, then paint the tailgate red. Sanding the surface (carefully - you are removing thin layers of pain) with 400 grid quickly exposes the white underneath.
Might be harder to do on calipers, but I thought I would pass it along.
What we used to do in the "old days" for raised letters on truck tailgates. We would (using your colors) paint the letters with a few coats of white, then paint the tailgate red. Sanding the surface (carefully - you are removing thin layers of pain) with 400 grid quickly exposes the white underneath.
Might be harder to do on calipers, but I thought I would pass it along.
Been wondering the same thing. I think I may hand paint the calipers gloss black (G2 epoxy paint), then use a sanding block on the raised lettering, exposing the shiny aluminum underneath. If it looks OK, I will apply a clear coat on the raised lettered area. My other thought is I may very carefully paint the raised lettering afterward with my atomic orange touch up paint with a clear coat as well. Anyway, I think I need to reschedule and do this once the weather warms up as I believe the epoxy paint may have issues being applied under 55 degrees F.
Been wondering the same thing. I think I may hand paint the calipers gloss black (G2 epoxy paint), then use a sanding block on the raised lettering, exposing the shiny aluminum underneath. If it looks OK, I will apply a clear coat on the raised lettered area. My other thought is I may very carefully paint the raised lettering afterward with my atomic orange touch up paint with a clear coat as well. Anyway, I think I need to reschedule and do this once the weather warms up as I believe the epoxy paint may have issues being applied under 55 degrees F.
Oh! That's a good idea GHOLD, "exposing the shiny aluminum underneath". Sand/polish/buff the letters then put wax ( Chapstick - 919cw313 just posted that while I was posting, looks that's a good idea. ) or something on top of the letters and paint the calipers. Then wipe off the letters. I saw a guy once tape a casting, lightly tap the edges, and remove the excess for an prefect mask.
Hmmmm, I think you have decided my Spring project! My 'vette is MagRed (almost CRM in color). I have the same problem as you, in that it is a great color, but does not quite work with a pure red.
Last edited by Dutch08; 12-15-2017 at 05:56 PM.
Reason: Added Chapstick comment by 919cw313
Oh! That's a good idea GHOLD, "exposing the shiny aluminum underneath". Sand/polish/buff the letters then put wax ( Chapstick - 919cw313 just posted that while I was posting, looks that's a good idea. ) or something on top of the letters and paint the calipers. Then wipe off the letters. I saw a guy once tape a casting, lightly tap the edges, and remove the excess for an prefect mask.
Hmmmm, I think you have decided my Spring project! My 'vette is MagRed (almost CRM in color). I have the same problem as you, in that it is a great color, but does not quite work with a pure red.
MagRed is my favorite color. Crystal Red is as close as I could get. I powder coated so I could do CRM to match the car. If you decide to spend more $$$ powder coating MagRed would look great! Sorry to HIJACK!!!
Last edited by Vet Interested; 12-15-2017 at 07:46 PM.
Finally had a couple days over 55 degrees this past weekend. Painted the calipers with G2 "Atomic Orange" epoxy paint. Sanded the raised lettering and smeared a little chapstick on the letters before painting. Used Hi-Temp Clear gloss on sanded letters. Just waiting 24 hours for a full cure. Thanks everyone for the opinions!
[QUOTE=919cw313;1596187255]^ Some have had success covering the letters with chapstick before painting and just cleaning it off after. Paint won't stick.[/QUOTE
Looks great OP...I have DSOM and have been thinking about this for awhile, the body color is definitely the way to go on our orange cars. Re: powdercoating, we used to have Mike the Powdercoater on the Forum but I read he no longer does powdercoating, anyone else around that you all can recommend? Even a mail away place would work...thanks!
dang it. I looked for Atomic orange from G2 last summer and didn't see it. So I did mine in blue just to give it a contrast but man I like that orange too. Might be sanding mine this summer and redoing mine in AO. Looks good!
I just checked G2 as some AO caliper paint sets . Price is a little high for that little paint can but I guess its worth it since it does hold up to the heat really well.
I've been thinking about this for some time. I like the idea of a bright glossy color but I don't like having to wash the pad dust off so often in order to keep them looking good all the time. Mine are still the natural metal finish and tho they look a little dingy I think they'd look worse if I painted them a conspicuous color and noticed all the dust every time I go to get in the car. Also, I suppose some people buy rebuilt calipers and pay a core charge that is credited back for the rebuildable ones that come off the car. I don't know if old calipers are an acceptable core if they've been painted. But, I guess one could just keep their old calipers and buy the parts needed to rebuild them so that wouldn't be an issue. After all, calipers are pretty simple to rebuild.
12-15-2017, 01:46 PM
