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So, I bought a brand new Z06 with the wrong color calipers! I want to paint them red. The car has a total of 115 miles, and I changed the Brembo pads to CarboTech 1521 dustless pads at 90 miles. The calipers are still just like new with no buildup. I watched a video that suggests I can successfully clean with brake cleaner, sand & lightly scuff the calipers with 800 sandpaper, ... carefully mask everything and spray paint them with VHT High Temp Caliper paint ... add my decal, and then clear coat over everything to get a quality appearance . Since everything is so very new, ... shouldn't I be able to get the results I desire without having to sand down to metal and primer everything?? ... I don't see it being that kind of job to change this brand new caliper from Black to Red. I don't anticipate anyone on their knees inspecting the calipers for factory perfection.
That's what I did. After sanding (scuffing them up) I did two coats of primer before the color and clear coats.
What grit sandpaper did you use? ... Just wondered if the primer was "necessary" for the paint to adhere once they were scuffed up? Wondering if being so brand new if this is necessary?
You'll definitely need to scuff them up. If you don’t the paint will peel/chip. Ask me how I know. . A scotch brite pad may be good enough to do the job. I’m not sure if these are powder coated or just painted. Depending on how much scuffing you get from the scotch brite you might need more aggressive sandpaper.
No need taking off old finish.
A light sanding provides a 'tooth' surface so new coating can stick.
Easy job demanding surfaces be absolutely clean for success.
IF using kits w/ brush work fast, stuff sets-up fast lest there'll be visible brush strokes.
What grit sandpaper did you use? ... Just wondered if the primer was "necessary" for the paint to adhere once they were scuffed up? Wondering if being so brand new if this is necessary?
I used 600 grit sandpaper and lightly hand sanded each caliper. The OEM caliper paint is very thin so don't need much to scruff them up. I primed because on a couple edges I hit metal.
I think the aftermarket paints are not as good, especially if you ever subject them to track duty. You could likely sell all the calipers as "almost new" for $1200, and order ones in your color of choice at RockAuto for $1500-2000 or so (IIRC). If I had this issue, that would be my solution.
There is a Vendor here offering powder coatings on your calipers for $799. I have never used their services but the calipers get rebuilt and they look pretty good per their photos shown. It is pricey compared to do it yourself but this would probably be a much more durable finish than a spray bomb or brush on application.
There is a Vendor here offering powder coatings on your calipers for $799. I have never used their services but the calipers get rebuilt and they look pretty good per their photos shown. It is pricey compared to do it yourself but this would probably be a much more durable finish than a spray bomb or brush on application.
I consider changing mine but the black/gray has grown on me. But if I were to do it I would go with that vendor. I checked them out and they seem pretty solid.
Painting NEW Z06 calipers???
. A scotch brite pad may be good enough to do the job. I’m not sure if these are powder coated or just painted. Depending on how much scuffing you get from the scotch brite you might need more aggressive sandpaper.
