Painting calipers

casabonka · 29-12-2009, 10:37 PM

Gday everyone,
looking at painting my brake callipers black soon. Is there an easy way to paint them, or do i need to pull the callipers off?
Cheers

melbzetec · 30-12-2009, 12:13 AM

This is the stuff you need

http://ppcco.com.au/kits5.htm

A complete kit, with proper cleaners and prep, and ceramic caliper paint. No need to remove calipers. It goes on with a foam brush. I've used it twice and you get a really good finish. Much better than cheap spray cans (which also require calipers removed for a decent finish)

ThePistonHead · 30-12-2009, 12:17 AM

Hi mate, whilst not owning a Focus i did this on my fairmont 2 days ago.

Just mask and newspaper the wheel arch, don't need to take them off.

Big tip: Wipe your calipers/pads with a petrol soaked rag before you paint as it will remove any oil that wont wash off with water. I didn't do this for my front 2 calipers and it looks crap. Will have to redo them down the track.

Also let it dry completely before spraying, and leave for as close to 24 hours as possible to dry. You could get away with overnight IMO.

ThePistonHead · 30-12-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbzetec

This is the stuff you need

http://ppcco.com.au/kits5.htm

A complete kit, with proper cleaners and prep, and ceramic caliper paint. No need to remove calipers. It goes on with a foam brush. I've used it twice and you get a really good finish. Much better than cheap spray cans (which also require calipers removed for a decent finish)

Hmm, interesting. WOuld have considered this is i'd known about it.

Price does put me off though. $70 + vs a $20 spray can + a rag of petrol.

I'm sure it comes out better, but really who pays that much attention to brake calipers?

casabonka · 30-12-2009, 08:33 AM

Thanks for that - I spose $70 isnt too bad if its going to give it a decent non rusting finish!
Another task for the holidays perhaps!

Cheers

Fast Eddie · 30-12-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote: ".....who pays that much attention to brake calipers"?

Ah, If you've seen Melbzetec's LR Focus you'll know why.

melbzetec · 30-12-2009, 06:20 PM

Eddie, I pay too much attention to most things on my car!!!!!

:

fiestaz · 31-12-2009, 03:54 PM

i did the ones on my fiesta zetec, painted them blue.. just bought a can of engine enamel, used a steam cleaner to clear the calipers (and the drums in my case) and sprayed the paint into the lid and used paint brushes.. very happy with how it came out, no issues at all. too easy

Rev28K · 31-12-2009, 04:39 PM

Try using the black paint that you can use for painting pot belly stoves. You can get it at any Bunnings or hardware store, it stands high temperatures (my callipers have reached 600 degrees on track days according to the brake temp paint) and it's cheap as chips.

You can paint it on with a brush. I’ve done my hubs and rotors and while it isn’t perfect it looks better than the corroded metal that would be in its place if I didn’t do it. Don’t worry about any paint getting on to the disc surfaces as this will be ground off when you go for a drive after it has set.

casabonka · 01-01-2010, 09:44 PM

Well after being lured into Supercheap who were open today - I went the cheap option, for $17 The spray tin has done a good enough job, and have just spent the afternoon painting them. They prob dont look 100%, but I dont think I will pay enough attention to worry other wise! I didnt take off the callipers, just masked them in the end!

Thx again for the help like usual

819_FLY · 02-01-2010, 12:53 PM

Throw up a couple of pics buddy perhaps....

tce · 02-01-2010, 02:55 PM

I painted the ones on the falcon and just brushed them off with a wire brush, put a rag over the disk and used a can of Metallic blue paint to mach the car, It was just standard paint but is still there a year later.

casabonka · 02-01-2010, 07:06 PM

Its a very dodgy piccie - but the best I could get in the almost pitch black garage!

I really should clean the inside of my rims a bit better....

Fredo · 04-01-2010, 11:30 AM

Looks okay from this angle Casa . . . noice!!
Fredo

casabonka · 04-01-2010, 06:24 PM

Well my 2 1/4" Lukey Exhaust is going on Wednesday, so if its not still raining I'll take her for a bath and get some better piccies up!

Fredo · 05-01-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casabonka

Well my 2 1/4" Lukey Exhaust is going on Wednesday, so if its not still raining I'll take her for a bath and get some better piccies up!

What did you settle on for the exhaust Casabonka?

Straight through with a single muffler?

Fredo

casabonka · 05-01-2010, 05:50 PM

Yep exactly that. 300 bux, so i cant complain! Cant wait til the morning!

#Russ#Es# · 09-01-2010, 01:25 AM

Hope you don't mind me posting a few picks of my painted calipers in your thread Casa. Has been in the works for a number of months - have the front calipers done, just need to finish the rears over the next few days.

There's a car under there somewhere!

Final result.

nstg8a · 09-01-2010, 01:32 AM

i did the 'brembo in a can' mod to mine today, just sprayed them with wax/grease remover, wiped them off with a rag, then used the same rag to cover the disc and sprayed them with autobarns caliper paint.

looks good imo, and if it comes off il do it again lol

casabonka · 10-01-2010, 09:43 PM

Hey Russ, looks great - amazing how much better it looks when you can be arsed and actually do i properly! haha nice job!