Caliper Paint Job

[EnRag3D]

I'm changing all my brake rotors and pads this weekend so I thought i'd clean up the calipers and maybe repaint em.

So far im going with a metalic red color, really just w/e red i can find.

But I'd like some ideas on colors that would go well with my car, so far im going with a silver/black scheme (body kit wont be on for another 2-3 weeks (HTFU! ))

Also what prep work garantees a good job and what paint should I use.

pic of the car:

[Spunky Munky]

Hey mate, I recently repainted my calipers blood red or orange/red as it's known. Go to Repco and they will show you this colour, it's not the usual boring red, it's metalic and a tad orange - makes the car look really hot.

Ok how to get best results...here's what you gotta do...

1. Take your rims of one by one (if you only have a standard car jack) - alot of people spray with rims on - this is a no no as you cannot get to the hard-to-reach corners and it won't be a complete job...so you take your rims off and sand it down as much as you can so that there are no rough surfaces or left over bulky paint bits left...spend at least 20 mins sanding each caliper down...

2. Buy some good quality primer (the grey primer) - spray one at least and no more than two coats of primer onto the caliper allowing 35 minutes for each to dry then repeat.

3. After the primer has completely dried and has setted. Apply two coats of the colour paint, spray like 2cm away from caliper with an up and down motion moving from left to right evenly. Make sure to cover/mask off unwanted areas before painting. Allow each coat 1 hour to follow dry then repeat second layer. In my opinion, two layers is plenty as more will just make the caliper look bulky and over-painted.

4. Put your rims back on but do not drive or move the vehicle at all for 24 hours. Spend some time going through over-spray areas with a cloth and some strong detergent like petrol or paint removing liquids.

5. Get a soft piece of cloth or tissue, put some wax onto it and then wipe over calipers once. This is to remove any dirt or dust gathered to bring out the sign...then drive your car off...it's done!

I strongly suggest this blood red colour but other options which also look nice include: gold, black and dark yellow. Each to their own...Gold and black would probably be nice and subtle whereas red or yellow would be loud and 'in your face.' Depends on the look you want to project.

Good luck.

Kevin

[EnRag3D]

Thanks spunky thats exactly what i needed to know

cheers

[Craved]

2cm is far too close - follow the instructions on the can you buy to do this.

same goes for flash time between coats, usually its 20 -60 mins so which ever tickles your fancy

[Nic_A31]

I'd recommend at least removing the caliper and unbolting the brake line holder from the base, so you can rest caliper on the ground or on the lower control arm...then you've got a bit more mobility for sanding and painting..

Taking the calipers off altogether and dismantling them is the way to go though...then you could anodize them ?

But yeah, definitely not a fan of these dodgey paint jobs while the caliper is still fixed to the knuckle assembly....stupid half assed idea if you ask me.

[S1LV3RTRACKS]

Hey mate, I recently repainted my calipers blood red or orange/red as it's known. Go to Repco and they will show you this colour, it's not the usual boring red, it's metalic and a tad orange - makes the car look really hot.

Im going to paint my calipers in the next few weeks and I am looking for a nice red colour. Spunky Munky, you mentioned about this blood red or orange/red caliper paint from Repco. Last week I drove down to my local Repco store and asked them for this colour. They had no idea whatsoever. Do you know the brand or anything that can help me show them what I am after – perhaps a picture of the paint can? Would you happen to have a picture of your result? Sounds like a nice colour.

Edited January 25, 2010 by S1LV3RTRACKS

[EnRag3D]

tbh i spent ages trying to find the right paint, ended up buying 4 different cans lol!

repco/autobarn/super cheap, are usless when it comes to getting the right color.

I ended up using a firehydrant looking red on the front calipers and disks looks rly good, but im looking for a metalic red as I think it would suit my car more.

but none of the above stores stock any cans of metalic red caliper paint

looks like i will be paying $100 or so to get a litre of paint made for me.

[BstewyR33]

tbh i spent ages trying to find the right paint, ended up buying 4 different cans lol!

repco/autobarn/super cheap, are usless when it comes to getting the right color.

I ended up using a firehydrant looking red on the front calipers and disks looks rly good, but im looking for a metalic red as I think it would suit my car more.

but none of the above stores stock any cans of metalic red caliper paint

looks like i will be paying $100 or so to get a litre of paint made for me.

try and find a can of duplicolour metal cast, they have an anodized red that looks pretty wicked

you'll have to ring around to try and find it though, i found some at my local supercheap

[S1LV3RTRACKS]

I really like the look of the duplicolour metal cast anodized red. Found some at my local Supercheap at $20 a can. Need what they call duplicolour groundcoat also, so assuming one can of each will do four calipers the price comes to $40. Going to attempt painting in a few weeks when I have some free time. Was looking at the Anodize your brake calipers thread - some good information with pictures in there.

Edited January 28, 2010 by S1LV3RTRACKS