Advice on painting my calipers

[dynot]

Anyone have any advice for me on painting my brake calipers? This is my first time doing this and I'd hate to screw it up!

I've done a search and found some recommendations on what paint to use. I got the Dupli Color Paint Kit and figured red would look best on my black a/c.

Specifically, I'd like to know if I have to take the calipers apart and if so where can I get info on how to take apart those on the a/c. The instructions do say to remove the brake pads but I'm hesitant on doing that especially without insructions.

Thanks for any help...

[generic808]

I forgot what "brand" of paint I used but any high heat paint will suffice. I used red also and it looks great! You will have to take everything apart, including the removal of your brake pads. As far as where you can find info, I'm not sure. Maybe you should get a friend or a qualified professional to do it if you're not sure of yourself. Good luck.

[dynot]

So the pad removal is absolutely necessary?

I was afraid of that.

[audtatious]

To do it right you should remove everything and prep it properly. Of course, you can also do a "quickie" by simply using a brush to paint the calipers while still on the car. I picked up a can of metallic silver high-temp paint, sprayed the paint into the lid and used a paintbrush to paint the caliper. If you take your time, you can get a good coating on the whole caliper without any "slops".

Hell, I even did mine with the tire on, granted I had lots of space at the time due to the wheels I was using.....

If you have time, do it right

[generic808]

To do it right you should remove everything and prep it properly. Of course, you can also do a "quickie" by simply using a brush to paint the calipers while still on the car. I picked up a can of metallic silver high-temp paint, sprayed the paint into the lid and used a paintbrush to paint the caliper. If you take your time, you can get a good coating on the whole caliper without any "slops".

Hell, I even did mine with the tire on, granted I had lots of space at the time due to the wheels I was using.....

If you have time, do it right

Wow, I never heard of anyone doing it that way! So it came out ok, huh? I took EVERYTHING apart and the total time spent was probably about 3 hours!! Hmm...maybe next car I'll just brush it on

[audtatious]

It worked out OK. I would use a small touch-up brush at places to keep the paint off the back of the brake pads, which is something I didn't do and was given shat for it



The paint has stayed on for a year now as that was at the last NOPI Nats. It does need some touchup at this point but that's all.

[dynot]

It worked out OK. I would use a small touch-up brush at places to keep the paint off the back of the brake pads, which is something I didn't do and was given shat for it

Why is it so important to keep paint off the back of the brake pads? I can understand the part where it makes contact with the disk, but the back!

From some of the replies I read here I take it some spray the paint on. The kit I bought has a brush so I figured this is the norm.

Anyway, thanks for all the advice posted. I'd rather not take anything apart (except to remove the wheels ) so I'll take my time and do the best I can. Time is one thing I do have plenty of!

[audtatious]

Shows I was lazy and didnt take time to seperate parts or tape stuff off.



I really didn't care that much honestly as I just wanted to get rid of the greenish caliper look.

[MisfitBrian]

Why is it so important to keep paint off the back of the brake pads? I can understand the part where it makes contact with the disk, but the back!

From some of the replies I read here I take it some spray the paint on. The kit I bought has a brush so I figured this is the norm.

Anyway, thanks for all the advice posted. I'd rather not take anything apart (except to remove the wheels ) so I'll take my time and do the best I can. Time is one thing I do have plenty of!

I don't think it's that important to keep the paint off the back of the pads, it just probally will look cleaner. As far as painting the calipers, the brush type will last longer & look better if you do it right. Put on several thin layers rather than glopping it on. When I did my last car, I jacked up one side of my car & went back & forth between front & rear calipers. That paint lasted more than 2 years without any touchups.

[audtatious]

I just put one coat on last year and went back over it this year to brighten it back up some.