Calipers, paint or powder coat?

[RARZ]

I will be doing a brake job soon and while i have the wheels off I am thinking about coloring my calipers. My fronts are rusty and not looking to good but the backs are still in great shape.

So question is should i paint them or get them powder coated. Also my car is blue. I am thinking black or a gold color?

Pictures and opions please

[SilverTwin(OH)]

If the calipers/seals are in good overall condition, I would just paint them. Powdercoating requires a full dis-assembly and rebuild of the calipers.

Color is a subjective/personal opinion. For a Blue Z, I would either go with Black or Silver Calipers. If black, do the Nissan logo in silver or vice versa.

Tim

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Eastwood makes an excellent caliper coating kit. I think it's only $40, and the results are excellent.

[es.biggs]

I used some high temp spray paint from the parts store. It works fine too. I think the option above me is a good route as well, but this way is cheaper. May not look quite as good as that Eastwood kit, I'd have to compare in person, but those pics look great! If you are using the spray can method, just make sure you clean the caliper well and apply a few coats. 1 can got me 3 coats on all 4 calipers.

[marty1mc]

All of the major parts stores sell caliper paint and clear. It only comes in a few colors (red, black, silver), but it works well.

You can shoot your calipers in place by pulling your pads, anti-squeel pads, clips and other hardware. Tape the bleed screw, and all of the things you don't want painted. especially the rubber gaskets around the piston. You can get them pretty clean with some brake clean and a plastic brush before you tape. Shoot the entire caliper, then file the Nissan logo once the paint is completely dry. Shoot the caliper with clear and you're done. Mine came out looking great. I didn't shoot the backside as part of it, but you never see it anyway.

It's a simple process and can be very successful if you get the dirt/grease off the caliper first. You will know if you don't, because you will get fish-eyes anywhere the paint wasn't able to adhere to the caliper. So, clean them thoroughly and make sure to tape off all of the rubber, bleed connections, hoses and you should like the result.

[RARZ]

I work at napa, and we have a Dupli Color caliper painting kit. I think im going to use that and do them in black.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Shoot the entire caliper, then file the Nissan logo once the paint is completely dry.

True, I used the VHT brake caliper paint on my silver Z. Did them black, and they came out great. Rather than filing the Nissan, you can also paint it with a small brush and Testor's Enamel Model paint. Especially helpful for those with iron calipers.