DTrem13 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I'm thinking about painting my calipers on my car sometime soon. Either Red or Blue. I think both would look great, but everyone has red, and blue might be a change. What are your thoughts and opinions? Also, how much of a process is it? Is it easier to paint them while attached to the rotor, or would I get a better end result if I were to take the calipers off? Any advice would help out a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChargerMatt Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I painted mine by myself without taking them off (also have a charger). It's fairly easy, the main thing is to make sure you don't let it run onto the pad. I used the G2 Blue paint. It comes with everything you need except a wire brush and a low grit sandpaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teksmabrep Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Since it would be your first time I would recommend removing the calipers. you don't want to risk getting paint on the pads and rotors. Sent from Picture This! Auto Care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teksmabrep Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I painted mine by myself without taking them off (also have a charger). It's fairly easy, the main thing is to make sure you don't let it run onto the pad. I used the G2 Blue paint. It comes with everything you need except a wire brush and a low grit sandpaper. Looks awesome bro Sent from Picture This! Auto Care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTrem13 Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 I was just about to PM you Matt The blue looks great! I may go for that color too. How much of a pain is it to take off the calipers? I've never done that but I'm sure I am capable of doing it once I know how haha. I'll do some research online. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3PedalMINI Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 since im afraid of brakes and taking them off i just left them on. The main thing is prep work prep work prepwork And cleaning and more cleaning. Since im assuming your doing these on a vehcile that has a few thousand miles i would pull the calibers so you can clean them really well. I did mine in place a few days after i took delivery of my Mini, taping is the worst imo but i carefully hit them with brake parts cleaner and they were as good as new, only had 60 or so miles on them. my process was a bit different as i had to match my mirror caps and there was no brake caliber paint that would match them. So i went to my automotive paint store and they matched the plastic mirrors near perfectly. These were done with a self etching primer 2 coats, 4 coats of bascoat and then 5 coats of clear. over 10k miles and not a single issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBlack151 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 When I bought my SS a few year back the previous owner painted the calipers red. After a year or so I noticed them chipping or fading to a light red or pink color. I purchased some G2 black caliper paint and removed the previous color with sand paper and a wire brush. I then masked off the rotors and lines around the caliper. The G2 kit uses a brush to apply which worked well. They came out great, however next time I plan on taking the calipers off and grinding down the calipers better to give them that smooth look. Or just get them powder coated by someone. Good luck. It's not a tough job, and you'll be happy with the results. Here are some pics of them from a while ago. I've sinced then upgraded to R1 cross drilled and slotted rotors and began my addiction to Adam's to take care of that dirty undercarriage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marylander Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I did red calipers on my red audi, and black calipers on my grey VW. Honestly, I think colors that blend in look classier than colors that really stand out, unless of course you're really going for the "pop" factor. Think long term -- two years from now will you appreciate the subtle finishing of a low-key color or be a little embarrassed by racy stand-out colors? Then there are other dilemmas... on my very original MR2 I can't bring myself to paint the calipers, as much as I truly want to.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTrem13 Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 I wouldn't mind taking the calipers off. It seems like it would be nice to know how to do. And then I can do a VERY good job cleaning them and doing a good job with the paint. Matt, what was the benefit of painting the rotor? I don't really see it, unless it's just because of the angle of the picture? I did red calipers on my red audi, and black calipers on my grey VW. Honestly, I think colors that blend in look classier than colors that really stand out, unless of course you're really going for the "pop" factor. Think long term -- two years from now will you appreciate the subtle finishing of a low-key color or be a little embarrassed by racy stand-out colors? That's a very good point. I think that they both seem to be a bit low key. Everyone (around here at least) seems to have red, so I may go with blue, and try to get the smoothest look I can, so I'm thinking about taking the calipers off and really taking my time and doing a good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryPolska Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Plan on claying your whole car afterwards if you don't cover it like Brendon did in his photos. I had to clay my whole Tahoe after painting my calipers. I didn't think overspray would be as bad as it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3PedalMINI Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Plan on claying your whole car afterwards if you don't cover it like Brendon did in his photos. I had to clay my whole Tahoe after painting my calipers. I didn't think overspray would be as bad as it was. +1+1+1+1+1+1 i cant stress that enough, if your spraying them in place just carefully cover the whole car, took me 10 minutes. Much better then 1 1/2 hours of claying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemoN Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 i painted mine as well....it's time for a touch up though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChargerMatt Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Matt, what was the benefit of painting the rotor? I don't really see it, unless it's just because of the angle of the picture? Just looks. They were getting a rusty-orange color and it was a big eyesore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryPolska Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Just a couple tips, Use Caliper paint. It's made specifically for Calipers, and has a high temp rating. Clean the crap out your calipers. I think I used a solvent such as goof off, or something similar. I also used scuff pads and cleaned them very well. Bury those calipers in paint. Do not me scared to cover them well. Most calipers are textured and will soak up a lot of product. I remember doing something like 9-10 coats on mine and they came out awesome. I'd put a few coats, let them sit for awhile and cure, then come back and coat again. So be patient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTrem13 Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 +1+1+1+1+1+1 i cant stress that enough, if your spraying them in place just carefully cover the whole car, took me 10 minutes. Much better then 1 1/2 hours of claying Looks like I'll be taking them off then! I don't have a car cover since she's my DD. Overall I think they would look better if I were to take them off the car and take my time since it's my first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChargerMatt Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Looks like I'll be taking them off then! I don't have a car cover since she's my DD. Overall I think they would look better if I were to take them off the car and take my time since it's my first time. You don't NEED to spray them. The G2 is a brush on paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kornercarver Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I painted mine using the G-2 system and did not remove the calipers. I didn't use the brush that G-2 supplied, I used a 1/4" artist's brush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txredgt Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Stupid question time, what happens when you get the paint on the pads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryPolska Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Stupid question time, what happens when you get the paint on the pads? Every time I've done this, I popped the pads out before painting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTrem13 Posted April 25, 2012 Author Share Posted April 25, 2012 Stupid question time, what happens when you get the paint on the pads? I'm sure it would cause a ton of brake dust, and it would probably stop you from stopping the car in normal time. Maybe even warp the rotors? Not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txredgt Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 I could see problems painting the pads where they contact the rotors and it would grove them, but what about where the caliper brackets expose the back of the brake pads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris@Adams Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 If you are going to spray them I would take the caliper off there mounts and remove pads. I brushed a set before while on the car and they turned out good.Be sure to post up pics when done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemoN Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 i believe yall may be either over estimating the strength of paint...over under estimating the strength of steel here lol. if you get a bit of paint of the pads, the first time you romp on the brakes it'll wear off. but you may increase stopping distance for a bit. take the pads off to paint to be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTrem13 Posted April 25, 2012 Author Share Posted April 25, 2012 How long of a process is this? Can it be done in a day (assuming I have no problem cleaning the rotors and taking them off?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemoN Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 easily with in a day's time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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