Best practice for painting calipers

[synXero]

Considering painting the beams calipers, and finally decided that the colour that will suit Cosmos Blue best for me is going to be gold. It was a toss up between silver and black, but I think gold will look great.

Thinking of using this product: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-Tech-Engine ... 760wt_1378

Last time I did it, I just washed my calipers and fired in with a paint brush. It worked okay but I ended up painting the pads too anyway... Is it acceptable to spray degreaser onto the calipers? Will it affect the pistons, or the pads surfaces, or the disc surface?

[alanmr2turbo]

i used this but they dont do gold

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-Tech-Brake- ... 4d027e3c4e

came with brake cleaner.

I used wire brush to get the rust off then sprayed them with the brake cleaner and brushed on the paint. Gave them 2 coats

[synXero]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-TECH-GOLD-B ... 500wt_1378

You reckon??

[Nic]

Are you painting the calipers whilst fitted or removing them? I've refurbished a few sets of brake calipers recently, pics and info HERE

I'd recommend you use Foliatec brake caliper paint, it's a 2 pack paint that you mix a hardener into. It's available in a wide choice of colours, paints on easily and gives a very hard wearing, bright, smooth finish. The kit includes brake cleaner, can of paint, brush and hardener, you get enough paint to easily do a set of front and rear calipers.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=f ... &_osacat=0

[synXero]

Thanks for the recommendation.

I was intending to do them insitu as it were. I'm not too confident about removing the calipers and I don't really want to risk it not going back together. It's my daily.

[Magic Beans]

Hammerite Smooth in the colour of your choosing, if you're doing them whilst still mounted. Powdercoat if being removed and overhauled

Hammerite paints straight on top of the caliper as is, however giving them a once over with a wire brush will help give a cleaner finish.

[alanmr2turbo]

Are you painting the calipers whilst fitted or removing them? I've refurbished a few sets of brake calipers recently, pics and info HERE

I'd recommend you use Foliatec brake caliper paint, it's a 2 pack paint that you mix a hardener into. It's available in a wide choice of colours, paints on easily and gives a very hard wearing, bright, smooth finish. The kit includes brake cleaner, can of paint, brush and hardener, you get enough paint to easily do a set of front and rear calipers.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=f ... &_osacat=0

Would this stuff be good enough for heat shields as it says it goes up to 300 degrees?

[Nic]

I initially used Hammerite smooth on my calipers and it never quite set hard, even after a few days. Then when I was rebuilding the calipers the paint reacted to some brake fluid I spilt and just peeled off with your fingernail. I stripped the Hammerite off and then used the Foliatec paint instead.

The Foliatec paint brushes on far better than Hammerite, can be painted directly to bare metal, doesn't react to brake fluid and sets very hard, definitely worth the extra money IMO.

[Magic Beans]

I initially used Hammerite smooth on my calipers and it never quite set hard, even after a few days. Then when I was rebuilding the calipers the paint reacted to some brake fluid I spilt and just peeled off with your fingernail. I stripped the Hammerite off and then used the Foliatec paint instead.

The Foliatec paint brushes on far better than Hammerite, can be painted directly to bare metal, doesn't react to brake fluid and sets very hard, definitely worth the extra money IMO.

Good call. I'll check it out when I overhaul the calipers next. The Hammerite has set solid on mine, so far.

[Nails]

I initially used Hammerite smooth on my calipers and it never quite set hard, even after a few days. Then when I was rebuilding the calipers the paint reacted to some brake fluid I spilt and just peeled off with your fingernail. I stripped the Hammerite off and then used the Foliatec paint instead.

The Foliatec paint brushes on far better than Hammerite, can be painted directly to bare metal, doesn't react to brake fluid and sets very hard, definitely worth the extra money IMO.

I used foliatec the first time I ever painted calipers in the 90's. It does work ok but since I've always used hammerite as its much cheaper and it works fine. If it never set right and then came off with a drop of brake fluid then you've done something wrong. More than likey been oil on the callipers

[jimGTS]

Hammerite Smooth in the colour of your choosing, if you're doing them whilst still mounted. Powdercoat if being removed and overhauled

Hammerite paints straight on top of the caliper as is, however giving them a once over with a wire brush will help give a cleaner finish.

i went this route on my old rev2, lasted very well for 2years before i sold it.
never once faded or chipped.

giving them a clean every now and again made them look like i just painted them again.

[Nic]

Would this stuff be good enough for heat shields as it says it goes up to 300 degrees?

I think you'd be better using very high temperature spray paint on the heat shield.

[Draven]

Just had mine powder coated.. (admittedly they f'ed up by not masking off them properly..) but the finish is awesome.

[Loque]

I generally use a dremel with a wire wool attachment on to clean them up first.

[killerferret666]

I had mine powder coated as well and fully refurb'd with new pistons seals etc...

[RST]

I would go for smooth hammerite -"smoothrite" but by brush NOT by spray can -I've tried the can / aerosol stuff and it's never set! I tried the E-Tech and another 2k stuff -went on fine, just leave it for 30mins after mixing, but it was very brittle and flaked off. That's why I recommend hammerite now (brush on only) -I've had allsorts of abuse against this stuff, it's shrugged off blow torches before also. Just make sure what you put it on is very clean -wire brush / scotch brite etc then brake cleaner / ISA.

[Magic Beans]

I found exactly the same thing with the spray Hammerite. Not so good

[bazpro]

got to admit i always use hammerite smooth when i paint calipers and it works great.

[ponchcore]

I have painted numerous calipers with hammerite over the years, both on and off the car and never had a problem. Making sure they're clean is the key, and always brush it on

[ponchcore]

I have painted numerous calipers with hammerite over the years, both on and off the car and never had a problem. Making sure they're clean is the key, and always brush it on