Are all calipers painted?

[pvr]

I noticed that my calipers are black painted. Was that an 07 addition as I am sure that the 06 model from which I replaced the brake pads did not have painted calipers

 

[unionjack]

Mine are black.

 

[Color]

Black here on my 2006.


But I've been considering painting them red. Think it would look good.

 

[inTgr8r]

+1 here on my '06

 

[pvr]

Ok ... I take it they are all painted then :lol:

 

[Vroomer]

Mine are 03 vintage and are "brake dust" colored. :lol:

Oh wait.. these are the ///M cars.. :roll: :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah my non M 2003 Z4 comes with non painted and rusted to hell calipers! Looks hideous and every time I stop at the lights I see people looking at the wheels. I bet they're thinking "Geez expensive BMW sports car and the brakes are rusted like hell...Doesn't look good

 

[zednik]

My '06 3.0i had silver painted calipers. I painted them red.

 

[Z4play]

Yeah my non M 2003 Z4 comes with non painted and rusted to hell calipers! Looks hideous and every time I stop at the lights I see people looking at the wheels. I bet they're thinking "Geez expensive BMW sports car and the brakes are rusted like hell...Doesn't look good

My 03 calipers are in a little nicer shape.
You need to spend some quality time with your Z, and make your calipers look like this.

 

[Anonymous]

Z4Play that looks nice!
I'm not very technically minded when it comes to cars so the idea of taking the calipers off to paint them and then putting them back on frightens me a little as I know if I stuff it up it could mean me and the Zed hurdling towards a concrete wall!

Any tips on how to do this? I've seen the BMW decals on ebay...it's the painting bit I'm concerned about..

 

[flyboyaj]

Dito on drzed's comment above. Plus, what kind of paint should I get?

 

[GaryD]

You don't have to take them apart but it makes painting them easier and the job will come out better. I recommend this paint:
http://64.225.94.154/ShopSite/page72.html
It is epoxy based. You mix in a hardener and then you have about 3 or 4 hours to work with it before it starts to set up. It comes out really glossy.

 

[zednik]

Unless you are running your car at high speed track events the epoxy based paints are not needed. The so called "caliper paint" that is often priced around $40 is a total waste of money. I think the most important thing is to get the calipers as clean and degreased as possible before you paint. I painted mine with a can of red latex enamel that cost $3 at Home Depot.

 

[carl]

Hammerite do high-temperature paint for barbecues, etc. Might only be black though.

 

[Z4play]

A person could also use a brush to apply the paint. Not much masking, and you wouldn't have to take the calipers apart. I used a brush for touch-ups. When I do mine again, I will just use a brush. The decals can be purchased here. http://www.xenonmods.com/ Excellent company do deal with.

 

[GP20]

'03 - not painted
'04~'05 - painted silver
'06~-'07 Z4M's - painted black

Not sure about the facelifted regular Z4's.

 

[Kdawg]

Where did you get the chrome/polished caliper clips? My 2005 clips are looking rusty.

 

[Z4play]

Kdawg

I took my existing clips to a plating shop and had them chrome plated.