I'm looking to paint my calipers (red) and wondered what particular brand or type offered optimum quality and shine. Also need to know if you removed them previous to prep or painted them installed. (Looking to buy online since no premium paints seem to be available at retail in Montreal).
Caliper paint
- Thread starter powerontap
- Start date
I have done both: removed and left on. The trick is to clean/prep the calipers as if you were going to perform surgery on them. It is a dirty and tedious job, but the rewards are, well, you already know. I also change out the brake pads to less dust (IMHO 95% less dust) using Axxis Deluxe Advanced street pads (formerly called Deluxe Plus). I always get my brake pads etc. from Dave at Zeckhausen. To clean and prep I use a combination of chemicals and Scotchbrite pads. Chemicals include anything to get the calipers ready to be coated, i.e. acetone etc. I use a right angled die grinder with 2" Scotchbrite discs to take it down to metal. I also used a "sanding" disc to smooth out only the face of the caliper. The rest of its surface I left dimpled. Now comes the bitch part of the project: coating. G2 is the product I believe is the best out there for hand coating. But the product is unforgiving. Get more than a few flat artist brushes for the job 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 1" width and get at least 2 each. Once you have all the calipers ready to be coated plan on doing one at a time with a couple thin coats in mind. A G2 kit is ample for the entire 4 caliper project. This stuff is sold on eBay (your best source) for $35~40US. Do a rear caliper first. They are smaller and you could use it to find your rhythm with this product. Foliatec is another product but it has lower temperature properties and you get a lot less product from them I would recommend them only if there is a world shortage of G2. While you are there I will also suggest getting some Wheel Mates Wheel Mates, they will improve the quality of your life if you change wheels at least once per year. One of the most inexpensive improvement one can make IMO. If you decide to remove the calipers from the brake lines you may want to consider replacing the lines with stainless steel ones. Caliper appliques are available on eBay as well. You missed the chromed caliper springs I sold here recently. But I'm sure if you wanted to get them polished/chromed there are sources in your area.
Here is a pic of one of my calipers finished (the caliper decals are brushed aluminum mylar):
This will take an entire weekend with all the labor and cure time. Everytime I have done this I hate it but I am always glad I did it.
Good luck.
Here is a pic of one of my calipers finished (the caliper decals are brushed aluminum mylar):
This will take an entire weekend with all the labor and cure time. Everytime I have done this I hate it but I am always glad I did it.
Good luck.
Thanks 20ducks, much appreciated! And yes, I was going to change for those brake pads also...bye bye dust on those chrome mags!!! 
If there is any project on this car (or any car for that matter) that deserves the term "labor of love", this is it.
I have purchased G2 on eBay from an outfit called hubcapsplus or something close. They ship out of a suburb of Chicago, unlike many products that seem to always ship from the farthest point.
Cheers,
Greg
I have purchased G2 on eBay from an outfit called hubcapsplus or something close. They ship out of a suburb of Chicago, unlike many products that seem to always ship from the farthest point.
Cheers,
Greg
Does anyone know of a shop in Southern California that will paint the calipers for me? $$$
I'm not having much luck recruiting the hubby to do it, and taking the wheels off is out of my league.
Also, where would I be able to get the chrome caliper clips?
Thanks!
I'm not having much luck recruiting the hubby to do it, and taking the wheels off is out of my league.
Also, where would I be able to get the chrome caliper clips?
Thanks!
I have used 2 different brands. One from TireRack I think it was G2. I do not have the box anymore. I used that product on my Mercedes. I got another product by Dupli-Color at a local auto store. I think it is available at a lot of auto parts stores. It was about half the price of the G2 product and the kit was about the same and the results looked the same to me. I took the calipers off to paint them, but it is a little more difficult and I do not know I would do it that way again.
The kit comes with paint, mixing stick, masking tape, cleaner fluid, and a small brush. I purchased an extra can of brake part cleaner. There was plenty of paint for 4 calipers and I put 3 coats on each caliper. As 20ducks said cleaning is the big thing and even though I had rubber gloves on, my hands hurt still. One other thing I found helpful was my air compressor and air nozzle. It made the cleaning of parts easier. I guess it was worth all the effort, but it is not a bit faster nor do the brakes work any better, but the zooomzooom is there and I guess that is important. Next mod for me is a Honda Civic muffler, so then not only will I look fast I will sound fast as well. Bet that scares all the racers around my parts.
The kit comes with paint, mixing stick, masking tape, cleaner fluid, and a small brush. I purchased an extra can of brake part cleaner. There was plenty of paint for 4 calipers and I put 3 coats on each caliper. As 20ducks said cleaning is the big thing and even though I had rubber gloves on, my hands hurt still. One other thing I found helpful was my air compressor and air nozzle. It made the cleaning of parts easier. I guess it was worth all the effort, but it is not a bit faster nor do the brakes work any better, but the zooomzooom is there and I guess that is important. Next mod for me is a Honda Civic muffler, so then not only will I look fast I will sound fast as well. Bet that scares all the racers around my parts.
