Painted Caliper options

angusmac100

angusmac100

Member
 Hertford
I’m keen to improve the look of my brake calipers and looking to paint them - I know not everyone’s cup of tea but each to their own.

There are two options I’m considering and wanted to get some thoughts of more knowledgeable members. 1) get a garage to remove front calipers and send them off to BCS brake refurb for an overhaul and paint. Gotta pay garage a couple of hours labour and refurb will cost £400 or 2) get a mobile alloy wheel service to paint all four calipers in situ for £400 - have checked its 2K paint and am told it’s sufficiently heat resistant

Am worried that mobile option doesn’t refurb brakes and that the finish might not be as good but is a lot cheaper
Prob with option 2 is only get front calipers done and quite a bit more expensive, but lifetime guarantee and finished product excellent.

Are there other options which I should consider?

Many thanks for your thoughts
 
I take it you aren’t any good with the spanner’s?
It’s not difficult to remove the wheels, clean up the callipers and paint them yourself using hammerite smooth and a fine brush.
 
I had mine repainted on my old 23i a few years ago, they were done on the car while it was on a lift. They lasted ok and I think cost me £100, only issue was driving home the car didn't feel right.. he had stuck the rear wheel on the front and the front on the rear on one side (staggered setup). The brakes on the 23i aren't the biggest, have you considered an upgrade, this could be a good time to do it?
 

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Chippie said:
I take it you aren’t any good with the spanner’s?
It’s not difficult to remove the wheels, clean up the callipers and paint them yourself using hammerite smooth and a fine brush.
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Have contemplated it but worried I’ll make a mess of it.
 
Zed Baron said:
I had mine repainted on my old 23i a few years ago, they were done on the car while it was on a lift. They lasted ok and I think cost me £100, only issue was driving home the car didn't feel right.. he had stuck the rear wheel on the front and the front on the rear on one side (staggered setup). The brakes on the 23i aren't the biggest, have you considered an upgrade, this could be a good time to do it?
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Also an option but was slightly put off by potential cost
 
Both options are viable..depends how fussy you are and how long you plan to keep the car…personally I’d do it properly…

I’m fortunate I can take the parts off but have used Bigredd another brake caliper overhaul a few times..

Doing it yourself is not for everyone ..
 
An alternative option is to upgrade to the 340mm Brembo calipers and paint them whilst off the car.

I plan to upgrade mine and do that.

For what its worth, it is very easy to paint them in situ, which is what I did for the factory calipers.
 
Seems pretty easy to paint them while on the car, but I've only done it while they were off. It was "enjoyable" replacing calipers myself, and refurbing and painting the new second hand ones, but I doubt I'd do it again - would probably do the painting and refurbing (if necessary) myself and pay someone else to fit them.

I would suggest that for £400-£600 you can probably buy bigger calipers, paint them yourself and pay someone else to fit them. Makes even more sense if the discs and pads will need replacing soonish.
 
B21 said:
Both options are viable..depends how fussy you are and how long you plan to keep the car…personally I’d do it properly…

I’m fortunate I can take the parts off but have used Bigredd another brake caliper overhaul a few times..

Doing it yourself is not for everyone ..
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True! Thanks
 
tiglon said:
Seems pretty easy to paint them while on the car, but I've only done it while they were off. It was "enjoyable" replacing calipers myself, and refurbing and painting the new second hand ones, but I doubt I'd do it again - would probably do the painting and refurbing (if necessary) myself and pay someone else to fit them.

I would suggest that for £400-£600 you can probably buy bigger calipers, paint them yourself and pay someone else to fit them. Makes even more sense if the discs and pads will need replacing soonish.
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Thanks, will bear than in mind
 
Hi I used Big Red in Worcester some time ago for a refurb and paint, did an excellent job . Still look good today
 

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Option 3 - ETech caliper paint from ebay for around £16.99 includes a spray on cleaner which removes a lot of residual brake dust etc. Wire brush to to remove any stubborn rust then some emery paper. Apply some heat resistant base coat, then the Etech colour of your choice, then top off with a heat resistant lacquer. Bobs your Uncle. The secret is to take your time and mask off properly before you paint. You don't need to remove the calipers unless you are really OCD and want to win a brake caliper concours competition.
Option 4 - As someone else previously suggested, brush on Hammerite with the aforementioned prep finished with clear lacquer to finish.
Silver keeps you OEM look, red is wannabe Porsche/Vauxhall Corsa, Yellow is wannabe Ferrari, Green is wannabe Lambo. :fuelfire:

Below is a previous effort by myself using ETech caliper paint. (Hubs freshened up as well).

IMG_6302.JPG
 
peeblezZ4 said:
Option 3 - ETech caliper paint from ebay for around £16.99 includes a spray on cleaner which removes a lot of residual brake dust etc. Wire brush to to remove any stubborn rust then some emery paper. Apply some heat resistant base coat, then the Etech colour of your choice, then top off with a heat resistant lacquer. Bobs your Uncle. The secret is to take your time and mask off properly before you paint. You don't need to remove the calipers unless you are really OCD and want to win a brake caliper concours competition.
Option 4 - As someone else previously suggested, brush on Hammerite with the aforementioned prep finished with clear lacquer to finish.
Silver keeps you OEM look, red is wannabe Porsche/Vauxhall Corsa, Yellow is wannabe Ferrari, Green is wannabe Lambo. :fuelfire:

Below is a previous effort by myself using ETech caliper paint. (Hubs freshened up as well).

View attachment 290322
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Sounds so do-able when you put it like that. Thanks for the info, really worth considering. Gonna have to overcome my DIY inertia first.
 
angusmac100 said:
Sounds so do-able when you put it like that. Thanks for the info, really worth considering. Gonna have to overcome my DIY inertia first.
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For no more than £30, you can give it a go. If for whatever reason you want to then revert back to Options 1 & 2, no big deal.
 
Never had any problems using £10 Plastikote spray can paint on calipers and disc hubs.
Current colour is gunmetal.
Hides dust not too cheap looking..
 
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