POLL: brake caliper colour for my Z4 (updated April '12)

Poll Poll Help me decide on brake caliper colour!

  • Black caliper, white decals

    Votes: 17 25.0%

  • Black caliper, yellow decals

    Votes: 2 2.9%

  • Yellow caliper, black decals

    Votes: 14 20.6%

  • Forget about the decals and stop being a chav

    Votes: 35 51.5%
  • Total voters
    68
Have seen Dreamer's (black and white decals) in person and they looked good... think they'd been on for a while too! Yellow (gold) would be nice with decent callipers, but although I hadn't really thought about it until someone else mentioned it, the BMW callipers just don't look nice... if I had a big brake kit I'd probably go with red... gold with yours... but with the stock items, black.

(I really want a BBK upgrade - for looks and stopping power)
 
While you're at it, with the wheels off, don't forget to paint the rotor hats. A high temp paint is recommended. Silver always looks good. I use a Wurth zinc primer, usually used as a base coat when repainting wheels. It is tough, can withstand high temps and leaves a dull grey finish that looks good, contrasting with alloy wheels and my silver calipers. When the wheels are off, clean off the rotor hat (I use brake cleaner) and spray. Don't worry about getting paint on the rotor itself, that will wipe away the first time you apply the brakes.
 
Good point trex. Now that ive fitted the yellowstuffs and grooved discs thats something i badly need to do as the rust look badly lets its all down. And before anyone asks why im not out in the sun driving around im laid up after an op. YOU BASTAR..... :D
 
I have just taken delivery from ebay of these white decals and my paint arrives tomorrow so guess what I am doing at the weekend! :D

One question... I think I know the answer but here goes

They have sent me 9 decals in total, 3 different sizes? I like most people I know have 4 calipers.....

Am I supposed to put bigger decals on the rear?

So just to explain abit better, I have 9 decals in total. 3 are the same size, 3 abit bigger and 3 abit bigger than that (if that makes sense) I personally love Dreamers calipers obviously!
 
If it's the same advert I remember (ebay) then I understood it as them giving you the option to f**k up once, i.e. why they give you 3 rather than 2 of each size. They give you 3 different sizes so that you can use the ones that best suit your calipers.

The front calipers on a Z4 are bigger than the rears (as most cars) so I'd imagine just trial and error to find the one that fits best.


Quick Q: what's best to use for cleaning up calipers before painting?
 
a11y said:
Quick Q: what's best to use for cleaning up calipers before painting?
Click to expand...

The kits I had came with a can of caliper cleaner, used that and a stiff brush.

Where I upgraded I stripped them right back to the metal as they weren't in great nick, but on the car the above is fine.
 
Ah, I'm just planning on using the leftover black Hammerite smooth I've got leftover. I'll just try my mountain-bike degreaser stuff (Muc-Off) as it's safe for seals, etc. I've got some Gunk degreaser but figured it might be a bit aggressive.
 
As good a thing as any... otherwise Halfords sell the can of caliper cleaner, how much better it would be (if at all), I don't know.
 
Hoping to have my calipers done before the Skye weekend but need to reclaim the garage first: currently filled (completely) with the campervan in the process of paint rectification and waxing!
 
Black with no decals. And a woman's opinion is all you need ;)
 
***UPDATE***

It was a long time coming, but after 3+ years into ownership and 12+ months since creating this poll, I finally got around to painting my brake calipers :oops:

In true internet forum style, I created the poll to gauge general opinion then went and totally ignored all your thoughts by going with by far the least popular answer in the poll! But I'm happy with the results: done using black smooth Hammerite painted on with a brush, with heat-resistant vinyl decals purchased from ebay...











And a final pic which I hope explains why I chose the decal colour that I did: I wanted to tie into the theme I've got inside the car...
 
navid.v said:
love the last photo, very good and clever idea :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
If I'd been even cleverer I'd have lowered the window glass for a clearer shot - something to remember for next time :thumbsup:
 
Looks great Ally (i would say that)

Did you do the rears to? I only used the decals on the fronts as i thought the rears were a bit small to bring attention to.

Mine had a few coats of lacquer over them and are still there 2years on.
 
a11y said:
In true internet forum style, I created the poll to gauge general opinion then went and totally ignored all your thoughts by going with by far the least popular answer in the poll!
Click to expand...

well done that man!! :thumbsup:
I like the thinking, If its the most popular, then yawn away, because its gonna be like all the others on here.

Did you expect an answer other than plain silver, or plain black, from this forum? :rofl:
Only certain things are allowed which are:,
AP brakes (Then red is OK)
CSL wheels
Simota air intake
Supersprint exhaust.

All else shall be frowned upon :rofl:
Clone cars rule :poke:
 
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