I noticed that already (58 plate!) my hubs are starting to show some rust. I was thinking about painting them and was just wondering if anyone else had? You can see them quite easily through the alloys so I'm thinking it could be worthwhile, providing its not too much of a mission. While I'm there I might do the calipers too, which I know will look wicked after seeing Tommo's!
Rusty hubs
- Thread starter ClareS
- Start date
It's not the hubs corroding it's the top hats of the disc/rotor. Most aftermarket come coated these days to prevent this unsighly mess so why not BMW???
I'd paint them black or silver - either works. My X5 are metal coated and new Z4 EBC's came black and both look just fine through the wheel
I'd paint them black or silver - either works. My X5 are metal coated and new Z4 EBC's came black and both look just fine through the wheel
Shipkiller
Lifer
I, like Wazzman painted (with HiTemp Paint) my tophats when I painted my calipers.
I did this about 9 months ago and it (the car) gets driven in the rain all the time. No rust.... and they clean up very easily.
A very easy and worthwhile maintenance task...
I did this about 9 months ago and it (the car) gets driven in the rain all the time. No rust.... and they clean up very easily.
A very easy and worthwhile maintenance task...
i did mine at the same time of the calipers, i did them in black/very dark grey colour. That mixed with the red calipers looks great. Just need to get those stupid 108 alloys refurbed as its the only thing letting it down at the minute.
I have some questions!
I've just been 'attempting' to do my calipers & hubs but have run into a few issues. My trolley jack just seems to be eating up the jacking point (it's not a great shape to fit on it!) so I was wondering if people use something specific to stop this happening. Do you use a BMW jack? Or is there a good trolley jack you can recommend? (my husbands only normally has to lift his Elise so is light weight) Also is there another good point for supporting the car other than the jacking point (just in case heaven forbid the jack fails!) I have some track stands but seem to be having issues squeezing them into the space available and also no other points down there look suitable for supporting the weight!
Also, what should the torque setting be on the wheel nuts when you tighten them? Can't seem to find that on a thread here...
:?
I've just been 'attempting' to do my calipers & hubs but have run into a few issues. My trolley jack just seems to be eating up the jacking point (it's not a great shape to fit on it!) so I was wondering if people use something specific to stop this happening. Do you use a BMW jack? Or is there a good trolley jack you can recommend? (my husbands only normally has to lift his Elise so is light weight) Also is there another good point for supporting the car other than the jacking point (just in case heaven forbid the jack fails!) I have some track stands but seem to be having issues squeezing them into the space available and also no other points down there look suitable for supporting the weight!
Also, what should the torque setting be on the wheel nuts when you tighten them? Can't seem to find that on a thread here...
:?
ClareS, have a read of these two, failing that send a PM to cj10jeeper to help out 
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=94392#p94392
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=46765#p46765
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=94392#p94392
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=46765#p46765
Steeevvvooo
Member
I’m thinking of doing this, as mine are quite frankly disgusting :roll: ! Couple of questions though…
1) Do you need to rub the hubs down first to remove the rust, or will the paint mask and seal this? (Hammerite/Smoothrite)
2) Do you need to remove the callipers to paint them, or have people used a thin brush and painted them in-situ
I know that doing both of these would obviously lead to a better result, but is it really necessary?
I’m a bit nervous about jacking the Z up. I need to get some axle stands, but I’m paranoid about dropping it!
1) Do you need to rub the hubs down first to remove the rust, or will the paint mask and seal this? (Hammerite/Smoothrite)
2) Do you need to remove the callipers to paint them, or have people used a thin brush and painted them in-situ
I know that doing both of these would obviously lead to a better result, but is it really necessary?
I’m a bit nervous about jacking the Z up. I need to get some axle stands, but I’m paranoid about dropping it!
You will always get a better result by cleaning off brake dust and scale. Paint cannot adhere properly to dust and scale.
You will get a better result by removing the calipers and painting then off the disc.
Better to use proper brake paint than Hammerite as it will take the potential high temperatures of calipers and discs
To each of the above there will be one or more that have good results by masking off, using different products, etc. but IMHO if it's worth doing then do it properly.
There are several threads on the subject if you search
No danger in jacking the car up if you use a trolley jack and axle stands either to place the car on if doing more than one wheel at a time or as security in case it drops - you are wise to take precautions
You will get a better result by removing the calipers and painting then off the disc.
Better to use proper brake paint than Hammerite as it will take the potential high temperatures of calipers and discs
To each of the above there will be one or more that have good results by masking off, using different products, etc. but IMHO if it's worth doing then do it properly.
There are several threads on the subject if you search
No danger in jacking the car up if you use a trolley jack and axle stands either to place the car on if doing more than one wheel at a time or as security in case it drops - you are wise to take precautions
Steeevvvooo
Member
Thanks. I might take a look this weekend. I’d be doing all this in the car park to my flat, so I have to have it all finished as quickly as possible, while obviously making sure I don’t bodge it! 
I might try to rub down as much of the rust as possible (as I said, they’re pretty bad at the moment), and take off the callipers.
I assume you need to take them off, disassemble properly, remove the pads etc. I might need to invest in a Haynes manual… :?
I might try to rub down as much of the rust as possible (as I said, they’re pretty bad at the moment), and take off the callipers.I assume you need to take them off, disassemble properly, remove the pads etc. I might need to invest in a Haynes manual… :?
IMHO taking the calipers off and the pads out is enough. So long as you don't hang them on the brake hose there is no need to further dismantle and risk having to bleed the brakes (not difficult, but another task if you're outside and tight on time. You can take the carrier off for 2 more bolts and clean/paint that in shelter
Youan then use a rotary wire brush on the hubs and caliper (wear mask) and clean most off. A couple of coats and it'll be dry enough in an hour to refit, or by the time yuo have done the second one if you use Halfords typre brake caliper paint.
Youan then use a rotary wire brush on the hubs and caliper (wear mask) and clean most off. A couple of coats and it'll be dry enough in an hour to refit, or by the time yuo have done the second one if you use Halfords typre brake caliper paint.
Steeevvvooo
Member
thanks! Looks like I mght be getting my hands dirty this weekend then... 
I've used Hammerite smooth silver on 2 Z4s, my X5 and two 3 series to paint the centre hubs and brake callipers, no problems with peeling or rust returning on any of them so far! It looks so much better than a load of rusty metal. Just wiped them over with brake cleaner to remove any grease/loose rust before painting.
