As I am typing this, I can tell this is a stupid question. But I'm going to ask it anyways.

I am putting LS1 front brakes and LT1 rear brakes on my '91 Camaro. I'm also doing 12" rotors and 17" SS/ZR1 wheels, so the brakes will be a lot more visible now. I've always had steel front calipers and rear drums, so I'm a little out of my element.

The front calipers are brand new AC Delco, and the rears are new/reman AC Delco. All are cast aluminum. I like the plain look of aluminum, but really want them to stay that way. Is it worth painting them with a gray/silver caliper paint? I'm sure they will be easier to keep clean, etc. but I don't want to spend any time/money doing it if it is a waste of time. I know aluminum doesn't rust, but it corrodes. I'm just not sure how that impacts the look of the calipers year after year. Since they are new, now's the time to do it - IF I am going to do it at all. Can anyone offer any expertise on this? Thanks.

 

Here's a photo of my 94 Formula rear wheel taken a few months ago, just before I sold it. The caliper peaking through the wheel spokes is the original aluminum caliper that was on the car when I bought it brand new 27-1/2 years ago. The car has sat outside for about the last 3 years. No sign of corrosion. The rotor is a Baer aftermarket that has been on the car for about 22 years. It has a “zinc-washed” finish that has prevented corrosion of all surfaces except the swept surface.

Would that appearance meet your needs? You be the judge.

 

Aluminum doesn’t corrode. It oxidizes.

Corrosion is the gradual destruction of a material through oxidization. This incudes rust for ferrous metals.

However, oxidization of aluminum is not destructive. Unlike rust, aluminum oxide is actually stronger than raw aluminum. This means that instead of leading to the eventual breakdown of the material, it forms a protective layer around the rest of the piece.

You can paint it if you want, but doing so would be purely for aesthetics.