I'm trying to paint them w/out removing them. I've sanded them, cleaned them with brake cleaner and dish soap... and all the paint does is run. I think they are pretty clean. I'm painting them yellow so I want them as bright as possible

Is it possible to do a good job with out taking everything apart? I'd considering taking the brakes apart but I'm not crazy about the idea. Is it hard to do? What does the project intale? I helped a buddy of mine change his front brake pads, but that was like 2 years ago. Is this doable? I don't want to screw my car up!!!

Thanks for your help!

Mike

 

Get a wire brush and brush the hell out of them using brake cleaner again. Then spray the paint in a can or container of some sort and brush it on. That's what I did with mine and they looked sweet after. Then get yourself some caliper decals and you'll be all fixed up.

 

Did you use a sponge brush when you did it? Also, the paint seems really thin..... it's 500 degree ceramic paint. Is this stuff okay or do I need something with a higher heat rating? Thanks for you help!

Mike

 

Did you even use primer? That's a MUST when painting on bare metal... almost when painting anything. I hope that helps you, I got mine Cardinal red with Black "CAMARO" decals on them.

 

You definitely need primer. Primer is a whole lot easier to clean off if you've got fisheyes from oil/grease that's still on there. At least take the pads off there. If you don't the whole job will look like crap once you put it back together. Use Acetone to help clean up the parts (use a CLEAN rag too). And tape off the brake line, and put newspaper around the spindle and suspension to protect from overspray.

Engine paint will work just fine for what you're doing. I've done it many times that way.

 

ne
Ditto, Engine paint here, no need to buy that B.S. caliper paint, who the hell would be fooled by that? Unless your calipers are going to see over 500 degrees Fahrenheit then you have no problem. Otherwise you could go uo tp header paint

 

I used a wire brush wheel on my drill, and went over the entire surface until it was bare metal, and sprayed them with Brake cleaner in the process. It is fairly easy to do while they are n the car. I used some VHT Red Caliper paint. I found that if you take a cardboard box, set it on it's side, open out both ends and slide one end over the area you are spraying, you can just crawl inside and paint. This way you protect from overspray, and wind/dirt. Just mask off everything you don't want painted. Good Luck.

 

When I did mine, I just took off the wheel, and used shopping bags to bag off everything else around the caliper. I used degreaser on the calipers to clean them. After they where clean, I sprayed them with 3-4 coats of engine enamel. I didn't strip the calipers down because I was lazy, but it's been about 4 months of driving and I just wash the calipers with soap and water maybe twice a week and they look just as good as the day I painted them.

Brian

 

yellow is the hardest color to get to cover well , if you can paint the calipers white first then yellow it will look great .

 

So use primer....any primer or a high temp primer? The stores around here suck and have little selection. I thought about painting them white first, and then yellow. I'll try the primer idea first and see how it goes!

Thanks,

Mike

 

Most primers will work, no need for hi temp primer. I've painted my calipers about 3 times, not because I had to, but because I change my mind about colors constantly. And never once had a problem with them.

Just make sure you primer or else your paint will fisheye. Primer is the main thing, never paint anything without primer!

Don't paint white then yellow, just primer, then yellow.

If you really want it to look good, get some sandable primer and after 3-4 coats, sand it will some 1200-1500 grit sandpaper to smooth it out, then paint yellow. It will take care of all the little imperfections in the cast and look flawless!

Follow up with 3-4 coats of clear afterwards, and if you want it to look even better, wetsand it with some 1500 grit and buff out!

I used DupliColor enamel based paints, they seem to apply better than laquer paints.

Have fun and take your time, quality takes time REMEMBER THAT!

 

 

I agree with the spraying in a container and brushing it on. I got a bunch of 49cent cheapo brushes and tossed them when done. One coat of primer and two coats of paint. I took the calipers off and removed the pads but didn't remove the brake lines which made it real easy. But all in all it's a week-end project and most of the time you're waiting for things to dry.

 

Thanks for all the help everyone! This is why I love this site! Hey ZPaul2Fresh8, where in Toledo do you live? I graduated from BG in 02 and live in Fremont now. Do you ever hit Norwalk or Milan (sp). Thanks again everyone!

Mike

 

I live on Anthony Wayne Trail, southern part of Toledo. 20 minutes north of BG.

Yes I do go to Milan and Norwalk Raceway, more Norwalk though. I plan on going as soon as it opens in the spring, maybe we should hit it together? I got some other F-bod friends that go also.