I found a shop that said they'll powdercoat my calipers. They said it'll cost around 150-160. Does this price sound ok, or how much does something like this cost? Thanks in advance.

Shawn

 

A local shop? Or over the net? That price seems just OK. A little high if it's a local shop and does not need to be shipped. Why not just buy a can of high temp paint and clear coat from home depot and spray them?

 

It's a local shop. I did the high temp paint and clear coat thing last year. It lasted about a year. I just don't want to keep on doing them every year. The paint is started to chip. I thought if they were powdercoated, then they would be more like the vette calipers, and last longer.

 

That sounds really high. I've heard of guys getting their rims done for like $75 each.

 

That's about right. $300 for the set is a pretty decent price. The materials aren't exactly cheap, but for a shop, most of that price is from "labor". As if it is really hard or something. That being said, you can see how even smaller parts will only cost slightly less then larger pieces. Like I said, $150 is a little high.

 

Ask them to do it with a color they use a LOT! I know a guy who will do free powder coating for anything black because he is constantly doing black because of one the companies he does business with. Chances are if it's a color they use a lot they wont charge you as much.

 

Is that price for all four calipers? Is so, that is an OK price. If that's for just two it's HIGH. Unless they are taking the calipers apart and putting them back together that is. Most of the cost is in labor and prep. The powder costs less than $2/pound and four calipers would use much less than a pound. Like was said, if you aren't in a rush and can wait until they are doing that same color for another job it should be cheaper. A color change takes a fair amount of time and will cost you $$. Where I work if someone wants something done as cheap as possible that means waiting for upto a month until there are a few jobs of the same color. Ask them what colors they use often and see if one of those is good for you.
Another option for you is to buy G2 Caliper Paint. I used it about 3 years ago before I started coating and it looks just as good today as it did then. No fading, chipping,etc..and it's much cheaper than powder coating. Also, there is no need to take the calipers apart or even off of the car. It's like $40 for the two part system and can be had at Eastwood or cheaper on Ebay.
If you're dead set on powder then I suggest checking around for a better price. If you're taking just the bare calipers to the shop it shouldn't be more than $50 each.
That's just my .02

 

Never heard of this system before, can you give me some insight? I seen them on Ebay for like $32. And you don't even have to take them off the car?!?!!?!? I would think it would be much easy to paint and look much better in the end if you removed them. And you brush it on? Does it have a clear coat of some kind?

 

It is a brush on application. You can take them off of the car if you'd like. It would be easier to paint them that way but then add the task of bleeding all of the brakes and I decided to paint them on the car. Hang them from a coat hanger so the brake lines are stressed. The kit comes w/ a can of brake cleaner or something like that. I picked up a few extra cans since I wanted them perfectly clean before I painted them. Take a wire brush and the cleaner and go to work. The cleaning process is not a place to take short cuts since it will impact the final product. Once it's free of grease, oil and dirt then you tape off the bleeder valve and that sort of thing. Also, it's best to take out the pads so you can get everywhere. Once it's all taped off and ready you then mix the two parts of the kit. It's a two part expoxy and no clear coat is needed. The paint has a limited life once it's mixed. I "think" it's like 3 hours. Start by painting one caliper and work your way around the car. It doesn't seem like they give you much paint but there is plenty. Once you have one coat on all of the calipers go back to the first one and start putting on a second coat. It will make the color more true w/ the second coat. It is a self-leveling paint so just don't have any runs and you'll be fine. I left my car sit for 2 days to ensure it was dry. Drying time will vary w/ conditions. I have pics, not great ones though, on my homepage. If I were to do it again on another set I would likely use it v. powder coating since w/ the coating you need to tear the caliper down to a bare casting for the cure.
Hope that helps...