Painting Brake Calipers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 06:36 PM
  #1  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
Painting Brake Calipers

What is the easiest way to paint stock brake calipers?
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 08:11 PM
  #2  
TLAdvanced's Avatar
The Kinetics of Bleu
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 5
From: Ocala, Fl
the easiest way is to brush the paint on with G2 caliper paint or Duplicolor.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 08:12 PM
  #3  
bpham's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 1
my 6spd ones are fading / chipping. probably gonna repaint them white to match the car. i know theyll get dirty fast though haha. i remember seeing a guide how to do it. it was posted around here. i'll have to search
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 09:13 PM
  #4  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
look in the DIY-garage section for details
10 dollar kit from Duplicolor, and buy a 2 buck pack of extra 1 inch wide foam brushes
The paint dries fast and the brushes are throw away items- use a new one for each coat of paint
cleaning the grease off and other prep is the key to a good job
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 01:35 AM
  #5  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
Okay doesnt sound too hard, what kind of cleaning should be done before?

Also, I plan on painting my stock rims black, and was wondering if painting my calipers blue would look good? Otherwise I will do red, but I feel like everyone does that. And I would paint the acura center cap "A" blue too.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 02:55 AM
  #6  
bzyrice's Avatar
Drifting
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 21
Click my link in my sig to see how I did mine..
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 08:55 AM
  #7  
LoveMyTL-S's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,999
Likes: 362
From: St. Cloud, FL
Here are the G2 colors available:

http://g2usa.com/colors.shtml
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 09:24 AM
  #8  
golfjwr's Avatar
Soon I will have
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 6
From: Charlotte, NC
This should tell you everyting you need to know about painting the calipers:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/d-097-diy-painting-factory-brembos-red-white-acura-logo-640092/
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 10:31 AM
  #9  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
the $10 duplicolor kit has a can of spray cleaner, masking tape, paint and a single foam brush- so get a bag of extra brushes $2

I prefer black calipers and brackets--unless they are real brembos or wilwoods and you want to draw attention to the brakes
If the crummy single piston stock caliper--hide it by painting black
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 10:35 AM
  #10  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
painting the rims is far more difficult than the calipers~
those will need to be well sanded and properly sprayed a few coats, baked, clear coated etc. for it to look good and last

brake calipers are mostly hidden when the wheel is on, and easily touched up
For those who are going to ziner meets- no one has even gotten close enough to the wheel to see any imperfection in the caliper paint- all they say is `hmmm slotted rotors-nice,,,` are those legend dual piston calipers? (a gen2 mod only-sorry 3s)
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 12:26 PM
  #11  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
Thanks for all the help, and yes I know the rims are harder, but I know how to do those.

So where can I find the duplicolor caliper kit at? Walmart?
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 12:32 PM
  #12  
LoveMyTL-S's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,999
Likes: 362
From: St. Cloud, FL
I know Walmart, Autozone and Pepboys has the Duplicolor kits.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 01:22 PM
  #13  
gatrhumpy's Avatar
Chapter Leader
(Northeast Florida)
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 35,532
Likes: 1,654
If painting calipers, you need to get rid of the junk that is on the surface, and the best way to do it is to use multiple bits and sanding drums on a Dremel. Yes, you have to spend about 30 minutes on each caliper, but the up-front work is worth it. If you don't sand off the gunk and go with clean metal, the rust and all will eat through the paint and it will look like garbage in a short time (1-2 years).

Spend the time to Dremel and smooth out each caliper, clean it, and then paint it. Post pics!
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 01:38 PM
  #14  
Red Voodoo's Avatar
Area on my XM
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 13
From: Sacramento, CA
Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
If the crummy single piston stock caliper--hide it by painting black


Red, or yellow, or _____ (fill in blank due to preference) will look better than the OE "silver" color. Black is blah.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 02:18 PM
  #15  
bzyrice's Avatar
Drifting
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 21
I just used sand paper, a scotch pad, and brake cleaner to prep the surface of mine.. just like anything you paint.. the better the prep, the better the paint job..

Here is how mine turned out.

Reply
Old Jun 24, 2009 | 03:59 PM
  #16  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
the duplicolor kit has a can of what appears to be brake cleaner type stuff- it dissolves the grease off nicely
You can paint from there but I prefer to hit surface area as possible with a wire wheel in the cordless drill, just to rough the surface, get any corners and edges clean
Respray cleaner - mask and paint
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 12:39 AM
  #17  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
What needs to be masked off when painting with a foam brush?
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 01:19 AM
  #18  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
the visable portion of the outer brake pads back-- there is supposed to be some caliper grease there, not paint that might stick a pad to a finger and make it not work
and
the connector of brake line to caliper and the bleeder nipple-dont want paint on its threads
wrap in tape just to be safe

the box has pictures and directions anyone can follow
try their website for full color choices and product info
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 01:20 AM
  #19  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
gen2 diy section has a few paint threads- plus gen3s
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 12:29 PM
  #20  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
Okay everything sounds good. Since I'm planning to paint my stocks black, I thought why not paint my calipers at the same time. But I was deciding between red or blue.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 12:37 PM
  #21  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
black out everything including the arm that is vertical behind the tire
the caliper brackets- caliper itself...
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 04:48 PM
  #22  
pearlite TL's Avatar
Pro
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: ATL
get them powder coated!
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2009 | 08:10 PM
  #23  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
powder coating is awesome - but in this case the op said- whats the EASIEST way
that would be the foam brush method with duplicolor kit
Least amount of masking and potential to screw it up
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2009 | 12:31 AM
  #24  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
powder coating is awesome - but in this case the op said- whats the EASIEST way
that would be the foam brush method with duplicolor kit
Least amount of masking and potential to screw it up
Yeah exactly. The brake calipers will barely be seen anyways so im not looking for the best way, just the easiest.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2009 | 12:32 AM
  #25  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
Also, should I put a clearcoat on over the color or no?
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2009 | 12:57 AM
  #26  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
if you can find engine paint clear coat- thats high temp and ok to use
Otherwise just leave them and touch up as needed
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2009 | 11:36 PM
  #27  
boltzus's Avatar
10th Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I've tried several different methods on several different cars and the only good quality product is the G2 paint. Well worth the $$, because when you prep and paint them right you won't have to do it again next year
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2009 | 11:45 PM
  #28  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
no doubt its a good product and used by many here, AND the OP was asking for the easist method for a basic clean look

So what if you have to touch up the paint once a year- you should have the wheels off to flush the brake fluid anyway, thats a perfect time to paint and put some fresh synthetic car wax on the rims to help brake dust slide off
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2009 | 03:35 PM
  #29  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
Yeah i dont mind if i have to touch it up every once in a while.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2009 | 07:18 AM
  #30  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
you're not done yet?!
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2009 | 12:14 PM
  #31  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
you're not done yet?!
I've been getting feedback, and making sure I know the right way to do everything first.

I don't want to mess up anything.
Probably doing it sometime this week
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2009 | 07:56 PM
  #32  
bzyrice's Avatar
Drifting
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 21
its easy just time consuming.. mine took 2 days because I wanted to make sure the pain dried.. did you click on all the links we gave you for DIY?
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2009 | 01:48 PM
  #33  
Jamal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: COLLEGE STATION, TX
its easy just time consuming.. mine took 2 days because I wanted to make sure the pain dried.. did you click on all the links we gave you for DIY?
Yeah thanks I checked them out!
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2009 | 04:38 PM
  #34  
01tl4tl's Avatar
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
2 days-!
duplicolor- as fast as you can take off the wheels and put them back on
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2009 | 07:52 AM
  #35  
LoveMyTL-S's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,999
Likes: 362
From: St. Cloud, FL
Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
2 days-!
duplicolor- as fast as you can take off the wheels and put them back on
True. The Duplicolor dries so fast. You can literally start the next coat on the other end of the caliper right after the first coat. What I did was paint one caliper, go to the next and all the way around and start all over on the first one. By the time you get back to the first caliper is was very dry and ready for the next coat. Did that for three coats. Slap the wheels back on and off I went.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2009 | 07:59 AM
  #36  
bzyrice's Avatar
Drifting
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
2 days-!
duplicolor- as fast as you can take off the wheels and put them back on
well, see I had to put two different color paints on mine. I wanted the letters to be red and the caliper to be gold. SO, I waited over night after I painted the red before applying the gold. I really didnt want to have the gold and red mixing by accident .. I WOULDVE BEEN PISSED if I had to redo them!
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2009 | 08:04 AM
  #37  
LoveMyTL-S's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,999
Likes: 362
From: St. Cloud, FL
Awwwww, the ACURA lettering. Yea, I guess I would have waited a little bit on that also. Better to be safe. How did they turn out? Post pics.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2009 | 08:40 AM
  #38  
bzyrice's Avatar
Drifting
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by LoveMyTL-S
Awwwww, the ACURA lettering. Yea, I guess I would have waited a little bit on that also. Better to be safe. How did they turn out? Post pics.
I posted a pic in an earlier post in this thread.. but I will post it here again haha.. sanded the calipers down and removed the Acura an replaced it with Brembo, since they are in fact brembos.. I went with the nissan Gold with red lettering cuz I fell in love with it when I saw it in real life! (More pics can be found in my Sig)

Reply
Old Jul 1, 2009 | 08:57 AM
  #39  
t0talacuratl's Avatar
Green Machine
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 42
From: Chesapeake, Va
I would like to repaint my calibers black. Anyone know where I can get the "ACURA" lettering stickers from? I want it to look as stock as possible.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 09:14 AM
  #40  
Waltah's Avatar
Burning Brakes
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 14
From: conus
excellent write up and results! love the gold
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:16 AM.