SycoCell121

I'm toying with the idea of painting my 08' Base TL calipers. Looking for fairly inexpensive things to play around with. Also considering a CAI but that's a different story. Questions:

Is it worth it? I know these calipers aren't quite like the "big and sexy" brembos. I don't want to have a rice rocket looking car. Just something to add a little pizzaz.

Suggestions on colors? I have a Red paint job.

I was told the Duplicolor kit works pretty well...?

Thanks guys.

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

IMO i wouldn't paint your stock calipers unless you have brembos.

why accentuate and draw more attention to something that doesn't look good to begin with?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

you'll look like a rice rocket without the Brembo Calipers which your car doesnt have....

paint them black to help them hide!!

SycoCell121

Both of those were basically my thought. I did however figure that if I think it looks stupid, I'll just paint them back silver. I figure it's a super cheap thing to do to kill a day of bordem..

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

yeah paint them black to hide them.

justin had it right.

SycoCell121

Too bad my car is red - I don't think that will help.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the exterior of the car has nothing to do with hiding the brake caliper!
you can paint it silver/black so that it wont stand out as much

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

black will still help hide them.

better than the scratch off silver/rust coloration they are now.

usdmJON

Save up for something new.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

riveting piece of advice, chap.

usdmJON

It's advice the majority of the tuners here can use.
I have found it is better to do things right the first time.

Unless the OP does a real good professional job, they'll deteriorate and look worse over time.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Syco, you can also go on Ebay and get Brembo brake covers for all 4 brakes. They come in many different colors.

96SC4

Black or RDX caliper covers

Color is for the brembos

usdmJON

...as well as the myriad of other bbk companies. There is a company or two for every color you can think of.
Project U ad Wilwood are at the top of my list if I dont go with a TL or RLX set up.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

watch for brake bias when using another car's calipers.
doing simple math proved that the RL BBK's upset the TL's brake bias significantly. this means it would take longer to stop with the same pedal travel all the while looking "cool"

aftermarket companies are a little better at keeping brake bias the same.
however; not all are created equal and one would need to do solid research before taking the plunge on a BBK kit.
for the TL's, the Rotora kit wasnt made with brake biased in mind and stopped longer than the 5at's 2pot caliper.
however; the stoptech BBK kit from XLR8 is spot on!

Again, Jon...Solid advice.

ZFRED10

Definitely don't paint them if they're not brembos. Black would be the only option I would agree with.

sauceja

iTrader: (2)

I say paint them. Go wild with it.

G2 makes some good colors for up to 100 per kit depends on how custom you go.

1 kit would be enough to paint all 4 corners plus some if you get an aerosol kit to spray it on with.

If you go black just clean them up, do a couple coats silver rustoleum primer and paint them with high temp black. Let cure for a solid day.

GKinColo08TL

OK, I was thinking of painting mine, not now. Now I'm thinking of the Brembo covers from Ebay...am I going to look stupid with them on my base TL?

S41N7

Not at all, you get the styling cues of big brakes without all the dust!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

I have these Brembo covers on my rear brakes (the Type S only have front Brembos).

Red89gt

I just cleaned up my calipers and then shot them with rattle can black BBQ paint. Held up great so far for last 3 months.
At the same time I pulled all 4 rotors and wire wheeled the hat portion and painted with gray caliper paint. Looks oem new instead of rusty. This paint is also holding up great.