Painting the caliper?

[Micoa]

hey guys,
i just bought a can of RED caliper spray paint from the brand MOTOSPRAY

and i was wondering if it was necessary to remove the whole caliper off or would it be easier to spray while still attached to the car?

i would like some advice as i'm a complete noob

hehe

[The X]

Make sure you clean the calipers thoroughly, free of any brake dust and/or brake fluid.

Best would be to remove the caliper (if you know how to do that) and then you'd need to bleed the fluid to ensure you have brakes afterwards.

Else you can using masking tape (lots of it) to cover the disc and clips and spray paint or you can spray the paint into a small container and apply with a small art brush. I think Graham on these forums did the latter. Ensure you also cover your driveway/floor to avoid paint drips.

[aspir3]

If you are not good with cars do not remove the calipers as they will need bleeding afterwards.
Someone has painted them with a brush and they came up really good in the photos's. He sprayed the paint into the cup, first , then brushed.

[tadz0rz]

What some members have actually done when painting their calipers is just spraying the paint into a cup or something and brushing it on.

Once i get round to painting my calipers thats what im going to do. Ill make a video when i do it aswell, like always

Edit: DARN YOU ASPIR3!!! Beat me to it!!

[The X]

Here's Graham's attempt like I mentioned.http://clubcj.net/viewtopic.php?p=76282#76282

[The X]

Edit: DARN YOU ASPIR3!!! Beat me to it!!

Actually I beat ya both.

[Micoa]

seems like an easier option to spray into a cup than to remove it ,
what would i use to clean the brakes before i paint over it, do i need some special spray? or can i use something from home...

and what part should i not paint, because i see some reflective metal on my brakes, is it safe to paint that?

[aspir3]

me first.
Most automotive shops have break cleaner.
The easiest way is to pm me and organise to meet me and I can show how and what to use, as your brakes are the most important thing on your car. you must not get moisture or greese on the pads. Best to remove the pads and take the calipers awar from discs and support caliper as it will still be connected to hose.

[tadz0rz]

I was looking for the how to, not grahams thread

I think tomorrow is going to be a pretty boring day for me, might paint the calipers if ive got enough cash left in my wallet lol.

Ill be sure to make a video on how to do it aswell

[The X]

seems like an easier option to spray into a cup than to remove it ,
what would i use to clean the brakes before i paint over it, do i need some special spray? or can i use something from home...

and what part should i not paint, because i see some reflective metal on my brakes, is it safe to paint that?

Just buy yourself some brake caliper cleaner from your local Repco store. I bought some Motortech brand caliper cleaner y'day for $5.09. It's a can of 400g. Use a scourer sponge and wash down and let dry.

Painting my calipers is on my to do list (read, in the new year). I've bought some VHT red and also some VHT gloss to get the nice glossy look.

[aspir3]

If you paint your calipers, you should paint the edge of your dics at the same time.

[Micoa]

paint the edge? what do you mean by that?

[The X]

If you paint your calipers, you should paint the edge of your dics at the same time.

Sounds a bit ghey. Why won't you do yours? i think should put swirly pinstripes on your discs.
Seriously tho, what you mean the edge? Rim or ???

[aspir3]

On the edge of the disc! The disc's rust, due to type of cast steel they are made from. The faces are constantly cleaned by the pads giving a clean steel finish, but the edges or outside of the discs do not get touched by the pads.
I have not had a look at my Lancer as I have done enough Km's to rotate the tyres, but painting the disc's with a high temperature black paint stops them rusting. If you go to the effort to paint your calipers red, you may as well paint the disc's black to finish the job! Any paint on the disc faces will be removed on the first braking.

[tryg]

the chances of a rotor failing due to surface rust = zero...

seems like a lot of work for asthetics...

IMHO not necessary..

You should use brake cleaner, or a solvent based cleaner.. or even just good dish washing detergent followed by isopropol alcohol wipe...

painting by brush will leave it less glossy.. so its up to you what finish you are happy to have.

Good luck