# Painting Brake Calipers **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [May 16, 2007, 12:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367 "2007-05-16T00:34:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GA2002GT2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5ac83/32.png) [@GA2002GT2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GA2002GT2)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 12:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/1 "2007-05-16T00:34:41Z")
So I wanted to paint the front calipers and rear drums on my Slowbalt. I painted them once red (cars black) and I use high temp paint but they are really dirty (I tryed cleaning then many times) and some of the paint is chiping away. Other then powter coating them is there any other way to paint them. Thanks for the help. ---
**Author:** ![articzap](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/articzap/32/7361_2.png) [@articzap](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/articzap)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/2 "2007-05-16T01:31:14Z")
I’m not sure of any other way. Cobalt calipers actually polish up if your looking for that look. ---
**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/3 "2007-05-16T02:20:49Z")
[quote=“GA2002GT2"”] So I wanted to paint the front calipers and rear drums on my Slowbalt. I painted them once red (cars black) and I use high temp paint but they are really dirty (I tryed cleaning then many times) and some of the paint is chiping away. Other then powter coating them is there any other way to paint them. Thanks for the help. [/quote] To make it last, PC’ing is your best bet. ---
**Author:** ![onefst240](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onefst240/32/7224_2.png) [@onefst240](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/onefst240)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 4:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/4 "2007-05-16T04:53:48Z")
Just buy the red caliper paint. My buddy used it on his sentra and it looks great. No chips no dullness. ---
**Author:** ![97FormulaWS-6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/97formulaws-6/32/7384_2.png) [@97FormulaWS-6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/97FormulaWS-6)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 5:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/5 "2007-05-16T05:10:10Z")
Gotta get them super clean, any residue, especially brake fluid or grease will not allow the paint to stick. I did my firebird ones with normal high-temp paint and it still looks great expect for where I leaked brake fluid on them when I took the calipers off. But then again, I disassembled my calipers, parts washed them, masked them, sandblasted them, then primer/painted them, then reassembled. A longer process, but the “right” process. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_B](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_b/32/7490_2.png) [@Big\_B](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Big_B)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 6:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/6 "2007-05-16T06:31:36Z")
[quote=“97FormulaWS-6,post:5,topic:29367"”] Gotta get them super clean, any residue, especially brake fluid or grease will not allow the paint to stick. I did my firebird ones with normal high-temp paint and it still looks great expect for where I leaked brake fluid on them when I took the calipers off. But then again, I disassembled my calipers, parts washed them, masked them, sandblasted them, then primer/painted them, then reassembled. A longer process, but the “right” process. [/quote] 😃 thats the correct way ---
**Author:** ![EvilJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a5b964/32.png) [@EvilJay](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EvilJay)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 6:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/7 "2007-05-16T06:32:42Z")
[quote=“Big B,post:6,topic:29367"”] 😃 thats the correct way [/quote] ^^^^^ Big B, go to your room. \<-------Custom title will explain why I have the power to send you there. ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 6:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/8 "2007-05-16T06:39:28Z")
buy new calipers and drums, paint them, other than that with out sandblasting them you don’t really have much to do ---
**Author:** ![eMKay](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/emkay/32/7428_2.png) [@eMKay](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/eMKay)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 6:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/9 "2007-05-16T06:52:44Z")
Aren’t Cobalt calipers aluminum? If so you need to etch them down to bare alumimum for the paint to stick, sand blasting or sanding the surface, then etching primer designed for aluminum, then paint. I think painted stock calipers look stupid, but that’s just me. If they were aluminum I would polish them, then clear coat them. ---
**Author:** ![FiftyCheven](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fiftycheven/32/4950_2.png) [@FiftyCheven](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/FiftyCheven)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 7:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/10 "2007-05-16T07:47:41Z")
cleaning is key… I did mine, and used the brush on caliper paint kit which came with a cleaner/prep. Just sprayed mine down with the cleaner, wiped and painted. the paint is super thick, and dries quick. been like that for 2 years now, and any dirt/dust just wipes right off. still look like the day i did them. ---
**Author:** ![Violator](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/violator/32/7278_2.png) [@Violator](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Violator)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 7:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/11 "2007-05-16T07:48:15Z")
This paint works well. [http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLUE-G2-BRAKE-CALIPER-PAINT-EPOXY-STYLE-FREE-SHIPPING\_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33563QQihZ017QQitemZ270120900242QQrdZ1](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLUE-G2-BRAKE-CALIPER-PAINT-EPOXY-STYLE-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33563QQihZ017QQitemZ270120900242QQrdZ1) Its a 2 part epoxy mix and cures chemically. Its rather thick so it fills and smooths the pitted finish of castings. It can cure a bit fast so you have to be prepared and work quickly. As it cures it thickens and stops wanting to spread smoothly. I would use a brass brush and brake parts cleaner on the calipers. Spray the shit out of them… like a rinse. I would then wire brush them (steel brush) and rinse again. This paint will hold up well and look good if you get good coverage. It has a rubbery quality once cured so it does not chip like normal paint. ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 7:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/12 "2007-05-16T07:53:31Z")
I used VHT Caliper Paint before. You have to really clean the calipers and drums well before spraying though. Sanding and brake cleaner are you friends. I don’t agree with painting drums, but I did it once and learned my lesson so who am I to say. ---
**Author:** ![GA2002GT2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5ac83/32.png) [@GA2002GT2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GA2002GT2)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 9:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/13 "2007-05-16T09:29:25Z")
The first time I did them I cleaned them up really good and used a wire brush wheel on my drill to shine them up. From there brake cleaner and wiped down and painted them with about 10 layers each of High Temp Engine Paint. It worked out great for about a year then with this pass winter it looks like crap now. Maybe all the salt and the trip to Boston, Mass. (I guess they use cemicals instead of salt). I’m going to try the kit first. Thanks for the advice. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 9:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/14 "2007-05-16T09:35:39Z")
[quote=“GA2002GT2,post:13,topic:29367"”] The first time I did them I cleaned them up really good and used a wire brush wheel on my drill to shine them up. From there brake cleaner and wiped down and painted them with about 10 layers each of High Temp Engine Paint. It worked out great for about a year then with this pass winter it looks like crap now. Maybe all the salt and the trip to Boston, Mass. (I guess they use cemicals instead of salt). I’m going to try the kit first. Thanks for the advice. [/quote] brake cleaner absorbs into porous metal (cast aluminum). and seeps out when heated. there’s your problem. ---
**Author:** ![layzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/layzie/32/7599_2.png) [@layzie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/layzie)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 9:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/15 "2007-05-16T09:37:00Z")
ya brake part cleaner is a bad way to prep for paint. you need to go get cleaner made for paint prep. it will get worse, get some paint stripper, (aircraft cleaner) strip the brakes, get paint prep cleaner, make sure the brakes are completely dry and then paint them again, let the paint paint cure a little bit then go out and get the caliper hot so the paint cures to the max ---
**Author:** ![Jeller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@Jeller](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jeller)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 9:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/16 "2007-05-16T09:38:19Z")
[quote=“Violator,post:11,topic:29367"”] This paint works well. [http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLUE-G2-BRAKE-CALIPER-PAINT-EPOXY-STYLE-FREE-SHIPPING\_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33563QQihZ017QQitemZ270120900242QQrdZ1](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLUE-G2-BRAKE-CALIPER-PAINT-EPOXY-STYLE-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33563QQihZ017QQitemZ270120900242QQrdZ1) Its a 2 part epoxy mix and cures chemically. Its rather thick so it fills and smooths the pitted finish of castings. It can cure a bit fast so you have to be prepared and work quickly. As it cures it thickens and stops wanting to spread smoothly. I would use a brass brush and brake parts cleaner on the calipers. Spray the shit out of them… like a rinse. I would then wire brush them (steel brush) and rinse again. This paint will hold up well and look good if you get good coverage. It has a rubbery quality once cured so it does not chip like normal paint. [/quote] I have used this on 2 cars, it works excellent. :tup: very nice finished product. Jeller ---
**Author:** ![MaximaSE98](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maximase98/32/7600_2.png) [@MaximaSE98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MaximaSE98)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 9:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/17 "2007-05-16T09:58:04Z")
I would jsut powdercoat them ---
**Author:** ![13005TEDGP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/edb3f5/32.png) [@13005TEDGP](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/13005TEDGP)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 10:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/18 "2007-05-16T10:12:40Z")
CLEAN is key. Period. I used Hi Temp paint on mine. Gun Metal Grey (I dont want nothing flashy, just clean brakes) I took them off the car. Used like 4-5cans of brake clean on all 4 calipers. Then, wiped them down with thinner with shop towels. Sprayed 3-4coats. Allowed overnight and half a day to dry, and put them back on, bled the brakes…noice. ---
**Author:** ![snowracer101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@snowracer101](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/snowracer101)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 2:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/19 "2007-05-16T14:22:55Z")
Don’t paint drums…It looks terrible… Or just spray them black and do the front red. ---
**Author:** ![Bigairskier1580](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bigairskier1580/32/7612_2.png) [@Bigairskier1580](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bigairskier1580)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 3:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367/20 "2007-05-16T15:06:10Z")
Dont paint the drums. Its not cool. Everything else has been covered. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/painting-brake-calipers/29367.md?page=2)