Caliper painting

[bekker 7]

Hi guys,

I'm going to be painting my new calipers once I've finished stripping them back. There is a certain amount of surface rust which I will get rid of (as much as I can anyway).

Does anyone know of a rust treatment or primer that would be suitable for the kind of temperatures the calipers see. I can't find any, seems most people simply paint straight onto the metal.

Cheers.

Edited July 20, 2009 by bekker

[Shady 0]

I painted all 4 of mine, didnt remove them I just painted them on the car, paint just eventually burnt off the rotors when I used the brakes and painted them black. I bought a paint especially made for directly put on metal as it has Primer in the paint like a 2 in 1. Painted them with about 3 coats so is very thick. has no shown any evidence of wearing off or melting. I forgot what its called, but Repco/SCA and most paint specialists sell them. Prices are about $10-$20 a can depending where you go. I paid $20at a paint shop and a BIG can, 3 coats per caliper (x4) and had heaps left! Dries fast too.

EDIT:- Has been well over a month now since I painted them, and still looks nice n fresh whenever I remove my wheels and wash the calipers. Looks shiny as.

Edited July 16, 2009 by Shady

[Nobimmer 694]

^^Wattyl S.P.E.E will do that.

[briancol 3]

I painted mine about two years ago.

I cleaned them well first, then sprayed them with a heat resistant primer, then three coats of heat resistant red.

They still look as good as the day they were painted.

[Apex 693]

Yep, it’s all about the preparation, allow for a few hours to do the job properly. I used the paint brush stuff last time and it was a much better job than spraying them. Use two or more coats of paint.

Just use a wire brush to clean them up, nothing works better than a wire brush.

[bekker 7]

I painted mine about two years ago.

I cleaned them well first, then sprayed them with a heat resistant primer, then three coats of heat resistant red.

They still look as good as the day they were painted.

Where did you get the heat resistant primer? I can't find any!

I'm stripping them back really well - wire brush thingy on my power drill. It's just that there are nooks and craneys (spelling?) which are difficult to reach with the brush. I'm then using a dremmel head as best I can.

I'd like to use a primer but if I can't find anything to handle the heat I guess I'll just go straight on with the paint.

[briancol 3]

Where did you get the heat resistant primer? I can't find any!

I'm stripping them back really well - wire brush thingy on my power drill. It's just that there are nooks and craneys (spelling?) which are difficult to reach with the brush. I'm then using a dremmel head as best I can.

I'd like to use a primer but if I can't find anything to handle the heat I guess I'll just go straight on with the paint.

I brought it in spray cans from Supercheap.

[Shady 0]

Just go for the paint that can be sprayed straight on baremetal. I never used primer and its still mint as. I dont think the calipers get as hot as we all think they do - when I roll around, I go out for a few hours and use my brakes alot (of course) so would heat up a bit I'd say, and no sign of wear or peel at all...

Edited July 17, 2009 by Shady

[Nobimmer 694]

Plasticote do a heat proof primer. Mitre ten WILL have it and so should placemakers. If you still can't find any I can send you a can.

[kiwi535 538]

, and still looks nice n fresh whenever I remove my wheels and wash the calipers. Looks shiny as.

[Shady 0]

Hahah whats that look for? I dont do that every week. Only when I can be bothered...like once or twice a month.

[kiwi535 538]

i like to have mycar clean,but the only time the wheels come off is for punctures or tyre replacement :bowdown:

[*Glenn* 854]

i like to have mycar clean,but the only time the wheels come off is for punctures or tyre replacement :bowdown:

I take my wheels off about every 2nd time I clean my car and give the mags a good clean, inside & out

[320guy 0]

Just go for the paint that can be sprayed straight on baremetal. I never used primer and its still mint as. I dont think the calipers get as hot as we all think they do - when I roll around, I go out for a few hours and use my brakes alot (of course) so would heat up a bit I'd say, and no sign of wear or peel at all...

I reckon they probally get pretty hot, ive had mine hot enough that the pads were actually smoking, and I couldnt even touch the wheel because the wheel was so hot.

[mark247 39]

I reckon they probally get pretty hot, ive had mine hot enough that the pads were actually smoking, and I couldnt even touch the wheel because the wheel was so hot.

He's right. I once thought my front brakes were on fire there was so much smoke.

[bekker 7]

Plasticote do a heat proof primer. Mitre ten WILL have it and so should placemakers. If you still can't find any I can send you a can.

Cheers, Ill check them out tomorrow.

[bekker 7]

Just thought I'd give a word of warning on the caliper paint available from Supercheap. Apparently many people have had good experience with it. Not me. After many days of hard work and preparation I discovered that it simply dissolves and drips away when it comes into contact with brake cleaner.

Supercheap were very surprised and at first didn't believe me and wouldn't give me a refund until I actually demonstrated it for them. They said they would take it up with their parts people but I've ordered some VHT instead. I think this may be one of those times when 'ya gets what ya pays for'.

And in case anyone asks... parts thoroughly prep'd, degreased, cleaned, painted, cured for 4 days yada yada yada. In other words I carefully followed the instructions.

Hoping for better luck with the VHT!