Painting Calipers
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 39
Painting Calipers
Hey, I bought some caliper paint from tirerack a long while ago, and recently have more time. My question is as follows, can somebody guide me through doing this and give me any recommendations you may have. I bought black paint and i ordered these special decals in white that say INFINITI, they are made to take the heat and what not. My car is white, and I have drilled and slotted brembo rotors...personally I wanted white paint with black letters, but some idiots talked me into the black, so I may as well try it. Anyways, a step by step guide would be very helpful 
BTW, I'm thinking of removing the I30 off the back, so it looks more symmetrical, what do you guys think? Thanks again, Curt.
BTW, I'm thinking of removing the I30 off the back, so it looks more symmetrical, what do you guys think? Thanks again, Curt.
white would get dirty way too fast.... I use to have yellow believe me.... I am going to paint mine silver this weekend I believe... Instead of spending the $30 on caliber paint, you should have just got the high heat engine paint for $3 a can!
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I painted mine silver using the two-part epoxy paint you can get from Eastwood. It was quite easy. The instructions were very clear. They also said caliper removal wasn't necessary, but I did anyway to make sure I could cover every surface.
Here was my sequence:
1. Put car up on jackstands and remove wheels.
2. Using a wire brush in a drill, I spent probably 20 minutes on each caliper, removing all the accumulated grime. Be sure to wear a mask and goggles because it'll launch a lot of crap into the air.
3. Removed each caliper from it's mount and disassembled the pad sets. Be sure to support the calipers. Don't let 'em hang by the brake line. A wire coat hanger works great because it's strong and easily positioned.
4. Used a small, hand-held wire brush to clean all the smaller crevices and around the mounting holes.
5. Cut and placed some smaller pieces of wood between the caliper and the rotor and mounting brackets. That way, I could apply the cleaner and paint with both hands.
6. Sprayed the Brake Cleaner that came with the kit. There was enough of it to go over each caliper three times. Be sure to keep the spray off of rubber parts. It'll deteriorate them quickly.
7. Poured the Activator onto the paint, stirred for a couple minutes, and let it sit for five minutes.
8. After those five minutes, stirred it again and began application. The instructions say to apply thin, even coats as opposed to a heavy application and to allow fifteen minutes between coats. I was able to get three full coats on each caliper.
9. Allowed the paint to cure over night. By the next morning, the paint was so hard, I couldn't even leave an impression with my fingernail.
10. I found a few places where the paint ended up where it wasn't supposed to be because when painting in such a confined space, it'll happen. I used a small screwdriver to chip that off and a clean paintbrush to brush it all off again.
11. Reassembled and mounted the calipers and remounted the wheels.
I applied the paint to all surfaces including the bottom and the back. For me, this was a way to prevent corrosion/dust build-up more than a cosmetic enhancement. It does look good, but that's just a bonus.
I tried the less-expensive, high-heat spray paint on my previous car. It didn't seem to hold up very well for me and masking everything off to prevent overspray and such was more of a hassle than I thought it would be. I really like this method because you could get right down on the caliper and take your time to do a good job. I'm very happy with the results.
Here was my sequence:
1. Put car up on jackstands and remove wheels.
2. Using a wire brush in a drill, I spent probably 20 minutes on each caliper, removing all the accumulated grime. Be sure to wear a mask and goggles because it'll launch a lot of crap into the air.
3. Removed each caliper from it's mount and disassembled the pad sets. Be sure to support the calipers. Don't let 'em hang by the brake line. A wire coat hanger works great because it's strong and easily positioned.
4. Used a small, hand-held wire brush to clean all the smaller crevices and around the mounting holes.
5. Cut and placed some smaller pieces of wood between the caliper and the rotor and mounting brackets. That way, I could apply the cleaner and paint with both hands.
6. Sprayed the Brake Cleaner that came with the kit. There was enough of it to go over each caliper three times. Be sure to keep the spray off of rubber parts. It'll deteriorate them quickly.
7. Poured the Activator onto the paint, stirred for a couple minutes, and let it sit for five minutes.
8. After those five minutes, stirred it again and began application. The instructions say to apply thin, even coats as opposed to a heavy application and to allow fifteen minutes between coats. I was able to get three full coats on each caliper.
9. Allowed the paint to cure over night. By the next morning, the paint was so hard, I couldn't even leave an impression with my fingernail.
10. I found a few places where the paint ended up where it wasn't supposed to be because when painting in such a confined space, it'll happen. I used a small screwdriver to chip that off and a clean paintbrush to brush it all off again.
11. Reassembled and mounted the calipers and remounted the wheels.
I applied the paint to all surfaces including the bottom and the back. For me, this was a way to prevent corrosion/dust build-up more than a cosmetic enhancement. It does look good, but that's just a bonus.
I tried the less-expensive, high-heat spray paint on my previous car. It didn't seem to hold up very well for me and masking everything off to prevent overspray and such was more of a hassle than I thought it would be. I really like this method because you could get right down on the caliper and take your time to do a good job. I'm very happy with the results.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,860
Originally Posted by 2000i30cg
Hey, I bought some caliper paint from tirerack a long while ago, and recently have more time. My question is as follows, can somebody guide me through doing this and give me any recommendations you may have. I bought black paint and i ordered these special decals in white that say INFINITI, they are made to take the heat and what not. My car is white, and I have drilled and slotted brembo rotors...personally I wanted white paint with black letters, but some idiots talked me into the black, so I may as well try it. Anyways, a step by step guide would be very helpful
BTW, I'm thinking of removing the I30 off the back, so it looks more symmetrical, what do you guys think? Thanks again, Curt.
BTW, I'm thinking of removing the I30 off the back, so it looks more symmetrical, what do you guys think? Thanks again, Curt.
) lver and have either "INFINITI" or the emblem in red.Where did you get the decals? They are supposed to be able to take the heat? Can I get em in red?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 39
Yes, they are designed for just the purpose. My only concern is they may be a little too big for the smaller calipers, and I got them from http://www.caliperdecals.com and the guy's name is Rich Calnan, really nice, he runs it out of his garage. Anyways good luck they are really worth the money, at least I hope heh.
they are really worth the money, at least I hope heh.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 560
When I got my new rims the other week, the shop spray painted them with some paint (not sure of the type, persume it was the correct type) while they were still hooked up. Seem to come out fine, much better then the dull grey colour they once were. Only side-effect is that until the paint wears off the rotor, the brakes will feel a little odd. I was advised to do a bit of heavy braking to wear it all off, they work fine now
Originally Posted by attomica
I painted mine silver using the two-part epoxy paint you can get from Eastwood. It was quite easy. The instructions were very clear. They also said caliper removal wasn't necessary, but I did anyway to make sure I could cover every surface.
Here was my sequence:
1. Put car up on jackstands and remove wheels.
2. Using a wire brush in a drill, I spent probably 20 minutes on each caliper, removing all the accumulated grime. Be sure to wear a mask and goggles because it'll launch a lot of crap into the air.
3. Removed each caliper from it's mount and disassembled the pad sets. Be sure to support the calipers. Don't let 'em hang by the brake line. A wire coat hanger works great because it's strong and easily positioned.
4. Used a small, hand-held wire brush to clean all the smaller crevices and around the mounting holes.
5. Cut and placed some smaller pieces of wood between the caliper and the rotor and mounting brackets. That way, I could apply the cleaner and paint with both hands.
6. Sprayed the Brake Cleaner that came with the kit. There was enough of it to go over each caliper three times. Be sure to keep the spray off of rubber parts. It'll deteriorate them quickly.
7. Poured the Activator onto the paint, stirred for a couple minutes, and let it sit for five minutes.
8. After those five minutes, stirred it again and began application. The instructions say to apply thin, even coats as opposed to a heavy application and to allow fifteen minutes between coats. I was able to get three full coats on each caliper.
9. Allowed the paint to cure over night. By the next morning, the paint was so hard, I couldn't even leave an impression with my fingernail.
10. I found a few places where the paint ended up where it wasn't supposed to be because when painting in such a confined space, it'll happen. I used a small screwdriver to chip that off and a clean paintbrush to brush it all off again.
11. Reassembled and mounted the calipers and remounted the wheels.
I applied the paint to all surfaces including the bottom and the back. For me, this was a way to prevent corrosion/dust build-up more than a cosmetic enhancement. It does look good, but that's just a bonus.
I tried the less-expensive, high-heat spray paint on my previous car. It didn't seem to hold up very well for me and masking everything off to prevent overspray and such was more of a hassle than I thought it would be. I really like this method because you could get right down on the caliper and take your time to do a good job. I'm very happy with the results.
Here was my sequence:
1. Put car up on jackstands and remove wheels.
2. Using a wire brush in a drill, I spent probably 20 minutes on each caliper, removing all the accumulated grime. Be sure to wear a mask and goggles because it'll launch a lot of crap into the air.
3. Removed each caliper from it's mount and disassembled the pad sets. Be sure to support the calipers. Don't let 'em hang by the brake line. A wire coat hanger works great because it's strong and easily positioned.
4. Used a small, hand-held wire brush to clean all the smaller crevices and around the mounting holes.
5. Cut and placed some smaller pieces of wood between the caliper and the rotor and mounting brackets. That way, I could apply the cleaner and paint with both hands.
6. Sprayed the Brake Cleaner that came with the kit. There was enough of it to go over each caliper three times. Be sure to keep the spray off of rubber parts. It'll deteriorate them quickly.
7. Poured the Activator onto the paint, stirred for a couple minutes, and let it sit for five minutes.
8. After those five minutes, stirred it again and began application. The instructions say to apply thin, even coats as opposed to a heavy application and to allow fifteen minutes between coats. I was able to get three full coats on each caliper.
9. Allowed the paint to cure over night. By the next morning, the paint was so hard, I couldn't even leave an impression with my fingernail.
10. I found a few places where the paint ended up where it wasn't supposed to be because when painting in such a confined space, it'll happen. I used a small screwdriver to chip that off and a clean paintbrush to brush it all off again.
11. Reassembled and mounted the calipers and remounted the wheels.
I applied the paint to all surfaces including the bottom and the back. For me, this was a way to prevent corrosion/dust build-up more than a cosmetic enhancement. It does look good, but that's just a bonus.
I tried the less-expensive, high-heat spray paint on my previous car. It didn't seem to hold up very well for me and masking everything off to prevent overspray and such was more of a hassle than I thought it would be. I really like this method because you could get right down on the caliper and take your time to do a good job. I'm very happy with the results.
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Posts: n/a
Yeah, I took a slew of pictures. Here's an album with some of 'em:
2000 I30t caliper paint
As usual, the pictures don't do it justice, but the calipers look much better in person without the nasty dirt build-up. The color of the calipers is hard to accurately capture.
2000 I30t caliper paint
As usual, the pictures don't do it justice, but the calipers look much better in person without the nasty dirt build-up. The color of the calipers is hard to accurately capture.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 640
Looks like attomica did a really good job on his brakes. I didnt really spend as much time as he did on my calipers. However, I did use regular high temp engine paint that i found at pep boys. The color is red, and its perfect! its been on there for over 1.5 yrs and it still looks fine. after spraying a few coats of the red, I also sprayed a few coats of high temp clear-coat. If you were doing decals, perhaps you could apply them after the regular paint (get a matte finish so the decals would stick better??), and then once all that sets up, spray the clear coat on to seal and get some good shine action.
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