Brake Calipers

[Arnolfini]

My car's imperial blue, and I've gone for the traditional bright red calipers. I have to admit that even though it could do with a third coat, the one caliper I've done looks wicked!

Also planning on adding white 'SEAT' decals once it's all done, which i reckon will really set them off

 

[thebeno]

Take them pics brother!!

 

[Arnolfini]

Will do! Need to make sure everything's nice and shiny on the car first though... It's absolutely filthy at the moment!

 

[thebeno]

I gave mine a good detail this weekend, must take some photo's, she's looking lovely!!

 

[MMCrewcupra]

i cleaned mine then stared making my installl, oh dear the dust has got everywhere again lol

 

[janowski1980]

thanks for all the help and advice on this matter guys and girls, i have decided to go with red, i know its the norm but i think it will look great. didnt realsie it is going to take so long to do though. Will post some pics when i have completed. Im hoping to do them this weekend coming, providing my car has returned from being fixed at garage.

 

[SteveD]

Grey car i would look at red and bronze

 

[bizzaboy]

Is it just possible to BUY a set of 4 NEW Calipers, then prepare and paint these in the comfort of your home/garage... then once all the required coats have been added (plus any lacquer?), simply fit them to each corner of your car (replacing the old tatty ones)?

Nice new painted calipers + no messing around with old dusty/rusty ones that underneath that nice exterior, are still worn and tatty?

Also the Calipers get painted 'properly', and you don't miss any bits, as you could if they were left in Situ, with the car up on stands/jack.

Just makes sense - how much you looking for, for a set of new Calipers?
Any dis-advantage to buying a new set (that you paint), instead of using the old ones?

 

[Snoopcousins]

Thats what I intend to do as Im going to upgrade to the 312mm setup on my Cupra TDI.

 

[thebeno]

Where from Snoop, and how much? Are they the Brembo ones?

 

[Arnolfini]

Just makes sense - how much you looking for, for a set of new Calipers?

I don't know - but I can't imagine they'd be cheap. If you're looking at changing the calipers might it not be worth looking at upgrading the brakes altogether (with Brembos or whatever) - in which case painting becomes irrelevant?

Any dis-advantage to buying a new set (that you paint), instead of using the old ones?

Not really - other than cost.

For about £15-£20 you can buy all the bits needed to do a decent job on the old calipers (de-greaser, wire brush, paint and lacquer)... and if you do things properly, they will look every bit as good as brand new calipers that have been painted beforehand. It will just take a fair bit more time and effort.

Obviously if you cut corners, or can't be bothered to spend the time on them then they won't look so good. So if you don't have any patience and money is no object, then go get new calipers... it just seems like a waste of money to me!

 

[Snoopcousins]

Thebeno, many peeps have upgraded the brakes on the Leon 150 as stupidly they dont have the 312mm brakes that the leon 20VT get.
Jonjay has just ordered 312mm discs, caliper carriers and better pads (using existing calipers) for around £350 though without the pads it would only be around £230.
Dont think Jonjay will mind me posting the details of what he ordered....

ATE Powerdiscs 312mm vented and grooved £121 inc delivery:-
ATE Part No. 24.0325.0123
EuroCarParts Part No: 926440280

Ferodo DS2500's £136 inc delivery
Part No: FCP590H
www.badger-5.co.uk

Golf Mk4 312mm caliper carriers £110 inc delvery
Part No: unknown
www.vagparts.co.uk


OR you can buy a complete 312mm brake kit for around £250 from http://www.golfturbo.com/index_files/page0002.htm

 

[bizzaboy]

I don't know - but I can't imagine they'd be cheap. If you're looking at changing the calipers might it not be worth looking at upgrading the brakes altogether (with Brembos or whatever) - in which case painting becomes irrelevant?

Ok, have looked into this further, to purchase brand new calipers from SEAT (ready for painting)...

2 x Front Calipers = £181 (inc vat).
2 x Rear Calipers = £226 (inc vat).

Total for 4 new Calipers = £407.....what a bargain ... NOT!

Forget that idea... so to contradict my previous posts in this Thread, restoring the original Calipers so they are in great condition, then painting them, is still the most effective option!

....or just invest in uprated Brakes (where the Calipers are already painted)

 

[thebeno]

I hope you chaps are going to take some photo's this weekend of your new painted calipers?

 

[janowski1980]

dont ge may car back until next wed now, so will not be painting till next weekend. Decided to go with Red in the end.

 

[bizzaboy]

dont ge may car back until next wed now, so will not be painting till next weekend. Decided to go with Red in the end.

Sounds good Janowski, the Red should be a very nice contrast against your Platinum Grey! Look forward to seeing the results

 

[janowski1980]

cheers, will be sure to post some when completed. wish me luck.

 

[Arnolfini]

Right!

Spent all day doing mine, and here are the results... I'm pretty chuffed, although the pics have made me realise how chipped my alloys are!

Painted and with decals - pic taken on my phone, hence crappy quality:

With the wheel back on:

Before anyone mentions it, I realise the wire clips aren't on the calipers in these pics, although they're back on now. Unfortunately it was too dark to take a photo by the time everything was totally finished. For the same reason I couldn't take any pics of the rears.

Personally I reckon these look the nuts, although it was far harder work than I had anticipated... well worth it though!

 

[Fastbaz]

bought a tin of red manifold paint from halfords for about 7 pounds two coats applied after a good clean of the calipers and hey presto. red calipers, will try and get some picckies but they are a swine to keep clean the brake dust really does show up now but once they are clean they look great...

 

[oedwards]

Hey People,

Just a quick question;

About 18 months ago when knocking the pin out of the front far side calliper I taped the cal with a hammer. A few months ago it has started to fade and is spreading. It looks as if there is a plastic coating on the callipers and the moisture is spreading under that. Is this the lacquer and can I just sand through it will regular sandpaper?

What I like about the way they come out of the factory is the smooth shiny finish to them. If I use the recommended above methods is it possible to get a shiny finish or do they look matt? Are there any methods to getting a smooth finish, spray paint the Hammerite on? Once I use this Hammerite paint can that be lacquered alright or is it no recommended. Also, how likely are the brembo stickers to stay on?

Cheers guys

Olly