Painting brake calipers

[tonyd08]

Hi,
My brake calipers are looking really shoddy at the moment so decided to paint them. Will they need to be removed to be done properly? Also what colour should i do them, car is platinum and brakes are standard (1.4 )!

 

[DPJ]

Tony, have you done a search on this?

I think there is even a guide in Pab's section on the main site.

Try here

 

[tonyd08]

Yeah tried the search, found a post about cleaning them, didnt specify whether they needed to be removed or not though. I'll check the guides now

 

[caveo]

i did mine without removing them but i was very carful tho.

 

[Leigh15]

I painted the Ibiza's callipers without removing - it wasn't very easy though and you can't get right up to the edges and corners properly for fear of painting everything else - I'd remove if you want to do a really good job

 

[seatcupra]

Planning of doing this as well, think i'll go for red or possibly even (don't laugh) yellow!

 

[Phillc]

When i did mine i removed them from the hub but not totally from the car as i had enough flex on the pipe to paint all around them, then rigged up a small bungee to hold the caliper so not to put any strain on the pipe work while it dried which doesnt take long if you use the caliper paint.

 

[Becks]

I didn't take mine off, used a small brush and was very careful. Depends how much of a perfectionist you want to be about it!

 

[RikH]

shat loads of newspaper and you should be fine

i must be the only one who is going to go with black (well black car, special coloured wheels, has to be black or silver)

 

[kez]

really need to do mine. maybe when i'm doing the brake pads / discs

 

[prawn]

I removed mine from the carriers when I painted them, and masked them up then rested them on my worn out discs before replacing the discs, so it didn't matter if I got any paint on the disc.

I just wire brushed all the crap off (without the pads in place) and wiped them down with thinners before painting them in black enamal. I then dried them with a hairdryer before fitting them back on!

I did new discs and pads front and rear (did a 312 upgrade at the same time) and painted everything all in a day easily. Was well worth it too,

 

[tonyd08]

Thanks for the replies! Definitely do them this weekend so. Just can't decide on a colour?? Would black/silver/grey be the best bet?? Car is platnium. Don't think red would suit as the car isn't really sporty!

 

[oldman]

sorry to bring up old topic, but at least i searched...

i have acquired as et of front 312mm carriers and calipers, however they need a right good cleand a paint up so;
What is best stuff to remove all current, dirt oil crud etc etc?
Caliper paint was mentioned by Phillc, is this specifically needed and where can you puchase from? How much is going to be needed?
Would lacquer be required to help keep clean for longer?

New to this and still learning, but have time on my side!!

Thanks all, lovely site but rather expensive

 

[olliep]

if you get the kit from halfords it has cleaner with it. you can get colours for £26ish or black and silver is £10. everything you need i.e. paint/hardener/lacquor/cleaner/brush yah di yah di yah

 

[Teasy]

I got the Halfrauds red caliper paint, I put it in a plastic container to work out of & the paint melted the container so be wary.......I was very careful & it done a good job

 

[oldman]

cool thanks for the paint info - hellfrauds at weekend then

What about cleaning all crud / oil / dirt etc off?
as would like clean before painting.

As a side, anybody noticed that vag-parts is dead?
what the 256mm upgrade aswell.