Red calipers

[27_craig]

Hi, I have just ordered myself some E-tech red caliper paint off eBay for my mk4 Ibiza! Just after some tips etc on best way to paint my calipers??

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

Wheel off, clean the caliper, if you don't trust yourself to only paint the caliper and not get paint on other things then mask off areas..paint it, put the wheel back on carefully and leave it to dry.

Most places say not to drive the car for 24h to let the paint dry properly

 

[Earthling]

Carefully.

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

Carefully.

Unhelpful answer is unhelpful

 

[DEAN0]

Just to add to lawrieIbizaMk4 comments - In the current weather after cleaning - I would try to warm the caliper with a hairdryer before you paint.

I stress hairdryer and NOT heat gun.

 

[27_craig]

Thanks for comments, what's best to clean caliper? Just a wire brush and spray cleaner that comes with the paint?

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

Thanks for comments, what's best to clean caliper? Just a wire brush and spray cleaner that comes with the paint?

While its dry a stiff wire brush and a hammer will remove most of the crud, give it a good scrub then a few taps with the hammer and you'll be surprised at how much falls away! Once you have removed most of it give it a quick sand to smooth it down. Then use the caliper cleaner to remove the smaller parts and remaining dirt/grime/grease, let it evaporate then use it again but wipe it off with a rag.

The caliper paint kits actually self level so you don't really need that smooth a surface but still the smoother the better

Like deano said, before you paint give it a warm up with a hair dryer, this will let the paint bond better to the surface

 

[27_craig]

Thanks for that mate, can I put wheel back on before paint is dry? As in do I need axle stands or can I do one at a time?

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

You can put the wheel back on, just be careful not to touch the paint with the wheel

 

[krussel]

Thanks for comments, what's best to clean caliper? Just a wire brush and spray cleaner that comes with the paint?

The cleaner is good at removing the brake dust but wont touch any heavy grime or rust so a hand wire brush is your friend.

Just make sure the surface is completely dry before you apply the paint.

See my thread here for pics etc.

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=327754

 

[27_craig]

Painted my calipers today! Only took a few hours with 2 coats of paint on each caliper. Looks great, next up is some heko wind deflectors and a red stitched leather gear gater! Lovely!

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

Painted my calipers today! Only took a few hours with 2 coats of paint on each caliper. Looks great, next up is some heko wind deflectors and a red stitched leather gear gater! Lovely!

Good lad painting the brakes is always a good one because you can't help staring at them all the time

 

[krussel]

Good lad painting the brakes is always a good one because you can't help staring at them all the time

Yeah and curse when the knoooobs at the tyre shop chip them putting the wheels back on

 

[27_craig]

I love them they make such a difference! Sorry for so many pics !!

 

[Sjdickso]

Looks spot on, but a tiny tip when taking all time you have to do the callipers a quick blast of VHT paint on the discs will tidy it up even more.

 

[27_craig]

Cheers for tip but what's VHT paint?

 

[Sjdickso]

Cheers for tip but what's VHT paint?

Sorry, VHT is ( Very temperature paint) you can pick it up for around £8 a can in multiple colours while doing the callipers if you mask off you can do the rusty parts of the discs once cleaned up with a wire brush.

Only learned this recently from a detailing site I find Matt black always looks good to any caliper colour choice

 

[Edward9th]

Motorbike cylinder black by Hermetite (and others!). should do the job.