best way 2 clean and paint calipers

[Paddy_g46]

ok got 2 manky calipers and want them red, what do i do!

 

[Pep]

all i did was wire wool or brush the flaking rust off, some fine grit wet and dry paper, then wipe with white spirit to get rid of the grease etc, then get some hammerite straight on paint, and wack it on, the first coat wont look too pretty, but the second should look better.

also, in red take your time as the brush strokes are very visible, so make sure they all run in the same direction.

and do not drive your car for the rest of the day to make sure the paint dries before your calipers get hot under braking.

hope that helps?

 

[Paddy_g46]

first u said u sprayed it on, then u said brush?

 

[Pep]

sprayed?where?

might of put it wrong, i used hammerite smooth paint, and put both coats on with a brush.

sorry if i confused you!

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Main thing is make sure they are clean and free from any grease so the paint will stick .

If you can take them off the car its easier and clean then with some of these wire brushes , you can find them in some pound shops .

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=13734&ts=76536

Then hammerite as pepsi said , spray or brush . I used the spray .

 

[Paddy_g46]

"hammerite straight on paint" oops i thought it said spray on paint so just buy hammerite red and give it 2 coats? how many hours can i not drive for? can i speed it up by usign a hair dryer on it?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

It takes a couple of hours to go dry to the touch , leave it 24 hours would be best imo so any brake dust , dirt etc won't bond to the paint . But i have seen on here somebody who painted them and drove it straight away . Its up to you at the end of the day really .

 

[Paddy_g46]

well hopefully ill have them painted by 10 so if i leave them for 6 hours?

also if i use spray paint do i split the calliper and cover the whole thing or wat?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

If your leaving the calipers on the car i would paint them with a brush , if your taking them off the car i'd spray them and just mask the piston up , split the caliper and pad carrier .Painting them on the car is alot quicker , but its easier to clean them off the car imo .

 

[Paddy_g46]

im pickign them up frm scrappies 2morow, so will probs clean them then fit them then paint.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

If they are already off the car it'll be easier to paint them , then fit them .

 

[Paddy_g46]

yeh but ill have 2 wait ages 2 fit them! lol

ok so if i clean them and paint them, do u think 5 hours dryign wud b ok with a little help frm a hairdryer?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

5 hours will probably be ok .I was just thinking that it'll be easier for you if you clean and paint them off the car . Personally i'd paint them Saturday fit them Sunday .

 

[Paddy_g46]

but if i use a hair dryer then they will b as dry as they are gonna get dnt u think?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

They'll probably dry faster when you drive , as the calipers get hot and will cure the paint .

 

[alexbleubolt]

i just painted mine (last nite) and didnt even clean them properly, just rubbed with a rag, and my trusty finger. Thats cos i be lazy, they look smarty arsey anyways (from a distance) :rasp: apart from the scruffy wheel

 

[The Big Yin]

Use a small brush and cut the bristles down so they are only about 11/2 cm long will help - just make sure you clean the calipers well before applying wire brush and emery paper should do it and two coats is a must to prevent the rust coming back quickly
A good paint to use is called JAPLAC from B&Q,Homebase etc i find it gives a much better glossy finish to the calipers and is very hard wearing too....