Painting Brake Calipers

[BenS_172]

Has anyone painted their calipers? Is there any reason not to do it, or any caliper paints that are reccomended to use?

Do you have to remove the caliper to do it? Or can it be done "in situ"?

Cheers

Ben

 

[KTR-CLIO]

I have just done mine. I didnt take them off. I covered the disks with a towel when I sprayed the cleaner. But the paint is just put on using a brush.

Easy!!

 

[BenS_172]

Cheers mate!

Just got to decide on the colour now!

 

[RobFenn]

Nooo! Be subtle at least, i hate people whos spray theyre drums red and stuff lol. The paint peels off after a while anyway

 

[BenS_172]

I was going to go with silver, I think thats subtle enough?

Do you agree Rob?

 

[R3OBC]

im just gonna do my calipers in a blue..................seeing as the silver dynamique has a blue flip to it! not touching the drums tho lol

 

[Alex M]

I did mine in subtle blue hue and they look good, not tacky at all, plus it protects your calipers from roting, calipers are really in the firing line for salt etc. Was doing new pads and disc at time, so my calipers were off, although I did it without detaching flexi. I used spray brake cleaner, and a 250ml tine of enginer laquer. £7 (did it on impulse and they didnt have proper caliper paint at shop)and it still ooks fine ages after doing. Helps if you have large open wheels, as you can give the calipers a wee clean, every time you wash the car, that makes any paint last a lot longer.

Alex M

 

[jimbo1]

use humbrol airfix kit paint enamel. costs about 80p and its available in huuuuge number o colours. bestpaint ive used for paintin the calipers. works a treat, dusnt melt or burn off

jimbo

 

[Flying Scotsman]

I normally use the Halfords caliper paint. Expensive (~£20) but lasts. A bit "boy-racerish" I know, but hate looking at sh*ty calipers through alloys! I did the front & rear calipers on my Ausi S2 about 5 years ago and still looks as good as new when skooshed with the pressure washer. The brakes on this car can get really hot when used hard. The calipers had three years of rust & Sh*t on them which I laborously removed (caliper still on car) using a Dremel/abrasive wheel (wear a dust mask), cleaned down with methelated spirits then applied two layers of paint within an hour. Cant drive the car for about 24 hrs to let the paint set. I did the calipers on my 172 about a day after delivery so a quick clean with meths was all that was required before painting. Both my cars are silver and opted for the blue caliper paint. I have a picture of my 172 at

http://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/rearcaliper.jpghttp://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/rearcaliper.jpg

http://www.clio-sport-172.co.ukhttp://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk

if you want to look. I think they look fairly subtle against the silver.

 

[paddymph]

Cant see the calipers in those pics?? Ive been waiting to see some painred 172 calipers for ages!!!

Paddy

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Yeh your right Paddy. Might go out in the freezing cold tonight and take closer pictures .....just for you m8. Watch this space

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Right Paddy here you are. The stock 172 alloys probably dont show the calipers as much as a thin spoked wheel. Probably more noticable when in motion. My self side shots of the 172 are not to good at 70mph !!! LOL

http://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/rearcaliper01.jpghttp://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/rearcaliper01.jpg

http://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/rearcaliper02.jpghttp://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/rearcaliper02.jpg

http://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/frontcaliper01.jpghttp://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/frontcaliper01.jpg

http://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/frontcaliper02.jpghttp://www.clio-sport-172.co.uk/frontcaliper02.jpg

BTW, I just noticed that one of the photos has revealed my shabby "GranDad" style slippers . Ill never hear the end of it now!! ....well you know what its like the 172 saps up all your spare cash ...these are actually second hand slippers !!

 

[paddymph]

Cheers matey!! And i thought you were being sarcy!?? They look good, think mine would have to be red though? Or Silver? Or yellow! Feck, i dont know...

Paddy,

ps,youre right about the slippers.........grandad

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Your welcome grandson !! He he What colour is your va va voom paddy? .....perhaps I can decide what colour of paint you should use? If you use the Halfords paint you have the VAST choice of blue, red or silver!!

 

[coolspot007007]

just use hammerite. Wire brush and clean the caliper then mask and spray, itll soak in so youll need a few coats, best way to get a factory finish i reckon. Tried caliper paint burned off.

 

[GR7]

I know some guys who have used Hammerite and it has lasted ages and is a quarter of the price of that specail calliper paint, but it has to be stirred well before using.

 

[Flying Scotsman]

I used silver hammerite on my past 3L Scimitar GTE front calipers (oohh dear showing my age again!!) Afraid it all discoloured quite quickly and flaked off after about year! (Even mixed it well GR ) But then the Mintex disc pads used to smoke after a good hooch along the local lanes! I though it was a good idea at the time since I painted all the steel chassis with the same paint. Havent seen this happen with the good old Halfords paint! (BTW in case yourre thinking, I dont work for Halfords or own any shares! ) However, I reckon all their products are probably major brand names in disguise, bought in bulk (ie. generally good stuff).

 

[RobFenn]

Yeah i use their wheel cleaner, and think its the best!



--jealous of all 172 owners--

 

[greeper]

My car is black, what colour should I use on my calipers?

 

[Will16V]

Red - not too tacky if you can pull it off with a nice factory finish, specially with a black car - contrasts well

 

[RobFenn]

I saw a vanquish with gold ones, looked smart

 

[greeper]

Yeh I thought red would be best, thanks

 

[BenS_172]

So what do you think would look good on a blue car?

I was thinking about silver??

Ben

 

[Will16V]

How about puke yellow!?!?!? - Or the same colour as the F16 i e print on your engine?

 

[Daz]

Ben, when I was talking about getting mine done, most people said either Silver or the colour of the car. Got a dark blue clio.

Daz.