Painting calipers
 

Any tips or trucks for painting the calipers? What's the best paint to use? Is it difficult to do without removing the calipers? I was hoping to just remove the wheels. Thanks!

Use plastidip

I would not plastii dip a caliper. The stuff is only solid to like 300deg f. I'd be more inclined to buy caliper paint which can tolerate much higher heat. I know there are people out there doing it with some degree of success, but IMHO not worth it. Much like using a trash bag as a parachute may deliver some success. I would suspect with the amount of brake cooling kits I see people dabbing for the 370 that the brakes get warmer than the average Kia. But I'm sure all the plastic dip lovers will come in and flame away.

As far as painting or plastidip you can paint with just wheel off but results won't look as good a full removal. Judgement call but to me when I see a sloppily painted caliper that has cheater lines all over it I laugh and think how the "mod" made the car worse.

I look at it this way, either go all the way, or don't do it at all. If you do it, just remove the caliper (brackets too if its a non-sport) and prep them very well. Too many people don't and the paint chips and it looks like sh1t. Also only use a high temp resistant paint and allow to dry fully before reassembly. Using bent up wire clothes hangers is a good way to hang the caliper so it can dry. Never let them dangle by the brake line, that can too easily cause damage to the lines. In the end its your call though.

:icon18:

you talking the base calipers or the sport akebonos?

if base, just leave it (or paint it silver/black to prevent corrosion if that's wat you're after)
those painted basic calipers look tacky.

If you have the sport brakes (akebono), then I recommend you send them to Mike The Powdercoater. He will do them right :tup:

You can PM him on the forum. He is a forum sponsor - his username is just plain Mike

Here's pics of mine. I masked a lot and used caliper paint, applied Nismo decals I had made, and then used high heat clear. They have held up very well and cost was under $20:

http://www.the370z.com/members/pfdax...mm-spacers.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/pfdax...mm-spacers.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/pfdax...mm-spacers.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/pfdax...mm-spacers.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/pfdax...oes-brakes.jpg

:tiphat:

GJ, that looks professoinally done. :tup: thats vinyl decal? should be okay for street but maybe not for track use.

Yes. Vinyl decal. They have held up very well for almost 2 years. And yes...street use only since I don't track. Unless you count speeding to the grocery store... :driving:

that's cool. :tup:

the vinyl will hold up on track use too.

...Too? Thought you said even powdercoat doesn't hold up to track duty?

:driving:

vinyl actually holds up better than the powder. Had a pro driver drive my C6 at vir and he toasted the fresh red powdercoat, but the silver vinyl on top looked brand new.

the problem with powdercoat and track use is that it gets soft when it gets hot, and the brake dust embeds in the powder and darkens/dulls it.

Good info! Thanks Mike! :tup:

Duplicolor Caliper Kit, Red, 8 oz. Half-Pint/Aerosol Kit BCP400: Upgrade with the best Paint - Specialty Paint at Advance Auto Parts

I have the base calipers and used this kit... comes with the brake cleaner and I used an old toothbrush to help clean them up. You just brush it on, and it's a very thick paint. (Don't use the brush it comes with though, it's terrible.)

Attachment 93326

Attachment 93327