Cleaning up rusty rotors & caliper painting?

JohnnyDaJackal · 08-07-05, 07:56

Hello:

Well i've decided after reading enough posts about caliper painting that it seemed like a good thing to do. I went out and bought the Dupli-Color caliper paint kit. I plan on doing this project in the next couple weeks when the temperatures and humidity drop a bit. I have one question about this though. When I was telling my friend about it he was convinced it would come out bad because of the brush and bristles. I'm just curious what people who used the included brush or similiar think about it? Does it come out wavy and full of lines? I'm now second thinking using the included brush and maybe get a foam brush for smoother, uniform coats.

Also, while my wheels are off I also plan on cleaning up my rusty rotors. I don't want to paint these just get all the rust off and spray a couple coats of Rust-Oleum clear to prevent them from rusting. I already know to do this on the center or "hub" as I heard. I'm also wondering what else I can clear? Attached are some pictures, i'd appreciate it if someone can give me advice/suggestions for my problem. I know the surface rust goes away after a little driving, but is there any way to prevent it? Since its a majority of the rotor that rusts up it kinda kills the look. Thanks in advance and sorry for being such a n00b at brakes.

Heres what i'm talking about...

Closeup

hadboosttroy · 08-07-05, 08:09

duplicolor kit has always come out perfect with no brush marks, ive used it on the teg and the 740i. i always have done two coats though. make sure they are cleaned and wire brushed perfectly though prior to painting.

Accumulator · 08-08-05, 09:52

Good luck with this, sounds like a good project. For the hubs, I wouldn't use just clear as a) you'll have to get things awfully clean for it to look good and b) I think it'll look a lot better longer if you use a pigmented paint.

I'd hit the worst of the rust with a wire brush, then use a rust-killing prep product, then paint. Maybe even use the same stuff you use on the calipers. I hear that gray paints last longer than silver ones, but I've had silver paint on the XJS's calipers for a long time and it's held up fine.

az57chevy · 08-08-05, 08:30

Going to stainless is the only way to avoid rust IMHO