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2000firebird
09-22-2007, 11:21 PM
finally got to work on installing my pads myself because none of my friends could help me but it really wasn`t hard like i thought it would be. still took me a while to figure it all out though. figured since i had both ends of the car up on jackstands with the calipers off that i might as well go and paint them! i had purchased a duplicolor caliper painting kit about a year prior but never used it.







so i got it out and went to work. first i sprayed the cleaner then tried some dry sanding to get as much rust off as i could then went to painting. did a few layers of paint, then taped everything off (got a little crazy, took like 20 mins a side) then went with like 3-4 layers of clearcoat per corner. hopefully it holds up because what a load of work!







unfortunately as nice as these look now the rest of the car is still filthy including the wheels, and i didn`t want to wash it yet and get everything wet until the pads were broken in and i was sure the paint could cure right as well.







also, i noticed inside the caliper pistons they had alot of rust and rusted pieces were cracking off and falling out.. it also left a nice imprint on the back of one of the pads. is this something that is normal? or is it from water entering the piston when it shouldn`t of. also had some strange `smear` marks on the rotors, tried wiping them off but it didn`t go away.







well heres the pics, enjoy!





hawk ceramics.. good while they lasted



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/ebc%20pads/100_1218.jpg







new ebc redstuff vs old.



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/ebc%20pads/100_1222.jpg







test fit.. pointing out the strange spots, and the evil stock shocks with 127k :grinno:



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/ebc%20pads/100_1224.jpg







getting the calipers painted (by brush)



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/ebc%20pads/100_1230.jpg







painting caliper bracket and rotors



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/ebc%20pads/100_1233.jpg





getting ready for the clearcoat



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/ebc%20pads/100_1240.jpg





finished product



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/ebc%20pads/100_1252.jpg





http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/ebc%20pads/100_1257.jpg





http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/ebc%20pads/100_1259.jpg
SpoiledMan
09-22-2007, 11:26 PM
Looks much better and I need to be doing the same thing. Where did you purchase the paint kit?
Pb2theMax
09-22-2007, 11:40 PM
Why didn`t you get the rotors resurfaced? You need a good flat surface for those new pads. I get my rotors and drums turned at NAPA for about $20 a pair.
mr.ikon
09-22-2007, 11:42 PM
or just get some new rotors for 20 bucks a piece.
stiffdogg06
09-22-2007, 11:46 PM
I got Brembo Blanks and they are like cheap as hell. Worth to update when needed.



Wonder how these pads compare to the Hawk`s. I use the HPS pads and I love `em
Pb2theMax
09-22-2007, 11:48 PM
I get performance rotors and pads online for less money than what a brake shop wants for their mediocre rotors and pads.



Right now I`m running slotted EBC rotors with Hawk ceramic pads and I`m happy with em.



Sorry for the thread hijack.
2000firebird
09-23-2007, 12:11 AM
the paint kit was a duplicolor caliper kit i got off the shelf at murrays or autozone for like $15 bucks.

the cheapest non-drilled rotor i could find for my car was like $80 each :(

i found the brembo blanks for 55 each on tirerack but thats still more than i have to spend right now :sadpace:



you think id have a good comparison between the hawk ceramics and ebc ceramics because ive tried both but only thing is i had driven on thoes worn down hawks for like 5k miles so i had completely forgotten how good they used to be.. so the new ones feel like they obliterate the old ones.
Ralliart16
09-23-2007, 01:08 AM
good job. Not sure if clear coating them is really necessary though. The dupli-color caliper paint is alright, its a little watery though
imported_artikxscout
09-23-2007, 01:25 AM
I`d check with autozone and go with their duralast brand, full lifetime warranty pretty much. I would not have recommended at all to paint the brake pads at all, but i guess it should be fine. Brakes are something that i wouldn`t want to mess with. On my e36 m3, I love using the Axxis / PDG Ultimates, the ceramics. they`re about 70 for both front and back for me.



I painted my calipers red, but never got around to putting a clearcoat. Does it actually make it look nicer?



Otherwise, great job! I don`t think painting the hub was necessary though! Good luck, and the rotors should be around 40 for both.
derek collier
09-23-2007, 01:38 AM
i just painted my calipers also. there was really no need in taping off the rotor, the second that you hit the brakes, the paint will come off....just a tip
POPPAJ
09-23-2007, 05:28 AM
If any of the newly painted area on the rotor comes in contact with your wheel it should be given a light coat of anti-seize or the wheel will be a bugger to get off next time. Nice job, looks great!!
BigJimZ28
09-23-2007, 10:19 AM
I`d check with autozone and go with their duralast brand, full lifetime warranty pretty much. I would not have recommended at all to paint the brake pads at all, but i guess it should be fine. Brakes are something that i wouldn`t want to mess with. On my e36 m3, I love using the Axxis / PDG Ultimates, the ceramics. they`re about 70 for both front and back for me.



I painted my calipers red, but never got around to putting a clearcoat. Does it actually make it look nicer?



Otherwise, great job! I don`t think painting the hub was necessary though! Good luck, and the rotors should be around 40 for both.



I don`t think he painted the pads that how they come







2X the Autozone rotor are great and cheap!



you need to have the rotors turned or replaced because those spots

will chew up your new pads in no time



I have not used the red stuff pads but the hawks are much better then the green stuff
2000firebird
09-23-2007, 11:04 AM
thanks everyone!



and yeah the EBC redstuff pads actually came painted that color already heres their lineup

EBC Brakes - Home of the worlds largest range of brake products - Automotive Product Selector (http://www.ebcbrakes.com/automotive.html)

great pads so far
littlemissGTO
09-23-2007, 11:05 AM
Let me know how you like the Red Stuff`s. I`ve got a set waiting to go onto my GTO. Great work on painting your calipers. Luckily mine came painted.
JasonD
09-23-2007, 11:55 AM
2000firebird,



Those "smears" you are seeing on your brake rotors are called "hot spots" and are caused by severe heat conditions under hard braking. You would be absolutely amazed at how hot your brakes get during normal operation, let alone how hot they get when being beat on.



From the looks of those hot spots, your rotors are more than likely warped, and need to be turned/machined right away, or you may actually reduce the life and effectiveness of your new pads.



In general, it is always necessary to either use new rotors or have your old ones turned. All new pads require a proper break-in procedure to assure proper mating between the pad and rotor surfaces. If you don`t, you could "glaze" the pads and this will reduce the performance of the pads severely.



The rust on the back of the old pads is normal, especially if you live in an area with high humidity, or salty conditions. To prevent this, you can apply a light coat of axle grease to the backside of the pads prior to installation. Speaking of grease, you should have lubricated all of the contact points of the pads to make sure the pads float freely like they are supposed to.