How do you clean painted calipers?

[jlfrogy]

I painted my calipers about a year ago and i`ll admit i`ve neglected cleaning them but I still need help. They look really crummy now. I tried a brake parts cleaner and the pressure washer at the car wash but it only helped a little. I would appreciate some suggestions. thanks all.

[imported_BretFraz]

*Safely jack up car on all four corners

*Remove wheels/tires

*Clean calipers by hand (might as well do the wheelwells while you`re at it)

*Remount wheels/tires

*Lower car

[imported_Todd]

If you painted your calipers with VHT or other low cost, spray can-type high temperature paint, it`s not surprising that they`ll have a dull finish with spotchy black staining from baked-on brake dust.



I`ve always used Folia Tec`s brake caliper lacquer paint. It`s durable and remains glossy for years.



Here`s my 2001 Integra Type R:

http://home.earthlink.net/~ouanod/TypeRbrakespainted1.jpg

[AMP01]

Dean,



That is one CLEAN wheel and brake caliper! :bow :bow :bow Sweet!



Cheers,

[stilez]

I used Duplicolor`s Hi-Temp Engine Paint on my calipers. They have remained rather glossy and clean. I change my rims/kit/spoiler/etc back to OEM for winter. Here`s what they look like during warmer months.



http://mywebspace.quinnipiac.edu/stbusch/DSC00586.JPG



Here`s what they look like during the colder months.



http://mywebspace.quinnipiac.edu/stbusch/DSC00830.JPG



I clean them by usually just spraying a Bug & Tar Remover (Gliptone) on them and cleaning them with a wash mitt. When they are less accessible, I spray Simple Green on them, let sit for 5 mins, then rinse off. It really keeps them quite clean.



I will be spraying another coat of Red on when I change the rims back in March. I will also be using 2 coats of Hi-Temp Clearcoat. I would reccomend doing that for extra protection.

[Jesstzn]

I did mine in March of last year and I used "cheap" Plast-Kote Caliper paint on a VW that is bad for dusting. Only cleaning is with a wash mitt as I do the wheels. They look the same today as in March. No brake dust.. stains .. nothing .. $$$ doesn`t always mean results. When I change over to the summer wheels I`ll wipe down with prepsol and put another coat on out of convenience.





http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/12805paintwheel2-med.jpg