Do you provide Mobile Detailing for your customers?

**imported_jagman** · 10-02-2001, 04:19 PM

posting here as it seems this section gets the most traffic but it also has to do with `cleaning` and the `details` of the car =P

so anyway, how (if any of you have) do you get rusted calipers unrusted?

it seems sanding them down would work, but i started ... with 150 grit i think sandpaper and it was a b@#ch, so either coarser paper or there has to be another way? the reason there is rust is because the previous owner ran it in the snow and i guess did not dry everything off after he was done doing whatever... the mechanical parts of the car (engine and stuff) are in good shape... it just doesnt look like much cuz he didnt take care of that aspect. thanks.

note: this is not just spots of rust, the whole caliper has rust all over (but not rusted-through, as they say)

**Lemonxxs** · 10-02-2001, 04:29 PM

Did you try a wire brush and/or a wire wheel grinder/drill?

Also if there is that much rust and the pistons are out too far the area behind the pistons may be rusted. This means the next time you get new pads and the pistons squeezed back in the seals may be cut and leak.

If you want a good job remove them and tape up the piston and plug the ports with steel port plugs and find a bead blaster.

I do remember some chemical paints that would be painted on and remove rust over time. I think NOVEX or something.

What kind of vehicle?

**jkochis** · 10-02-2001, 04:39 PM

Another idea is to just get a new set of calipers, especially if yours are beat and have been subjected to bad conditions. Safer, one less thing to worry about, and they`ll look better.

**Cybercowboy** · 10-02-2001, 04:42 PM

You could even paint them red or something before putting them on, assuming you have wheels you could see them through. The vette guys do this all the time and it looks really cool, IMHO.

If money is the bottom line, just factor in how much you will have to mess with the old ones. Econ 101.

**Brad B** · 10-02-2001, 04:51 PM

Painting calipers is relatively easy and it makes them WAY easier to clean in the future!

Wire brush, wet/dry sandpaper and aerosol brake cleaner or denatured alcohol are all products I have successfully used to get the caliper clean. I did all 4 of the S4`s in an afternoon.

<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=781637&a=13475236&p=52880553>

**Cybercowboy** · 10-02-2001, 05:03 PM

How did you get your white circles so perfect? Just curious as I am planning on painting my calipers this winter. I would like the "Corvette" lettering on them to be as close to perfect as I can get. They are raised slightly.

I could learn a few things from you - oh wait. I have!

**texaggie1** · 10-02-2001, 05:37 PM

if you paint the raised portion first, then mask it off annd paint the main color it works good

**imported_jagman** · 10-02-2001, 06:40 PM

what`s a bead blaster?

**Lemonxxs** · 10-02-2001, 06:50 PM

A bead blaster is a device used in many fabricator shops. It has a blower, hood, and holes with those glove thingys.

You open it up, put your part in, close and latch. Crank her up. Then reach in and hold part in your hand. There is a hose in there that shoots out the beads. You aim the beads at the part to remove rust and other crud.

Consider it a small enclosed sand blaster for small parts.

We had one at my previous job in a previous life when I manufactured cranes. We would bead blast all those small parts so they would not get lost in the blast yard.

Find some local machine shops, fab shops, and maybe even small manufactures. They tend to have them. They may let you do it for free if you are nice!

Good luck!

BRAD:

That is attention to detail. Very nice? I wonder if you wax under the carpets in the car?

**imported_Brad** · 10-02-2001, 07:39 PM

The Audi rings are purpose-made vinyl stickers. Same thing used by Porsche. Don`t worry, the calipers never get hot enough to melt the stickers. It works great and is very durable.

<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=781637&a=13475236&p=52880554>

**Desertfox66** · 10-02-2001, 07:50 PM

BradB.,

I painted my calipers about 6 months ago. I used caliper paint, but it hasn`t held up as well as I had hoped. Just curious as to what you used and where you got it.

anaqron, painting the calipers is easy and inexpensive, and gives any vehicle a dressy look in my opinion. You don`t have to go with anything flashy, I used red but considered silver or black. Mine weren`t rusted but the metal was looking somewhat discolored, so painting them was a great option for me.

**imported_Brad** · 10-02-2001, 08:12 PM

I used PlastiKote brake caliper paint. WalMart carries it. Other places, too. It has held up extremely well.

<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=781637&a=13475236&p=52880544>

**imported_jagman** · 10-02-2001, 10:14 PM

hehe, i know, i`m going to paint it... that wasn`t what i was asking though... i just was wondering how you guys got rust off (painting with the rust on it is a big no no, skeptical of that NOVEX or whatever, i`d prefer getting the rust off first even if just for the peace of mind)

thanks for the replies. that was quick! :bounce

note: this reply was not aimed at saying i want more, just that the problem wasn`t in painting, i will be trying these, believe me, but just not htis very instant =/ college apps are drawing nearer

btw: it`s a 1998 subaru impreza 2.5 rs