Painting calipers

Jngrbrdman

Jngrbrdman

New member
I know I've seen threads on this before. I'm having a hard time finding them though. The first thing I'm going to do in my new garage is to paint my calipers and I don't want to screw it up. If anyone knows where to find those threads then that would be helpful. Or even if you want to offer some advice. I am really interested in knowing how to mask them off properly and not make it look like a cheap job. I've got nothing but time on Saturdays and Sundays so I'm ok with taking my time on it. I want it to look real good. Also if you have any suggestions for color. Its just a white car with silver rims. I was thinking about going just gloss black but that is subject to change.
 
Those were very helpful links. Thanks!



Do you guys think that painting them white would be a mistake? How fast do you think they would go from "Boy, that is sure a nice looking setup you have there" to "Damn boy! Wash your calipers!" I'd like to do them white but if they are going to get dirty 30 minutes after I wash them then forget it. I'll just go black. Right now they are sort of a goldish color it looks like. Anything will be an improvement. Maybe David can make some small 'AUTOPIA' stickers for calipers while he is getting the gear together. ;) I'd proudly put it on my car. I think it look cool. lol
 
If you plan on painting them "off of" the car using a kit like G2 or Foliatech then masking would not be an issue for you. If you plan on painting them in place by spraying then your whole approach would have to be different. I would say if you like white then go for it, you might have good luck with it depending on your wheel cleaning frequency, driving\braking habits etc...

I did mine metallic silver for uniformity between the wheel and rotor instead of black or red after wondering about the dust issue as well but I like it so far and all three components pretty much dust up evenly. I think white if nothing else could prove to be a challenge in keeping them looking white or not be an issue if you clean your wheels every three or four days, good luck
 
Ive seen white calipers, they look dope, but they will look dirty after a while, you will need to scrub them often......but that´s no threat to an autopian!!!:bounce





Whatever you do, you can do it in the car, but remove the brake pad, it is simple, it is done by loosening the lower caliper bolt, then you flip the caliper upwards, and remove the pad.....then use some newspapers to cover up the brake disc and suspension, and use some msasking tape for the brake lines, fittings, bolts, etc....
 
What problems can happen if I don't take the brake pad off? Can't I just mask it? I'm pretty handy under the hood but brakes and suspension always make me nervous. I worry that I won't be able to put them back together.
 
It's been my personal experience that messing around with disc brakes are easier than a lot of jobs under the hood. I hate drum brakes though. :mad:



Tip: make sure when you re-assemble you either put back the anti-squeal pads between the pad and piston/caliper or goop more anti-squeal stuff on there first.
 
Jngrbrdman said:
What problems can happen if I don't take the brake pad off? Can't I just mask it? I'm pretty handy under the hood but brakes and suspension always make me nervous. I worry that I won't be able to put them back together.
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Men, it´s eaaaaaasy!

Only one bolt, and you slide the caliper upwards, then, the brake pads come off, that´s it! Once you remove the brake pads, you can also remove a small metal piece that goes in the pad groove for further oem look!



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This is what mines look like, it has chipped while installing my 14" steelies for the track........it sucks.....
 
On a scale of 1 to 10 (one being an intake install and 10 being a turbo install) how would you rate changing your rotors and upgrading your calipers and pads? I was thinking of changing the rotors first and then getting the calipers changed. I love the look of slotted rotors and was looking for good deals. I've found a few places that look good. :)
 
It took me and a friend less then a hour and a half to install my 13inch bear brakes. That included draing fluid, changing lines etc..



-Antonio
 
I´d say its a 5........the most difficult part could be bleeding the brake lines, makng sure no air stays on the lines......



the rest, is only 2 phillip screws, two 12mm bolts, and 2 17mm bolts......thats it period!
 
If you're getting bigger calipers or bigger rotors, first make sure your wheels are big enough or spaced right to fit them if you haven't done so already.
 
If I just changed the rotors first and then did the brakes later could I use the stock calipers and pads for awhile? Changing rotors isn't that hard I don't think. I used to work in the Auto Center at Sears. I was in tires but I watched them change rotors all day. I am really kicking myself for not wanting to know how to do that. I just want that area of the car to look really nice. I want the added stopping power too but its the 'show' part that I'm going for mainly I think.
 
Unless you are wanting to put oversize rotors on, yes. Just be aware that when you change calipers and pads later, the rotors will need to be turned down, reducing their lifespan. You should use new pads either way. Your pads have worn into the rotors on the car now. Replacing the rotors and not the pads will result in a LOSS of surface area contact between the rotor and pad. This will reduce braking performance and could be dangerous.



If it were me, I would either wait till I needed a brake job, or do it all at once. I would want to get the maximum life out of my rotors, and an early turn would not help.
 
That is excellent information!! I think I'll do that. Wow. Thanks for the help guys. :) I feel dumb and yet I feel smart at the same time. At least I wasn't dumb enough not to ask, eh? Thanks again for the help. It wasn't laid on deaf ears. :xyxthumbs
 
I'd go with black- I had mine done by a paint shop I know ( off the car) It provides a nice contrast with the disc without being too "showy"

My car is silver grey

Peter
 
If you upgrade to a larger diameter rotor you won't be able to use your OE calipers, (if I read your post correctly). You might also have to go with bigger wheels and possibly a change in offset as 4DSC said depending on thickness of the upgraded rotor and what your specs are now. www.carparts.com has a good deal on slotted rotors and if you register they give periodic discounts.
 
Yes, you can, theres a AEM big brake kit for hondas and acuras, which relocate the OEM caliper with a larger disc.....



But it´s a POS anyways.....



If you want more braking power, look into wilwood big brake kits.....



If you want some better looks, get some cross drilled/slotted rotors and some performance pads....



HTH
 
Piece of cake! And you can get excellent results without disassembling the whole system. I did mine with masking and just removing the pads.

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