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Paint Brake Calipers
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:00 pm
by CCrider
I'm replacing the seals in my brake calipers and since the black paint is in poor condition, I'm thinking about painting them.
Any suggestion on the brand/type of paint to use?
Also how to de-grease them?
Thanks
Re: Paint Brake Calipers
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:50 pm
by NobleHops
CCrider wrote:I'm replacing the seals in my brake calipers and since the black paint is in poor condition, I'm thinking about painting them.
Any suggestion on the brand/type of paint to use?
Also how to de-grease them?
Thanks
I had mine blasted and powdercoated, but have not reassembled them to see if everything still fits.
That wasn't much help was it?
N.
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:18 pm
by CCrider
I was thinking about PC but thought it would be less expensive to paint and look just as good. The shop in my town must use gold plated powder cuz he sure charges enough. (Another reason to paint.)
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:00 am
by EMS
I can powdercoat your calipers inexpensively if you want to go this way.
I am out of town and return before the weekend. Send me a pm, if you want to.
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 4:51 am
by alimey4u2
Over here you can buy "Brake Caliper Paint" ? Since these open wheel alloys are now "de rigueur", the boy racers love to paint them red/green/blue or yellow & even purple...
However JC Whitney sell high temp gloss black I'm sure.... Any decent degreaser will work fine, just remember to rinse off & dry well.
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:57 am
by EMS
Eastwood sells brake caliper paint also. In a variety of colors. Red and gold, even!
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:14 am
by Jeff Bennetts
If you want to go to keep the OEM look, just scrub them with TSP mixed in hot water, then baking soda then rinse real well and blow dry with compressed air.
Block off the orifices, wipe them down with some paint thinner and paint with the Eastwood or VHT caliper paint, reassemble by wiping the inside of the bores with fresh brake fluid.
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:34 am
by steve murdoch icoa #5322
CC, the VHT caliper enamel has worked well for me on a couple of occasions. Two lights sprays with an hour curing in the oven for each coat.
It does stink up the house but works.
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:04 pm
by CCrider
Many thanks to all for their suggestions and advice. 
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 3:32 pm
by EMS
EMS wrote:I can powdercoat your calipers inexpensively if you want to go this way.
First time I powdercoated brake calipers. Turned out pretty good
Hope you will like them, John!

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 3:50 pm
by NobleHops
EMS wrote:EMS wrote:I can powdercoat your calipers inexpensively if you want to go this way.
First time I powdercoated brake calipers. Turned out pretty good
Hope you will like them, John!

Mike, I'm having a tough time getting both my fronts to seal at the banjo, post powdercoat. Fresh washers, etc. I'm gonna resort to taking them off next and see if something is amiss on the seat of the banjo bolt hole.
Mine look like yours do, a little more rounded on the edges, but certainly clean and shiny!

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:10 pm
by EMS
Have you thoroughly checked the seat face? Was it properly masked? Maybe the blasting has done some damage
If push comes to shove, get some washers from Harley Davidson that fit. Theirs have a small strip of neoprene molded to the washer which helps sealing.
Watch your brake fluid

If you use DOT3, DOT4 or DOT5a, it WILL attack the finish. Most powdercoat is polyurethane based and it is not resistant to mineral brake fluids, contrary to common belief.

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 5:20 pm
by NobleHops
EMS wrote:Have you thoroughly checked the seat face? Was it properly masked? Maybe the blasting has done some damage
If push comes to shove, get some washers from Harley Davidson that fit. Theirs have a small strip of neoprene molded to the washer which helps sealing.
Watch your brake fluid

If you use DOT3, DOT4 or DOT5a, it WILL attack the finish. Most powdercoat is polyurethane based and it is not resistant to mineral brake fluids, contrary to common belief.

I will investigate the faces tonight, that's my main theory too. Cool tip re the Harley washers, I'll remember that!
N.