Caliper Painting

[nelmo]

I've had a new pair of calipers delivered. They are lovely and shiny now but bare metal - should i paint them?

 

I want to anyway but what is the process - some sort of primer/undercoat first? Do i have to strip it down or can i just mask off the rubber bits? Hammerite or special paint of some sort?

[fry61]

Did ours with Hammerite Smooth Black ( other colours are available ) will probably need redoing this coming winter.

[Guest 2b cruising]

There are specialists paints available for this task, but they are expensive.

As Florin "Bob" states, hammerite smooth makes a good job.

Any colour but a dark colour is best as they get brake dust dirty very quickly.

Yes just mask over rubber and cover bleed nipple if not already done

[speedtripledan]

Look up a company called frost they do proper paint products for the job i used por15 on my engine. Not a great deal more than hammerite and is designed for the heat.

[rthomas69]

Evilbay....

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FERRARI-RED-BRAKE-CALIPER-PAINT-METAL-STEEL-ENGINE-High-Temperature-125ml-Tin-/361222703434?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item541a8d094a

[megadodo]

I've used both hammerite and "proper" caliper paint and got very similar results. The spray "proper" paint takes several coats to look good and avoiding runs, whereas hammerite (smooth) can be done in 1. Both chip off the caliper easily despite good preparation.

[fry61]

It begs the questions ---- What temperature do the calipers attain & what is a high temperature for the paint product?? Does an engine block exceed 110* C when correctly plumbed with coolant?

[speedtripledan]

http://www.frost.co.uk/por15-caliper-paint-black.html

[Guest ali2992]

I've used specific caliper paint, its no more expensive than regular paint I've found, but it chips just as easily, particularly when putting the wheels on! I'd strip them down when you paint them, particularly if they're new as you won't have to fight years of seizing like me!

[speedtripledan]

Posted twice so i have edited it, unable to delete it, always was able to pre committee days but alas no longer

Edited May 29, 2015 by DanE

[Guest 2b cruising]

B&Q BBQ gloss or mat enamel.

Works and covers very well with just one coat.

Excellent first time gloss Finnish and sticks like siht to a blanket.

As before don't strip.

If you do, don't get the teensiest bit of paint or dirt get in the bore.

[nelmo]

Ok, thanks all - so no need for a primer of any sort?

 

What is etch primer for (i keep seeing it mentioned )?

[Andi]

Foliotec.... German paint engineering.

Used this on brakes and engine block.. Never dulled or chipped in 4 years

 

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=foliatec+brake+caliper+paint

[Guest 2b cruising]

Etching primers.

You can get primers that will etch into some softer metals such as aluminium, giving you a better adhesion. These are then coverable with your preferred colour.

These primers are very dangerousness in use as they car do irreparable drama age to your skin, airways and lungs. Pulmonary system.

Never use without full protective equipment which include air fed masks.

The etch primers you buy in aerosols are not as bad as they are only designed to melt into the material your item is covered with. PPE should still be used.

To apply paint to harder metals a rough surface should be given to the metal with abrasive paper. This allows an unen area for the paint to stick to.

Casting such as your calipers should only need a thorough cleaning/degreasing as the serface is usually rough enough as is.

 

If anyone knows better especially over the use of caustic primers please put me right.

Regards Ken

Edited May 29, 2015 by 2b cruising

[Guest mower man]

A lot of after market /hi perf calipers are anodised so getting paint to stay on can be a pain , heat at road speed you can nearly discount [my op only]hammmerite or por 15 is as good as any thing unless you want to strip mask and anodise in a diffferent colour , its all bling any way mick