Painting Calipers: Professional? Or Do It Yourself?

**BlackRT313** · 10-09-2009, 01:02 AM

I was wondering is it better to get brake calipers professionally painted or simply do it myself. I was thinking that it might look better and last longer if someone professional does. Has anyone had their calipers painted at a bodyshop? Am I just simply better off doing them myself? If I try to do them myself should I take them off first? Has anyone painted the wheel hub too? What would be the best approach to this?

**05silvhemimag** · 10-09-2009, 01:21 AM

i just did it myself to save money and plus i do everything on the car myself just me, but yea people have prob painted the hub black but i dont think anyone has painted it red or anything i wouldnt think unless the wheel is red or blue, ect... but yea if you dont have painting experience then yea if you dont feel confortable doing it then take it to a profesional, but dont waste your money if your going to buy a brake up grade like bembos or baer brakes cus they are already painted and you might as well paint the stock units yourself if your going to upgrade, also you can get caliper paint at oryllies...

**Tagman** · 10-09-2009, 10:42 AM

Not that hard to do yourself and they should last a long time if done right. If you wanted to get them done by a pro, I would suggest skipping paint and get them powdercoated.

When I did mine I took them completely off, separated the caliper pieces, used a wire wheel to clean them real good, and sprayed several layers of caliper paint. Was a two day process as I wanted to let them dry between coats and wanted several coats. Not something you can rush and now that the weather is getting cooler, will take longer to dry. Also, I did the caps of the rotors.

But, if you do take them off, just be aware that you WILL lose some brake fluid and you WILL have to bleed your brakes. And that brake fluid WILL take off the paint if you spill some on your nicely painted calipers/rotors. Also, you should get new copper washers for the brake lines.

You don't have to take them completely off the car to paint them, but I felt this was the best way to get them cleaned properly and I was able to completely paint all the surfaces of each piece.

You could just remove the calipers from the rotors, remove the brake pads, disassemble the caliper and adapter. The caliper will still be attached to the brake line so take care not to twist of put any strain on the line.

Sounds like a lot of work and could be a bit intimidating, but just take it slow and easy and take it one step at a time.

**Super T** · 10-09-2009, 10:51 AM

Wire wheel and brush and some brake cleaner to clean them really well, some good high-heat primer, and high-heat paint, and you're good.

**fireman2118** · 10-09-2009, 11:05 AM

Or you could get the MGP caliper covers.

**jagger** · 10-09-2009, 04:27 PM

ANy idea of the mgp covers will work with 22" wheels. They look great, little pricey, but look great!

**SoCalRT** · 10-09-2009, 05:32 PM

Or you could polish them....

**NWH_300C** · 10-09-2009, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by SoCalRT

Or you could polish them....

thats what im doing tomorrow, any tips?

**bac n black** · 10-09-2009, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by jagger

ANy idea of the mgp covers will work with 22" wheels. They look great, little pricey, but look great!

Wheel size has no bearing, they will fit. You can even color match them.

**SoCalRT** · 10-10-2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by NWH_300C

thats what im doing tomorrow, any tips?

I started with files and ScotchGaurd pads on a die-rinder and worked up to 2000 wet-dry sandpaper and finished it off with the PowerBall and billet polish....

**BlackRT313** · 10-10-2009, 11:15 AM

How did it take you to polish them? Did you clear them after after?

**BlackRT313** · 10-12-2009, 02:05 AM

Has anyone painted the rotor hubs black and the calipers red?

**Prospector** · 10-12-2009, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by BlackRT313

Has anyone painted the rotor hubs black and the calipers red?

You're not talking about painting the rotors themselves are you?

**BlackRT313** · 10-12-2009, 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by Prospector

You're not talking about painting the rotors themselves are you?

No just the wheel hubs where the rims connect and the top of the rotors where the brake pad doesn't meet.

**07RT** · 10-12-2009, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by Tagman

You could just remove the calipers from the rotors, remove the brake pads, disassemble the caliper and adapter. The caliper will still be attached to the brake line so take care not to twist of put any strain on the line.

That's what I did and it came out great. I bought a brush-on kit that came with a can of brake-kleen and a cheesy little brush. The results were good, but it was a hassle to do with the brush.

If I had to do over I would use the spray can version.