Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Paint calibers w/o removing????

Can you paint your front brake calibers with out removing them? I really don't fell like clamping off and bleeding the brakes.

It can be done, but by the time you clean and mask with the calipers in place you may wish that you would have just removed them anyway. It is just not that hard of a job to bleed the brakes. Many have done what they think is an acceptable job without removing them, while others have reported that they did not obtain an accptable job working around the rotors and pads.

If you do decide to paint them in place, clean them up carefully with brake clean spray and a small wire brush (the size of a tooth brush). Mask off the stuff you don't want painted with rags, paper towels, newspaper, and/or masking tape. Make sure that you sue paint that is up to the task. It should be at least hi temp paint and preferably brake caliper paint.

I just sprayed the paint into a small container and brushed it on. No masking necessary and you get better control. Possibly a bit faster. But does not go on as heavily and you need to clean the brush frequently. Make sure you clean your calipers well before painting. Look at my pics (in sig) for results.

I did the same as THECONTOURGUY about four months ago. I cleaned the calipers with alcohol and a wire brush. I used high temp spray paint, I just sprayed it into the can's cap and used a brush. Yes, I had to clean the brush often. But the paint is so thin, It is starting to chip off.
USE SOMETHING THICKER THAN SPRAYPAINT!!!

JSmith -- I used high-temp brake caliper paint. It is not flaking off after nearly 6 months. What type of paint did you use?

I painted all four of my calipers without removing them. Just follow what BigJim suggested and mask everything off. I used brake cleaner to clean everything off. Make sure you get ALL of the brake dust off before you do this. I used high temp paint from PEP BOYS. I think they look great. Obviously if you dont take them off it's hard or impossible to get all the way around the calipers but who's gonna see the backside. If you were doing this for a show car you wouldnt have asked if you need to take them off. Leave 'em on. It's 20min's versus 2 hours. And if you buy spray paint, spray it, that's what it is designed for unless you are really handy with a paint brush it will go on smoother and look neater if you spray it. Good luck.

its a brake caliPer not a caliber!! Man that drives me nuts!!

Done this one as well. Tape everything up (especially all the rubber hoses, caps, etc.), and grab some caliper paint (VHT is a good brand found at auto stores, jcwhitney.com, etc.) The main thing to remember is to tape some old bedsheets to the ENTIRE side of your quarter panel, doors, hood, top and trunk. A light wind and overspray can carry a long ways...

For best results, make sure you do it when it's hot outside and put around 5-6 coats on the calipers. Paint one coat, wait about 20 minutes, then paint another coat. It really gives you a nice, deep glossy look on your calipers, and one that you won't have to touch up for quite some time.

Good luck.

I painted mine just like JaTo did. It came out nice.
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