Painting Your Own Brake Calipers

[samg1965]

Three coats of primer, then three coats gold flake....

[samg1965]

Three coats primer... three gold flake... two anodized blue... three clear....

[samg1965]

Can you tell the difference in shades between the two calipers? The "anodized blue" paint is a translucent color intended to be painted over a chrome finish for a metallic effect. Since my calipers aren't chromed, I painted over a gold flake instead. The first picture was my first try with the front caliper. I applied too many coats of blue which didn't produce that anodized effect with gold flake gleaming through. The second picture is the rear caliper where I only applied two coats of blue with better results. I read somewhere that applying these colors and clear is like drinking beer.... you've applied the right amount, but will be tempted for one more coat. Just like beer, that one more will be too many!!!!

[CoBeerToad]

With no prior painting experience, I did mine with a Porsche decal I found on ebay or amazon. I left the caliper connected and I was replacing my discs at the same time, so I didn't have to mask those off.

I took my time and sanded and cleaned them well. Taped off the lines and such. Several coats of red, then a couple coats of clear coat. (Both VHT bought on one of those websites). I don't remember if I put the decal on before the clear coat. I think I did.

Anyway, from a distance, they look amazing. When you get up close, not terrible, but not perfect either. I'm OK with it being my first time painting anything.

Once I figure out how to make a .png into a .jpg, I can post some pics.

[CoBeerToad]

[samg1965]

Originally Posted by CoBeerToad

With no prior painting experience, I did mine with a Porsche decal I found on ebay or amazon. I left the caliper connected and I was replacing my discs at the same time, so I didn't have to mask those off.

I took my time and sanded and cleaned them well. Taped off the lines and such. Several coats of red, then a couple coats of clear coat. (Both VHT bought on one of those websites). I don't remember if I put the decal on before the clear coat. I think I did.

Anyway, from a distance, they look amazing. When you get up close, not terrible, but not perfect either. I'm OK with it being my first time painting anything.

Once I figure out how to make a .png into a .jpg, I can post some pics.

That looks good and I intend to add the decals as well.

[samg1965]

Originally Posted by CoBeerToad

With no prior painting experience, I did mine with a Porsche decal I found on ebay or amazon. I left the caliper connected and I was replacing my discs at the same time, so I didn't have to mask those off.

I took my time and sanded and cleaned them well. Taped off the lines and such. Several coats of red, then a couple coats of clear coat. (Both VHT bought on one of those websites). I don't remember if I put the decal on before the clear coat. I think I did.

Anyway, from a distance, they look amazing. When you get up close, not terrible, but not perfect either. I'm OK with it being my first time painting anything.

Once I figure out how to make a .png into a .jpg, I can post some pics.

How long did you allow yours to cure before driving it???