So how many cans of paint (color, logo, clear coat) are required to do a good job on four calipers? What about prep material and time spent in prep?

I'd compare the total cost of painting yourself to shop powder coating cost, ignoring piston re-seal assuming you can remove/replace the pistons/seals without damage.

I'm up in the air over this right now myself and any input folks have is appreciated.

 

I beg to differ on one process is better looking than another.... I have powder coated red sway bars and painted calipers and I seriously doubt anyone could tell the difference between the two....



As far as durability; if you clank the wheels on either when removing the wheel, both are going to chip. If you let them get so dirty the color becomes unrecognizable the painted caliper will not hold up as well when you go to clean it. If you track the car and put lots of heat in them for long periods of time neither will hold up.....

I opted for painted and have not looked back and they look great. It just depends how hard on stuff you are?

 

Oh, and if you paint them and do not use a clearcoat with hardner in it normal cleaning chemicals and for sure brake cleaner or any type of paint thinner will create a red puddle on your driveway. Here is a great product that I keep on hand all the time.....

http://www.eastwood.com/spray-max-2k...t-aerosol.html

Professional results are possible if you take your time.

 

Seems like everyone here opted for painted calipers... Do you guys brush painted or had them sprayed? If sprayed, what did you use? I have my old hobby airbrush, but I have a feeling I can't use it with anything but hobby paints.

 

I could tell that your calipers were Painted Chuck, just from the pictures.

How about these, they are dirty though.

 

^^^ I actually had mine professionally done. If your going to DYI, definitely rattle can and I would use the Eastwood clear as topcoat.

 

oh, powdercoat. definitely powdercoat!

 

I have been having the same debate myself because I can powder coat or paint. I am leaning toward paint based on what I have been reading here. I planned to reseal the calipers in either case but my time is somewhat limited and would prefer not to have the lift tied up for to long while I am at it.

Anyone know how much prep time is required for paint versus powder? I know when I powder coated my intake parts it was a royal pain but I am hoping either approach for the calipers will not be as time consuming.

 

Prep for paint will take more time to get as good as a result.

 

Since no one else was going to comment, my calipers were painted.
I doubt that short of damaging the paint that any one can tell the difference in that paint or PC.

Chuck was right that you can not tell when it is done right.

 

Found local detailing shop that does powdercoating and painting. Called them yesterday for a price quote, still waiting on them to call me back...

 

Anyone come across brake caliper covers? Apparently there are covers (plastic & metal) that go over the stock calipers.

 

And paint will always be impacted by brake fluid, even the epoxy paints I tried.

Ended up with professionally rebuilt PC'd calipers.

 

We keep powder coated S4 calipers in inventory.
All of the different versions: Raised letters version, non raised letters versions, small pistons, larger pistons, early dust seals and late dust seals (people need to specify what they have or send them, so we can match up the correct caliper.
Beautiful pieces, no excuses.
The pad plates are all removed and either replaced or cleaned and re-installed, with new hardware.
On the ones without the raised Porsche letters, the "Porsche" white letters are stenciled on (paint, not a decal) and then cleared over that. (The ones with the raised letters are also cleared over the letters.)

I'm not sure anyone does this, better than this!

 

I tried painting calipers on a couple other of my "lesser" cars and did not get this quality of results. And usually I pride myself on my spray painting.

What's the secret? Lots of coats? Or do these Porsche calipers just take well to a coat of paint?