Kevin in Atlanta

Back to the brush method or perhaps duplicolor ceramic caliper spray paint.

Rob Edwards

I don't think brushing is ever going to work well for smooth metal surfaces, and that spraying calipers is the way to do it.

I had to do it all over again (and I should, on the GT...) I'd strip, prep and mask them myself and then take them to the nearest body shop and let them spray them.

I'm just an n of 1, and like I said, I can't paint for ****. It would be worth hearing from others their 'tricks' for getting a good result.

AO

I sprayed mine and couldn't be happier. Here's my write up. I used VHT and it has held up very well.

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...oot-whoot.html

Kevin in Atlanta

I want to do these on the car - That rules out VHT.

AO

You really should take them off to get good results. It doesn't take long and it's a good opportunity to flush your brake fluid.

You can spray in situ, but you need to mask everything off. You also need to get EVERY spec of brake dust off, or the new paint will not adhere correctly. You can try dousing with brake clean, but to do it right and have them look good, you should take them off and strip them. Voice of experience talking here.

Bertrand Daoust

+1 on removing them from the car.
Will do a better job for sure.
Here's mine. VHT paint and vinyl lettering.

Tom in Austin

Bertrand, what color/mfg is that exactly?

Bertrand Daoust

Tom,
It's a caliper paint from VHT.
And the color is CSP731 Real Red.
By the way, the paint color is brighter than the cap color!

Edit: Just thought about it and I also put few coats of VHT high temp clear too.

dr bob

What's the consensus on painting the through bolts and the crossover pipe? Mine aren't painted from the factory, but it looks like most folks just spray them caliper color when refinishing.

Rob Edwards

I went to great pains to mask off the through bolts and crossover pipes. More recently I got to play with a new set of GTS calipers and everything except the bleed nipples and the pad plates and spring was painted black:

rgs944

I will be doing mine on in the next few days as well. I did a pretty quick job last year when I painted them red but that was with the D90's. With the Turbo twist I need a better job. I think a good job can be achieved with them on the car and it is all in the prep. Take your time and get everthing spotless. I would start with a degreaser and strong parts scrub brush. Rinse well after you wash a few times. Then go to the sanding with 220 with paying close attention to make sure everything gets scuffed up well. Then finish with xylene thinner using the parts brush and rags to make double sure no grease dirt, or sanding dust is left. Then use the spray caliper paint of your choice and high temp clear coat. After that it is like anything, keep it clean and it will look good for a long time. As long as the paint has a very clean and rough surface to stick to it will last. For the lettering I just polished the raised lettering.

Rob Edwards

I disagree 50%- I agree that it's all in the prep, but trying to do them on the car is just going to make for a crappy outcome. Brake calipers are FILTHY with brake dust- even with them lying on the driveway, hitting them over and over with a pressure washer, brake dust comes pouring out of them for a long time.

I don't understand why anyone would try to do this on the car- you still have to lift the car, 'cause the wheel's coming off. Removing each caliper is a 10 minute job at most - 2 hex bolts and an 11 brake line fitting. Yes, you have to re-bleed the brakes, but that's an annual to biennial maintenance item anyway. I would argue that trying to do all the cleaning, masking, and spraying with your head stuck in a wheelwell is a lot more work than just pulling them and doing them on the bench.

You painted them last year, and now you're painting them again? Do it right, do it once! (Just be better at painting than me.... )

My $09.28.

Gary Knox

I fully agree with Rob in the comments above. I DID paint mine with a brush, using the epoxy paint. Turned out great, but lots of prep to get them ready. I've now had them on the cars for over a year (did both the S4 and GTS, F & R). Cleaned many times with brake cleaner, etc. They both still look as good as the day I installed them. And, as you can imagine, the track brakes get LOTS of dust, and very high temps as well. Well worth the extra time and effort as far as I was concerned (several previous sprays with high temp paint on and off car - track usage "killed" the appearance. Street looked OK after a year, but continued to deteriorate in appearance with time).

That's my experience.

Gary

Bertrand Daoust

Bob,
Both the through bolts and crossover pipe were paint black on mine from factory.
1991 S4.

rgs944

Good suggestions and I might take them off but I will decide tommorow. I actually need to do them again only because I did a quick job the first time on this car. On the 968 I did a lot better job and they still look good almost 3 years later. Not a lot of miles though and I keep them clean.