hamah

Not only are my seats tired but also the finish on my calipers. The finish is peeling off and it's time to refinish them. i've been poking around and pondering the various options of:

-clean and repaint as a DIY job (meh..sounds messy and with a high % chance of fail)
-have them painted (the shop I have used in the past does new Brembo's at $600 for the Lambo, Ferrari crowd but figure with the extra prep of these old callipers I'd be looking at around $800 ... ouch)
-have them powder coated (the same paint guy has friend that had his 993 calipers powder coated in CA for $1000 but that included a full rebuild and new seals etc.)

Thoughts?

Vandit

I'm going to refinish (not rebuild) mine soon. I already bought the VHT brake caliper paint in red and clearcoat plus some decals on eBay. I've seen discussions on here about it and it isn't too bad. The key is baking the calipers in your oven to cure the paint before you put them back on the car.

The cost of supplies is less than $50 plus your sweat equity.

In my opinion, it really beats paying hundreds to have them professionally refinished. A friend of mine who tracks a bunch has told me powder coating calipers can affect heat dissipation, but I'm not sure if you drive/track hard enough for that to matter

Even if you do need to rebuild them, the supplies aren't expensive and there's at least one really great YouTube video that I've seen in the past that shows you how to do it, step-by-step.

LouZ

I used a 2-part epoxy which worked out great. It goes on easily, and is self leveling. With the 2-part, I got a very hard and durable finish.

http://www.g2usa.com/category/G2-Bra...per-Paint.html

The trick is to portion out both the paint and hardener to the amount that you would use.

I also bought a stencil kit on ebay. It is stuck on and you spray white paint thru the cutout. Finally finish with a clearcoat over the logo and stand back and admire!

Mr.Alex

I'm planning to just tape them off, sand, primer, paint, and clear.

LouZ

I tried that the first time....once the brakes got HOT, the paint went from red to brown. So, after a good deal of paint stripper, I went with the epoxy caliper kit.

hamah

I don't drive the car hard at all so I'd not be particularly worried about heat issues. (someone told me they thought Porsche powder coated them new...I dunno)

I am concerned about the prep. It will no doubt be messy and it would be critical no matter which paint (UHT or epoxy) used that the surface be absolutely clean. If I did it I'd at least remove the cross-over pipe and bleed nipples and plug with bolts (maybe even a full disassembly but I've heard it can be easy to get leaks afterwards if not done properly).

I've got the stock little brakes and will be staying with the stock gloss black look. Do these guys have the Porsche painted or in raised letters and bare metal? I can't remember and I've got my car stored for the winter so I can't run out to take a look at them. If the former I guess those decals would do the trick and if the later a good sanding after refinishing.

I'm still concerned about the mess though. I just got off the phone with a buddy that suggested cleaning with oven cleaner to remove the pad dust and then industrial paint stripper to remove the old finish. Alternatively could/should they be bead/sand blasted?

I found this service in the UK. Anyone have any knowledge of them? Is there anyone on this side of the pond that offers a similar exchange service?

NorthVanSlowLane

Steve. Have you looked t the "Renewz" place down on Esplenade in North Van? They advertise a high quality caliper paint.

Vandit

Lots of discussion on here, and lots of different approaches/instructions to get to the same basic result.

Set of instructions
https://rennlist.com/forums/concours...r-repaint.html

Some step-by-step photos
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-top-hats.html

Lots of pics, steps, discussion around painting calipers
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...pers-pics.html

Another thread w/ pics and discussion
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-calipers.html

More painting discussion
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...-calipers.html

Some OCD-level, like-new caliper rebuilding + powder coating + all new hardware
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...oject-cpp.html

More painting
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-turb...er-refurb.html

hamah

I hadn't heard of them. No luck googling them either. Do you have an address or phone or something? I asssume they must be down near the junction with the Low Level Rd.

Thanks Vandit. I've seen some of those links but there is some more reading to do.

NorthVanSlowLane

Here's the link to the website.

He'll do them for $40/caliper if you bring them more/less ready to. I get the sense this is negotiable if they are in good shape.

gohttp://renewzwheelrefinishing.com/brake-caliper-painting/

hamah

Thanks. Didn't know they were around. I've always gone out to Nubrite or Greens for wheel work and these guys would be a lot closer if they are good.

Vandit I've seen some pretty positive reviews on that G2 epoxy paint. Maybe it's worth doing. Could always go the professional route if the results were not up to snuff.

Lemass Automotive

I always use normal automotive primer and paint

Never had a problem with fading or peeling.

I find paintstripper and then a good sand down works best. It's also most cost effective.

Shot/soda blasting would be my second choice.

Vandit

Guys, random question, but does anyone know what size & thread pitch bolts do I need to plug off the brake line and bleed nipple holes for when I do my prep/paint?

jimq

just tape over them. I just stuck a piece paper towel in the main brake line hole. The common line was taped over as well as the nipples.

Vandit

Looks like I should have checked the 993 thread where I asked recently.

10mm x 1.0pitch bolt works