Steve W Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 Anybody tried polishing their Calipers, rather than painting ? Seems like a couple of people have done/are doing this on i-Supra. They 'seem' to be coming up really well - more like polished ally than a mirror finish - but I like that idea rather than painting. Would like to know how long it takes (?) and if they've laquered after (are the calipers Iron/Steel or what ? Iron will tarnish VERY quick and even steel FAIRLY quick if not protected). Fat S. > > http://www.i-supra.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=154607117&f=5516058201&m=9216012241 and > > http://www.supraforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50194&highlight=polish+calipers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kindell Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 I have heard of ppl zinc plating calipers that brings them up nice and it holds up well against the dust and weather ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Pilot Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 Steve, I painted mine recently in Red and Black... Looks much better than standard......much more noticable through the wheels. I did it a bit bodge and still came out pretty decent...... You probably saw them I believe...? I still have some paint(proper stuff) you are welcome to have a go, I may be even available to join in the fun! Dom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONKEYmark Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 i tried one of my calipers got drill out with wire brush end and had a go.looked ok. what about chroming them or would that be to ricer car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted November 8, 2002 Author Share Posted November 8, 2002 Yeah, chromin' would be luverly, but, I CAN'T BE ARSED ! ! (and I'm a skinflint - polishing's cheaper:sly: ) I LUV polishin' stuff on bikes/cars (buffin' metal, NOT polishin' paintwork that is !) Just makes you feel good producing your 'own' finish.. Just wanna' make sure it's feasable, and not TOO hard. IF NOT - I'll go the paintin' way - even if it's just a nice fresh coat of black. Fat-MISER-S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 I was considering this too. I tried to wash mine through the alloy's and as you can imagine it didnt go too well. I dont know if its just dirt or if the pain has gone off the logo, but it looked a bit flakey when I tried cleaning it. Any way of recovering the design? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Pilot Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 Bobbeh, you can buy those 'supra' style stickers from a few places, I know 'FENSPORT' does em..I believe they are made for the calipers..... Dom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 Oh right, easily replacable then. Cheers Dom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONKEYmark Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 when i got my blitz de cat pipe fitted ages ago got it done at a small garage this bloke makes his own exhausts,i was quizzing him into making me a top hardpipe set in alloy he was going to do me the black plastic one that goes to turbo`s and 2 other top pipes for £150.he was showing me some alloy piping and how good it comes up.it was real dull then he put it on a buffing/grinding wheel on a rough brush then fine polished it on a soft brush and in no time at all it was a mirror finish.i have been trying to find one of these machines to do my own work. does anyone know of where you could get one,it was a floor standing unit and looked nothing to it.i got some hard circular brushes from work and had a 3/4 solid brass/copper bar to attatch them to . made it smaller on end so i could get it into drill chuck then on the 3/4 part attatch 2 brushes and will give it a try,i know its not perfect but thought if it works it will be good. my blitz pipes on fmic look crap out of the box and could do with either polishing or getting chromed for a good finish before fitting. i was thinking if you could buy a sort of grinder with 2 wheels and modify it. has anyone else had a go at alloy polishing.tried drill on calipers came up well but you could not get into tight areas,will be better off with caliper paint its always good when you can do stuff like this yourself.want little bits like rad claps chromed and them strut tower things doing under the 3 bolts doing in chrome too. might be cheesy but i also want spark plug cover chroming or spraying in a scooby blue.can you chrome plastic??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted November 9, 2002 Author Share Posted November 9, 2002 Aluminium/Alloy never comes up to a chrome-type mirror finish. It IS a 'mirror' but slightly hazy (?), BUT, you can EASILY bring it back to that finish. Chrome is a hard metal and produces a much better mirror, BUT, it's a bit harder to polish-up and, if it's a cheaper plating, is all too easy to 'polish-through' and reach the base metal (or nickel base - if it's been done a bit better !) If the calipers are ally/alloy - then they'll polish-up real easy and produce a fair finish. If they're steel/iron - they'll be much harder to polish (obviously) but should produce a better finish (some irons are a bit 'bitty') The chaps on iSupra and Supraforums seem to think front/back are made from different stuff ? [ experience = bike crankcases-alloy , mudguards/exhausts - chrome homemade sissybar - ally , homemade forward footrest bars - St/ Steel..........Stainless is probably the best overall IF you're prepared to spend a bit longer on the initial polish-up, ALMOST like chrome , STAINLESS, not 'plated' ! .......I LOVE A GOOD BIT OF STAINLESS ! ] YES plastics can be chromed - but I'm not sure if it's the 'same' type of chrome ? (a lot of bike bits are chromed plastic, side-panels, clock-backs etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted November 11, 2002 Share Posted November 11, 2002 The more you polish them, the worse the heat disappation. Polish if you like hot brakes. Personally I think they look good out of the box. If it doesn't improve performance, it ain't worth the trouble. Each to his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted November 12, 2002 Share Posted November 12, 2002 How long till it tarnishs, d'you reckon, and needs re-polishing? Kind of important because i was thinking of taking the paint of my Land Rover and polishing the whole body (aluminium) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martin F Posted November 12, 2002 Share Posted November 12, 2002 Originally posted by Bobbeh I dont know if its just dirt or if the pain has gone off the logo, but it looked a bit flakey when I tried cleaning it. Any way of recovering the design? Most likely the lacquer. It spoils the whole look of the calipers when it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Pilot Posted November 13, 2002 Share Posted November 13, 2002 Thats what was starting to happen with mine, the coating(lacquer) was just starting to crack up, so I got some 'caliper' paint at Halfrauds and here's a sample. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Pilot Posted November 13, 2002 Share Posted November 13, 2002 one more.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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