caliper repaint... A few questions...

[neo2810]

Right, I've finally got around to painting my calipers, almost... Before the heavens opened on me this evening forcing me to scurry inside back to the wife (that's not a decision I take lightly), I started to prep one of the wheels.

 

The calipers are all fairly old and rusting so I need to clean them up before painting. I have a few wire brushes (big, small, silver, gold, black, god knows what they are all for), a few paintbrushes of various sizes, mostly because the nice man at Maxwells saw me coming a mile off, a tin of red and a tin of black Hammerite smooth. Now the core of the disk (part that the wheel bolts attached) is quite rusty as well so I'm going to paint those black just to finish it off. The calipers will be red.

I'm also not planning on taking them off the wheels since I don't see the point of painting bits no-one else will see (and I'm damn lazy)...

 

Apologies for the diatribe, but thought I'd set the scene.

 

Onto the questions:

 

- To clean the calipers and the disk core, all I'm doing is hammering them with the wire brush and jetwashing intermittently. I do then plan on using some emery cloth and STP brake cleaner but at what point do I consider them clean enough to commence painting? Is it sufficient to just remove the loose rust and dust then paint over that, or do you have to make sure you remove every little bit of orange rusty colour to get back to the bare metal? (Surely not, I'll be there for weeks!)

Also, it's pretty hard to get into the nooks with the emery cloth to remove dust so how vital is it to be thorough?

- Must I avoid painting over the clips on the visible side?

- Will using a heat gun at 130deg help dry the paint quicker so I don't have to wait 24 hours to use the car? If so, how long should the gun be blasting and how long after do you leave to air dry further?

- Once painted (considering i don't remove the calipers) should I use any sort of grease, and where if so?

- What is best to use to lacquer over the decals once fitted?

 

All help/advice is much appreciated

Edited July 14, 2010 by neo2810 (see edit history)

[jevansio]

I found that to get the best results you need to do it in thin coats, apply too much in one go & it just runs, I waited about an hour inbetween each coat & did 4 coats, I don't think there'd be anything stopping you doing that over a number of days though

[neo2810]

I found that to get the best results you need to do it in thin coats, apply too much in one go & it just runs, I waited about an hour inbetween each coat & did 4 coats, I don't think there'd be anything stopping you doing that over a number of days though

 

Thanks mate, I tend to be ok painting but thin coats is a good shout. I usually find you only need about 15-20 mins between coats.

[merckx]

Now the core of the disk (part that the wheel bolts attached) is quite rusty as well so I'm going to paint those black just to finish it off.

 

I used barbecue paint, matt black so it doesn't look chavy and it's very durable.

 

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_169403_langId_-1_categoryId_165495

[Stonkin]

If your going to be applying multiple coats with hammerite (you will want at least 2 or 3) you should be applying additional coats within 4 - 8 hours from the last. Not when they are completely dry. I'm sure it says this on the tin.

 

I would also let them dry naturally rather than trying to heat them to speed things up. Once crap gets stuck to them you will not get it off. Have patience and you'll be left with a better result

[Scott]

My advice would be pretty much as above.

 

You need hours between coats of Hammerite, it is really hard stuff once cured but it needs to be allowed to cure properly - Do not use a heat gun.

 

You only need to remove surface/loose rust from the metal before going on with the hammerite, it really is fantastic stuff in this way. Do as good a job as you feel you need to but don't go over the top.

 

If you are painting them on the car I would remove the caliper pins first. This will stop them from getting stuck to the caliper with the paint. You will need to plug up the holes though as it is a pretty good fit.

 

You don't need to lacquer the decals, as long as you bought decent ones.

 

I would advise taking them off and taking a couple of days to do the job though.

[neo2810]

Cheers chaps... Some good advice all round really. By caliper pins, do you mean the bolts which attached the calipers to the wheel, or the pins that hold the 2 parts together?

[nevins]

I will be refurbing a full set of callipers soon and have a sand blaster lined up lol, this way it will get all the crap off, but my question is as follows, is it safe to use a grinder to remove the cast markings. Not all the pitting but the seams that are left behind.

[neo2810]

Thread hijack alert

 

Can't answer your question but I have another. I'm going to be using 2 axle stands to do 2 calipers at a time (not confident stacking the car up on 4 stands to do all at the same time) so is it best to jack up and then attach the stands to the front or rear axle as in this diagram? http://www.mkiv.com/manual/manualtt/vehicle_lift_and_support_locations/index.html

[Tom S]

should have kept my spare wheels you

[Scott]

Cheers chaps... Some good advice all round really. By caliper pins, do you mean the bolts which attached the calipers to the wheel, or the pins that hold the 2 parts together?

 

The pins that hold the pads in place. Originally 2 black pins IIRC. They will be really difficult to get out if you paint coats of hammerite over them

 

I will be refurbing a full set of callipers soon and have a sand blaster lined up lol, this way it will get all the crap off, but my question is as follows, is it safe to use a grinder to remove the cast markings. Not all the pitting but the seams that are left behind.

 

Cast marks aren't an issue, just don't go nuts

[neo2810]

The pins that hold the pads in place. Originally 2 black pins IIRC. They will be really difficult to get out if you paint coats of hammerite over them

 

Don't the nuts on those sit behind the caliper, in the area I wont be painting?

 

EDIT: Oh wait, you said hold the PADS in place, not the calipers. I'll have to have a look and either mask them off cleverly to avoid painting that section. I'm trying not to dismantle any of the caliper.

[Scott]

Ahh, J-Spec.

 

Yeah you'll be fine then

[nevins]

When have you known me to go nuts Scott, don't answer that!

[Scott]

You went ages ago mate, waiting on your return

[nevins]

lmao, you know so well haha