Kilps Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 I think I've decided I want my brake calipers to be red, but I don't know whether I'd be best to get them painted or powdercoated. What are the pros, cons and things to consider for both? What sort of money should I be looking at? Would the calipers need to be stripped down and refurbed to do this or can either be done with them in one piece (but detached from the car, obviously!)? I've found a couple of examples and can't see a whole lot of difference. Powdercoated Image pinched from magictorch - hope you don't mind Painted Image pinched from spiderpigcity - hope you don't mind Any help / suggestions would be gratefully received Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 I've painted loads before, on the car. All of them have turned out very well and lasted well. I'd say the powder coating will leave a slightly nicer, smoother finish. But you would need to strip them down and in which case you might as well refurb them to. So a more expensive exercise, but better in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wantthatone Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 i opted for powder coating mine, then a full refurb, however the guys powder coating were'nt realy that bothered, they did'nt plug holes etc. it became a nightmare, theres a guy on here that will strip down your calipers, powdercoat them in a choice of your colour then fully rebuild using new parts. £160 delivered back to you...... powder coated is a nice finish.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra steveo Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 i am stripping a set of UK calipers at the moment and i want to powder coat them black and use the ubernine decals off ebay ive got the seal kit for the front calipers but i am not sure if there is anything else i need does any one have pics of a caliper with the pistons out ? or even an exploded view of a caliper ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 I used caliper paint about 8 years ago and they still look like new, can't see the point in powder coating tbh. Also the finish is as good, no brush marks and an even finish. I'd say save your pennies and go with paint. Hammerite smooth also does the job well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 I powdercoated mine and they lasted about 5 years. The prep was a pain, too and the company I used said they would never do another set of brake calipers afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Hammerite smooth for the win. Don't use any cheap alternatives and I wouldn't even bother with "Caliper paint". I find the stuff that halfords sells to be crap, takes ages to dry is very very runny and doesn't stand up to -15C too well lol. I used hammerite smooth and mine are still like new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 i am stripping a set of UK calipers at the moment and i want to powder coat them black and use the ubernine decals off ebay ive got the seal kit for the front calipers but i am not sure if there is anything else i need does any one have pics of a caliper with the pistons out ? or even an exploded view of a caliper ? Heres a pair of uk spec fronts i did, completely stripped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magictorch Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 I think mine cost £100 to be stripped, powdercoated and then rebuilt by Chris That image makes them look a bit orange tho!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 £100 is cheap if that includes the powder coat cost and the new seals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magictorch Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 £100 is cheap if that includes the powder coat cost and the new seals I had already bought the seal kits so that has to be added The actual powdercoating cost £40....quality job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra steveo Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 i am starting to think hammerite smooth if 2 people are recommending it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellybean Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 (edited) I tuaght it was best to use Hammerite BBQ paint http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_169403_langId_-1_categoryId_212593 We have an extensive range of Paints and Paint related products for sale. Hammerite Barbecue Paint is a heat resistant paint specially formulated for use on the exterior of barbecues. . Features and Benefits: ■Colour - Black ■Durable, heat resistant protective finish ■Withstands temperatures up to 475ºC ■Resists cracking and flaking ■No primer required ■Quick drying Edited January 24, 2011 by Jellybean (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackso11 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 yeah think I might clean off the red and repaint in black on mine. They look very good but I prefer a black look that bright red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I used red Halfords caliper paint on the Clio's calipers. Applied 2 coats and the finish was perfect for the 2 years it was on there. I know it's not the same but just saying that it was ok when I used it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Heres a pair powder coated Black Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackso11 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I remember reading your thread on these....big job! Mine are only J-spec. I think if I had UK spec brakes I would powdercoat but J-spec I wouldn't.....because at some point i will probably end up changing for UK spec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Heres a pair powder coated Black Nicest looking set of UKs i've seen, looks like they've been modified a bit too (the outer faces/surfaces look alot smoother than normal, and the little fins/strakes on the outside have vanished) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra steveo Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Heres a pair powder coated Black they look sexual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellybean Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Most people paint them on the car I presume; just give the visible part of the caliper a once over; do you remove the Pins/ brake pads too ? I got the stickers off ebay; do these stay on or do you use some strong adhesive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?148768-Painted-Calipers Here's the thread I started when I did mine - painted on the car using Hammerite Smooth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Most people paint them on the car I presume; just give the visible part of the caliper a once over; do you remove the Pins/ brake pads too ? I got the stickers off ebay; do these stay on or do you use some strong adhesive? If you are going to do it I would suggest doing it right and taking them off the car. You can paint them in situ but it's never going to be a great job. I took mine off the car and split them, while apart I made sure everything was as it should be, removed the pistons etc and plugged everything up. I then blasted the crap out of them so that I had a nice clean caliper to paint. I used the hammerite spray but I would recommend the brush stuff over that, the spray can be a little bit fussy with what it goes onto. The tinned stuff feels like it would paint onto candle wax lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Kephos coated in black looks good, I do this, but want them supplied with the cores plugged with plastic or wooden bungs as I don't have anything the right size. Kephos is satin black only, if you want any other colour it's no good. http://www.chriswilson.tv/kephos.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilps Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Those black ones look nice Dnk! As above, what else has been done to them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackso11 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 If you are going to do it I would suggest doing it right and taking them off the car. You can paint them in situ but it's never going to be a great job. I took mine off the car and split them, while apart I made sure everything was as it should be, removed the pistons etc and plugged everything up. I then blasted the crap out of them so that I had a nice clean caliper to paint. I used the hammerite spray but I would recommend the brush stuff over that, the spray can be a little bit fussy with what it goes onto. The tinned stuff feels like it would paint onto candle wax lol. Yes but if you split them you need now seals I would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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