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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: damon80 on 10 April 2011, 00:09:43

Title: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: damon80 on 10 April 2011, 00:09:43
After spending the day detailing the engine bay today (pics in gallery for anyone interested), I've bitten the car detailing bug again...

"Back in the day", when I had my Astra GSi, it was the in-thing to paint brake calipers.  My Astra was Flame Red, and painted the calipers in bright-red VHT Paint.

I think... (as I duck for cover here...!  :D) that my Omega - being Nocturno Blue - would look quite smart with red calipers.

But what's the general concensus - is that a Chav thing to do these days, and make my Omega look pants, or would it smarten it up?  I'd also do the hub part of the disc in grey Hammerite.

What do you think folks?  :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Lazydocker on 10 April 2011, 00:25:42
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What do you think folks?  :y

Honest answer is....... Not my cup of tea, but if you like the idea carry on :y :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: damon80 on 10 April 2011, 01:14:37
Fair play - cheers fella  :y

It's just that with the CD-spec wheels, the calipers seem to be "on show" quite a bit, and let the side down a bit IMHO  :'(
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: gstylebaby on 10 April 2011, 03:11:21
Black or silver mate would not make it look chav at all but make it look nice and tidy.
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Andy B on 10 April 2011, 06:47:18
Quote
After spending the day detailing the engine bay today (pics in gallery for anyone interested), I've bitten the car detailing bug again...

"Back in the day", when I had my Astra GSi, it was the in-thing to paint brake calipers.  My Astra was Flame Red, and painted the calipers in bright-red VHT Paint.

I think... (as I duck for cover here...!  :D) that my Omega - being Nocturno Blue - would look quite smart with red calipers.

But what's the general concensus - is that a Chav thing to do these days, and make my Omega look pants, or would it smarten it up?  I'd also do the hub part of the disc in grey Hammerite.

What do you think folks?  :y

How near Kitt Green are you? I'm just about to go to work in my black Omega with its red calipers front & back. You're welcome to call round to see them.!  :y :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Cliffo B on 10 April 2011, 08:24:44
Always  done mine in Hammerite smooth silver, also I think it's really important to do the internals of the caliper castings.This is for winter preservation issues against the modern trend of sticky road molasses/salt mix. In these conditions I think the crude cast iron exists in a hostile environment to the extreme, and miggy's vented rears cannot be replaced with new, only with exchange recon units, so at the end of the day the condition of the available castings for vented rears is on a ever downward spiral, I don't know about the solid disc calipers if they still can be had new,I suppose one could always do a conversion to solid and have to suffer the downgrade  
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Shane mvsex on 10 April 2011, 09:12:16
i have pained my calipers red, and on my wifes gold mig i painted hers blue....

its looks very nice and smart, cleans it up behind the wheel...

if u dont want it to stand out to much then i would go for darker colours i was going to paint mine black...

u may just catch a look at my calipers on some of the pictures i have posted up

 :y :y :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Miggylover on 10 April 2011, 09:46:11
I personally like gloss black hammerite. but i have red calipers on my silver astra coupe and looks alright actually.They do show up the dirt and brake dust a bit though:(
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: MV6Matt on 10 April 2011, 10:03:16
Mine are in Black to match the car and Wheels.

If you want to paint yours sky-blue orange with henna polka dots - why not? It's your car.

For me, it's a personal thing. As someone has mentioned, it can also have a very helpful protective part to play as well as making the car look how you want it to.

Go get you paint, dude, go get your paint............. :y :y

Matthew
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: YZ250 on 10 April 2011, 15:24:54
Pics of the calipers on my car.

(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac142/Alan-Hearn/Omega/IMGP2822-1.jpg)

(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac142/Alan-Hearn/Omega/IMGP2836.jpg)


Regards
Alan

Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: blackviper90210 on 10 April 2011, 15:34:27
That looks good Alan, did you hand paint "Vauxhall" in white too?
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: YZ250 on 10 April 2011, 16:32:55
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That looks good Alan, did you hand paint "Vauxhall" in white too?


The white writing is caliper heat resistant vinyl decals. I had them sent to me from Uber9 Custom Design in Leighton Buzzard. As they are intended for the calipers they are slightly curved. Rear one's are slightly smaller to match the smaller caliper obviously.
The red paint is caliper paint. They have been like this for over seven years and have not peeled or cracked. I did laquer over the decals to prevent any loose edges though.
PM me if you want their contact details, assuming they are still trading.  :y :y

EDIT: Just checked and they are still trading, mainly through Ebay.  :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: blackviper90210 on 10 April 2011, 18:14:58
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Quote
That looks good Alan, did you hand paint "Vauxhall" in white too?


The white writing is caliper heat resistant vinyl decals. I had them sent to me from Uber9 Custom Design in Leighton Buzzard. As they are intended for the calipers they are slightly curved. Rear one's are slightly smaller to match the smaller caliper obviously.
The red paint is caliper paint. They have been like this for over seven years and have not peeled or cracked. I did laquer over the decals to prevent any loose edges though.
PM me if you want their contact details, assuming they are still trading.  :y :y

EDIT: Just checked and they are still trading, mainly through Ebay.  :y

That would be great mate if you could pass on their details. May well get a set for my baby later on when I finally get round to sorting her out! 

Cheers   :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: damon80 on 10 April 2011, 22:22:37
Quote
Quote
After spending the day detailing the engine bay today (pics in gallery for anyone interested), I've bitten the car detailing bug again...

"Back in the day", when I had my Astra GSi, it was the in-thing to paint brake calipers.  My Astra was Flame Red, and painted the calipers in bright-red VHT Paint.

I think... (as I duck for cover here...!  :D) that my Omega - being Nocturno Blue - would look quite smart with red calipers.

But what's the general concensus - is that a Chav thing to do these days, and make my Omega look pants, or would it smarten it up?  I'd also do the hub part of the disc in grey Hammerite.

What do you think folks?  :y

How near Kitt Green are you? I'm just about to go to work in my black Omega with its red calipers front & back. You're welcome to call round to see them.!  :y :y

Grrr, if only I'd seen this post earlier!   >:(  I'm literally 2mins from Kitt Green!  Would have been great to have seen yours.  Don't remember it having red calipers when you changed the oil in mine - is it a recent addition, or am I just going blind?  ;D

Cheers Andy  :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: damon80 on 10 April 2011, 22:33:04
Wow YZ250 - they look superb!  :y  What paint did you use?

Thanks for all your suggestions folks - you've given me plenty of food for thought  :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Andy B on 10 April 2011, 22:34:16
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...
Grrr, if only I'd seen this post earlier!   >:(  I'm literally 2mins from Kitt Green!  Would have been great to have seen yours.  Don't remember it having red calipers when you changed the oil in mine - is it a recent addition, or am I just going blind?  ;D

Cheers Andy  :y

My red calipers were done last summer, so you're not going blind.  ;) ;)
I'm back in work next Thurs for 6 days so maybe you could see it next week end. Just tell me when though cos I don't normally use it for work.  :)
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: damon80 on 10 April 2011, 22:39:55
That's good news then!  :D

Cheers for that Andy - it's appreciated  :y  I think I'll defo take you up on that matey - I'll drop you a PM to arrange summut later on this week, when I know what's what this coming weekend, if that's ok with you?
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Andy B on 10 April 2011, 22:43:05
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....
 I'll drop you a PM to arrange summut later on this week, when I know what's what this coming weekend, if that's ok with you?

that's sounds good to me.  :y :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: damon80 on 10 April 2011, 22:48:03
You're a gentleman and a scholar!  :y  :)
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Andy B on 10 April 2011, 22:58:36
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You're a gentleman and a scholar!  :y  :)

I do try!  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: dragonlord on 11 April 2011, 01:33:44
iv got a silver elite and dident want the chav look

so i done mine in gloss black
personal i thing they look prity good like that
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: YZ250 on 11 April 2011, 08:25:24
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Wow YZ250 - they look superb!  :y  What paint did you use?

Thanks for all your suggestions folks - you've given me plenty of food for thought  :y


I used this stuff.  :y


(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac142/Alan-Hearn/Random%20Pics/FoliatecCaliperPaint.jpg)

Regards
Alan
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Nick W on 12 April 2011, 11:12:47
Any paint suitable for metal will do the job on brakes and engines. Hammerite works well, but tends to look crap. Personally, I'd use normal 2 pack  as it's cheap, easily available in any colour you want, goes off quickly and lasts well. Etch primer is a good idea too.
The important thing to remember whatever paint you use is that the surface must be clean, reasonably smooth and greasefree.
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: feeutfo on 12 April 2011, 11:27:33
IMO anything is better than the rusty brown normally visible...   Red is a bit strong for me though tbh. Silver maybe....    Or pink for Daz?  ;D
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: mathewst on 12 April 2011, 11:54:25
Don't want to steal the post but could someone explain what needs to be done to paint the calipers ( acttually not done but removed)
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Andy B on 12 April 2011, 12:01:18
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Don't want to steal the post but could someone explain what needs to be done to paint the calipers ( acttually not done but removed)

I suppose it depends how far you want to go, do you want to paint what is visible or doyou want to remove the pads & paint inside where you can't see.  :-/
Clean & degrease them & then paint them according to the instructions on the paint tin. Use high temp brake caliper paint.  :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: YZ250 on 12 April 2011, 13:24:55
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Don't want to steal the post but could someone explain what needs to be done to paint the calipers ( acttually not done but removed)

As said^^^^^ just remove the wheel and paint what the eye can see through the wheel after degreasing. The main difference between caliper paint kits and hammerite is that the caliper kits mix laquer with the paint so you get a nice easy to clean surface for many years for the sake of a quick wipe over once a week. I used caliper paint as my previous Omega had gold hammerite smoothrite on them and they dulled very quickly. Caliper paint kits include quick evaporating degreaser, pot of paint and a pot of laquer but are considerably more expensive. Personal choice at the end of the day.  :y
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: omegadan67 on 12 April 2011, 22:50:24
the caliper colour would depend on the colour of your car really some colours wont mix and will just look guady red brakes on ablack car ok red on a red car dodgy
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Andy B on 13 April 2011, 06:41:36
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...... red brakes on ablack car ok red on a red car dodgy

 :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[  ::)
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Danny on 13 April 2011, 15:37:00
there's a lot more to it that just painting calipers on any car, in my opinion if its the right car with the right wheels it can look stunning

my bora was going to have red calipers done, black car, anthracite wheels, BUT i'm told the coilover kit i want is only available with blue springs which i'm sure will look odd  ::)

i'm not 100% sure Red will look good with nocturno blue though if i'm honest
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: henryd on 13 April 2011, 17:33:12
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there's a lot more to it that just painting calipers on any car, in my opinion if its the right car with the right wheels it can look stunning

my bora was going to have red calipers done, black car, anthracite wheels, BUT i'm told the coilover kit i want is only available with blue springs which i'm sure will look odd  ::)

i'm not 100% sure Red will look good with nocturno blue though if i'm honest

Ahh bugger,I was thinking about it on mine but not so sure now :-?
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: doug4293 on 13 April 2011, 17:44:10
i just use hammerite
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Andy B on 13 April 2011, 19:14:53
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i just use hammerite

but if you see YZ250's reply above ........  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Bent valve on 14 April 2011, 18:42:59
Dont do it. Its sadder than stamp collecting ;)
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: damon80 on 14 April 2011, 18:48:23
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Dont do it. Its sadder than stamp collecting ;)

Which would explain things, given I am a philatelist...   :P  ;D
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: damon80 on 14 April 2011, 18:49:30
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there's a lot more to it that just painting calipers on any car, in my opinion if its the right car with the right wheels it can look stunning

my bora was going to have red calipers done, black car, anthracite wheels, BUT i'm told the coilover kit i want is only available with blue springs which i'm sure will look odd  ::)

i'm not 100% sure Red will look good with nocturno blue though if i'm honest

Hmmm, you're giving me 2nd thoughts now Danny!
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: Bent valve on 14 April 2011, 18:56:35
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Quote
Dont do it. Its sadder than stamp collecting ;)

Which would explain things, given I am a philatelist...  :P  ;D
Pillar box red would suit the calipers nicely ::)
Title: Re: Painted Brake Calipers?
Post by: damon80 on 14 April 2011, 19:11:17
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Quote
Quote
Dont do it. Its sadder than stamp collecting ;)

Which would explain things, given I am a philatelist...  :P  ;D
Pillar box red would suit the calipers nicely ::)

Hahahaha!  ;D  Good job I was kidding!  ;D  ;D