Caliper painting.

Van D · 13-09-2007, 09:02 PM

OK, so I made a thread in paint & panel, but as the first one disappeared when the forums crashed with no replies and it doesn't get that many views anyway, I thought i'd try here real quick as I want to get it started tomorrow as I go away on the weekend.

Basically, I want to paint my brake calipers, but the standard caliper paint isn't what i'm after colour wise (VHT don't even make a white). I'm looking to do a surf/mint green to match the colour my car will be, or to do a white at least.

I've spoken to a forum member who said they used a VHT caliper paint as undercoat then went over it with the paint used on the car, hoping that it will work. But the car isn't on the road yet, and from my understanding they're not 100% on it.

Has anyone else done it that way with success? Is there any other way of getting the colour i'm after, even if it's custom made?

The alternative I have in mind is using a VHT flame proof paint as they at least come in white and the only difference I could see is that it stands up to a higher temp rating.

Any help is appreciated, and if mods don't want this thread to run, just delete it with my apologies!

Cheers

EA2BA · 13-09-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

I've spoken to a forum member who said they used a VHT caliper paint as undercoat then went over it with the paint used on the car, hoping that it will work. But the car isn't on the road yet, and from my understanding they're not 100% on it.

I did this on my TC Cortina, even got the brakes so hot you could smell the brake pads when I stopped, never had an issue with the paint, I did paint them the same colour as the car which was a dark green. Painted for at least 2or3 years, front disc, rear drums.

All the spray paint I used came in cans off the shelf.

gthofan · 13-09-2007, 09:17 PM

What are the legal rules with spraying calipers? is it a legal/roadworthy issue?

The G6ET Spot · 13-09-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthofan

What are the legal rules with spraying calipers? is it a legal/roadworthy issue?

That can't be a serious question.

Van D · 13-09-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA2BA

I did this on my TC Cortina, even got the brakes so hot you could smell the brake pads when I stopped, never had an issue with the paint, I did paint them the same colour as the car which was a dark green. Painted for at least 2or3 years, front disc, rear drums.

All the spray paint I used came in cans off the shelf.

Beautiful! Cheers mate.

I want the green to look as bright and pop as much as possible (going silver base on the actual car), would I be best using the flameproof white as an undercoat/base, or something like the cast aluminium brake caliper paint?

Van D · 13-09-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthofan

What are the legal rules with spraying calipers? is it a legal/roadworthy issue?

Doubt it mate, they're painted from factory!

gthofan · 13-09-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAPID XR8

That can't be a serious question.

Oh well excuse me then. I wouldnt have put the friggin question up for fun! Asked a simple question (apparently) and given a ridiculous answer. thanks very much

:

chrispie123 · 13-09-2007, 09:41 PM

didnt efghia get nabbed for having painted calipers ages ago,

gthofan · 13-09-2007, 09:44 PM

yes he did, but im not sure if they have changed the rules since then

Allen · 13-09-2007, 10:02 PM

I did my fronts with the VHT stuff, simply because it looks better than surface rust! :P

Certainly looks heaps better than stock... I'm not worried about the colour match to the duco, as they get covered in dust anyway, so as long is its roughly the same colour it'll look good.

And these calipers didn't have any paint on them at all from factory... hence the rust:P

Nevermind · 13-09-2007, 10:06 PM

I painted mine with just cheap off the shelf basic spray paint from bunnings.
I didnt have any troubles with peeling or anything, just touched it up every 6 - 12 months.

I basically just cleaned them, undercoat and a couple layres of what ever colour you wanted (I wanted red). the undercoat was only used to help bring out the brightness.

b2tf · 13-09-2007, 10:27 PM

VHT Flameproof will be fine, the caliper paint is more just for those who come in and say "I want caliper paint" - there's bugger all difference between it and normal VHT stuff. From memory though the caliper paint does come in white, can check that for you on Sunday (Ive got the whole range in stock @ work).

You'd be right to use it as an undercoat then a normal paint for a topcoat, Id probably recommend a clear coat over that though (VHT do make one as well).

I wanna do my calipers Mandarin to be a bit different so Ive looked into it a bit.

Van D · 13-09-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

VHT Flameproof will be fine, the caliper paint is more just for those who come in and say "I want caliper paint" - there's bugger all difference between it and normal VHT stuff. From memory though the caliper paint does come in white, can check that for you on Sunday (Ive got the whole range in stock @ work).

You'd be right to use it as an undercoat then a normal paint for a topcoat, Id probably recommend a clear coat over that though (VHT do make one as well).

I wanna do my calipers Mandarin to be a bit different so Ive looked into it a bit.

Sweet.

I'll head down to ricerbahn or something tomorrow to check it out. There wasn't a white caliper paint on their site, but that wouldn't mean they don't make them. If I don't get it all sorted and purchased tomorrow, it'd definitely be great if you could have a look at work. Oh yeah, and I was gonna grab their clear as well to make it nice and easy.

Cheers mate.

Van D · 13-09-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermind

I painted mine with just cheap off the shelf basic spray paint from bunnings.
I didnt have any troubles with peeling or anything, just touched it up every 6 - 12 months.

I basically just cleaned them, undercoat and a couple layres of what ever colour you wanted (I wanted red). the undercoat was only used to help bring out the brightness.

Hmm, perhaps the factory coat on them was/is enough for the heat protection anyway?

InfernoSR · 13-09-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

Ive got the whole range in stock @ work.

Whats the closest colour to Blueprint do you have in the VHT range that i can use for calipers?

Zed7fiddy · 14-09-2007, 02:24 AM

Awesome news, White flameproof Base and a couple of Harvest green coats and clear

Pics in two weeks

:

JC · 14-09-2007, 02:59 AM

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - if your calipers ever get hot enough to warrant some sort of heatproof paint, then you have bigger things to worry about than the paint peeling.

You can use ANY paint you like on callipers. Export paint is the best cheap brand I have found - just make sure you clean the brakes properly with brake clean, then prepsol, then prime, then paint, then clear coat if you want. You can buy all 3 cans of paint required above for under $10, or 1 can of useless VHT caliper paint (only useless because it's like $15, and no better than the $2.99 stuff from bunnings)

agony · 14-09-2007, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthofan

What are the legal rules with spraying calipers? is it a legal/roadworthy issue?

Scott what would be the issue with painting the caliper? How would that make it illegal/unroadworthy?

agony · 14-09-2007, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van D

I've spoken to a forum member who said they used a VHT caliper paint as undercoat then went over it with the paint used on the car, hoping that it will work. But the car isn't on the road yet, and from my understanding they're not 100% on it.Cheers

Like others have said I don't see the caliper getting that hot it melts the paint, the disc would be a different story. I have painted my discs with the same method I did the calipers with. I also have a few mates that have had there discs powder coated, don't know how that stands up for heat?

**Charliewool** · 14-09-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agony

Like others have said I don't see the caliper getting that hot it melts the paint, the disc would be a different story. I have painted my discs with the same method I did the calipers with. I also have a few mates that have had there discs powder coated, don't know how that stands up for heat?

Not calipers, but looking at doing the hubs of my discs... They are badly oxidised from using various alloy wheel cleaners, and also go rusty in a flash.

Would High temp engine enamel be ok for these?

agony · 14-09-2007, 08:57 AM

Not sure mate. I used brake paint as an undercoat then gave the hubs a couple of coats of engine enamel so I'm hoping that system works, time will tell.

boss-290 · 14-09-2007, 09:52 AM

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...liper+painting

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...liper+painting

b2tf · 14-09-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van D

Sweet.

I'll head down to ricerbahn or something tomorrow to check it out. There wasn't a white caliper paint on their site, but that wouldn't mean they don't make them. If I don't get it all sorted and purchased tomorrow, it'd definitely be great if you could have a look at work. Oh yeah, and I was gonna grab their clear as well to make it nice and easy.

Cheers mate.

I'll have a look and get you a part number. Same goes for Blueprint, Ill see what we can do. Shameless plug though - any Autobarn store can mix blueprint for you into an aerosol can in about 10 mins. I can mix any Ford colour you like, all I need is a code.

Van D · 14-09-2007, 04:49 PM

Well I picked up a can of silver VHT caliper paint today, not wanting to risk it peeling (for the sake of 5 bucks anyway!). I'm going to use it as an undercoat after cleaning them up with a wire wheel/brake cleaner/prepsol then take them to my painter who will shoot them with a surf green and clear.

Now, one other question.. What exactly can I paint? I'm planning to pull them apart as i'll be doing the seals and what not anyway. Can I paint the guide pins or will I have clearance/rub issues? I was just going to do them a white with no gloss coats so it won't be thick or anything.

InfernoSR · 14-09-2007, 11:43 PM

So all in all... can i use a brake hub black paint as the undercoat of the caliper, then spray it in Blueprint 2pac or enamel? YOu said Autobahn can mix up a batch for an aerosol can, but is that an enamel, 2pac or what?

dave351cid · 15-09-2007, 06:47 PM

i have used VHT engine paint (ford light blue ) on the calipers and disc hubs on the XB . it has lasted for years no worries.

the metal backing plate of the pads themselfs and right on the edges of the disc next to the wear surface on the rears discoloured a bit after some serious burnout comps . talking about major abuse here and normal street driving i doubt there would be any issues.

i will do the BA one day but havent decided what colour will match the acid rush. maybe i should see autobahn and get a can of acid rush and do the calipers and dust plate ????