Just painted calipers.....

[Redsix]

I just painted my calipers and man does it make a huge difference. My question is what should I use to get some of the excess paint of the top of the rotors without messing anything up? Thanx for any responces. :D

[Birdie2000]

My dad uses MEK at his shop, and he makes/sells HVLP paint equipment, so I hope he knows what he's doing. :D I swear, that stuff will remove anything.

[Redsix]

Where can I get MEK?? Walmart or somewhere more exclusive like NAPA/Autozone/whatever?

[Birdie2000]

Home Depot sells it, not sure where else.

[cixelsyD21]

Redsix, I want to paint mine so bad, but dont know where to start. Could you post some pics or maybe a how-to on how to do it? Im such a mechanical idiot.

[Redsix]

Don't worry about screwing this one up because its really hard to. I was a little hesitant to do it myself but it paid off nicely. If you want pics I will email them to you but this is basically what you do.

Supplies you need: 2 cans of Brake Cleaner, 2 cans of Color Paint of Choice (I bought 1200 degree paint @ O'Rilley's), one can of clear coat (clear paint). I spent about $20 all together.

1. Untighten sockets on wheel.
2. Jackup car and remove wheel.
3. Spay Caliper with a nice amount of Brake Cleaner until all of the grime is gone.
4. Tape up the rotor(squeeze tape into little cracks to prevent less paint to dry on the rotor)
5. Put newspapers on the wheel well and over the rotor where you DONT WANT PAINT :D . The newspaper on the rotor will prevent you from wasting miles of tape.
6. Spay the first coat of paint on the caliper. You can be generous with the first coat to get all of it covered. Light upward and downward movement strokes are best for nice even paint application.
7. Wait 15-20 Min.
8. Repeat step 6. This time apply lighter strokes and lighter amounts of paint for a smooth finish.
9. Wait 15-20 Min.
10. Repeat step 6. This time apply lighter strokes and lighter amounts of paint for a smooth finish.
11. Wait 15-20 Min.
12. Now it's time for the clear coat. Spray the first coat on the caliper. Apply light coats. This is why you only need one can of clear coat.
13. Wait 15-20 Min.
14. Apply second clear coat.
15.Wait 15-20 min.
16. Apply final clear coat if you want.
17. If you do apply the third coat wait about 30 minutes.
18. The paint should be somewhat dry to where its not dripping or anything. The paint should never drip or you put on way to much. Anyway, you can now remove all the tape and newspapers. Be careful not to touch the caliper in doing so.
19. Put the wheel back on.
20. Lower the car and dont drive the car for the rest of the day. [img]smile.gif[/img] .It would suck to have spent two hours per caliper to ruin them. Repeat this three more times for the other wheels.

You don't have to do it this way but it is the way I did it. Many people ask for a walkthrough but most people dont take the time to write it up. It seems more complicated than it sounds but I did it so that a second grader could paint the calipers on his firebird :D .Good luck and trust me, it takes forever but it looks awsome. Especially if you have Chrome ZO6 Wheels ;) .

[Cootees]

Just ride on them for a day or so and it will take the paint off your rotors. ;)

[LS12B]

hey redsix, is that your car that is parked at that little shoping center on Southwest Parkway near Anderson Drive in college station all the time?

[Redsix]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by LS12B:
hey redsix, is that your car that is parked at that little shoping center on Southwest Parkway near Anderson Drive in college station all the time?<hr></blockquote>

Yup, that's me. I work in that little shopping center at Rogers Engineering Services. I am a CVEN major at Texas A&M so it is a really good job to have. I sent you an email if you would like to talk some more. Later. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]