DelSlow

iTrader: (2)

I was wondering if powercoating my brake calipers would be a good idea. would it hold up to the heat without fading, peeling, etc? anybody else done this?

1SxyRXy

you can just go to pepboys or something and buy the high heat paint and then just sand off your calipers and paint them your self, its alot cheaper and easier and it whont peal or fade well it never did on me

ReZ311

iTrader: (4)

Pep Boys. The Caliper Paint.

My calipers are doing good so far after 4 months! =)

Excuse the orangeness. It's really red. Pics were taken at night & camera flash makes it orange for some reason. Look at RB sway bar for color refrence.

Painting it on is easy.

How to do it:

-Scotch brite the **** out of the calipers
-Spray the **** out of them with brake cleaner
-Tape the rubber stuff on the brakes so paint doesn't get on them.
-Spray away! Thin coats! 6-9 inches away! Let it dry between coats! 3-4 coats without it running/smudging.

Good Luck Have Fun!

ReZ311

iTrader: (4)

one more for fun.

Dan H

One of my friends did it. It looks really good if you don't paint or polish up the Mazda logo on the calipers.

adamlewis

Powder coating is the best thing to do IMHO. However, I have a whole setup to do it myself, so I might be a little biased. One thing you need to realize about PC is that it doesnt peel. It will never peel/crack/chip.

As for standing up to the heat?
Well, lets just say I powdercoated my DP with some "high temp" powder and its stayed looking just like it did since day one. Even after a few runs that resulted in a glowing turbine housing

5 point whoa

yeah, I painted mine black with the high temp paint, and a polished the mazda. it looked good, but it faded after like 5 months

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

I painted my calipers with just regular paint. If you take your time, get them very clean (sandpaper and wire brush) and give them nice even coats, it should last fine. Ive been running mine for over a year now, and they still look as good as the day I did them. I also did this to the calipers on my G/Fs TSI AWD Talon, and they are still looking great. (I baked the paint on with infa-red baking lamp, but it probably wasnt necessary..) But yes, powdercoating would work great, but probably a little overkill if you dont have the money to spare, when a good paint job will do just fine.

ReZ311

iTrader: (4)

I think powdercoating would require the caliper to be completly taken apart.

5 point whoa

yeah, because you'd prolly have to send it away unless you wanna drive awhile

Nick86

iTrader: (1)

Yup.

Not only would it have to be taken apart - it would have to be thouroughly cleaned and dried.

The powder is applied, and then the whole piece is baked at about 400* for about half an hour. Any rubber left on it will melt very quickly! Not only that - but if there is any amount of brake fluid or cleaner left in the piece - the heat will make it bubble and spit. You'll be left with little "craters" all over.

The plus side is that a powder coated pice will stand up WAY better to wear than any paint. If you use an exterior or heavy duty powder - it will be the last time you ever have to paint them. It shouldn't fade at all, and will stand up well to the heat.

If you have it powder coated, all the "interior" parts of the calipers (such as the piston bores) have to be well masked with special heat resistant tape. Powder in there would render the caliper useless.

Dougster

I have always used the high temp alloy looking paint, it really looks good and it also lasts a long long time...Its a great detail tip...

den

I used 200'c enamel paint, its been on about 6 months now and is still as good as new. The only problem is not getting brake fluid on them when your done because it eats through it straight away. if your carefull though it works great.