Calipers: Paint, Powder-Coat or Chrome?
 

My calipers look like crap... What shall I ever do?

Paint? I liked that "sand the raised lettering" after you paint it, but will paint flake ... and how do I prep it?

Powder-coat? If I get 'em powder-coated will it hurt the calipers (the heat)? Will I be able to get the raised lettering chromed or powdered a different color?

Chromed: Once and for all CAN you chrome aluminium perminently AND does chrome rust??? Will it chip?

Ultimate solutions? :smiley_12

check out the thread about 5-6 threads down about painting calipers
theres good pics in there

aluminum doesnt rust...as for the other stuff i havnt done mine so no idea!

heat? lol.. im sure you're calipers get as hot, or hotter when braking heavy.

Powdercoating lowers temps, yes you can chrome calipers just look at the entire GREX line of brakes.

http://www.clubrx.org/default.asp?id...ntent=37&mnu=5

Good writeup on painting calipers.

Im gonna do that to mine as soon as spring hits.

the biggest problem with powder coating is that to do it properly, you have to disassemble the calipers---i.e. remove the pistons, etc. before having them coated. i've had mine painted now for 2 years with the sanded letters and have no flaking or peeling problems. and now you have many more paint options designed specifically for brake calipers and the related heat than i had when i did mine. fyi, i did clear coat mine with high temp paint after they were painted and sanded.

Here is the thread JIC was referring too...

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/help-painting-my-calipers-510518/

Mine are also painted, and adhesion really hasn't been an issue. Once in a while a small chip will appear, usually around the slotted screws. But it's easily touched up.

I'm a fan of just painting them with Testors model paint - the ClubRX.org writeup linked above is my writeup. It's cheap, it looks great, it's near idiot proof, you can leave the calipers on the car while you do it, it's cheap and easy to touch up...it's just good all the way around.

You can get a VERY nice finish powdercoating, but that requires you to remove and disassemble the calipers, bleed the brakes, etc. Also, powdercoating is NOT bulletproof, and it'll be hard to touch up if it needs some help over time.

Dale

Polish them.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/336795/4

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/caliper.html

This kit worked great for me.

Will you post some close-up photos for us? i'd like to see the finished produce... i'm kinda paranoid about a brush-on paint... did you have to polish them smooth first? did it go on thick or rubbery?

hey!! what about spit shining them :)

Powder coating will last longer than any of your other choices. In my opinion I think it'll look the best and most professional as well. I've never seen chromed calipers and I can't imagine them looking good.

Yes Aluminum will rust. not under normal circumstnaces. but if the oxidization is cleared from the top of the alu, then you hold a peice of __________ (forget believe it is magnisum) alu will rust to the effect of iron rusting for years, but only alu can do it in a couple of hours compared to irons years. it requires deoxidizing the alu then placing a cetain metal to it. and it will rust like made.

I'de say ust paint em in a color that accents the whole car. chrome would look to "blingie"




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