How to paint calipers PROPERLY :)

Still undecided - got work pressures on for most of this year, so currently Stilo is used as a 'fun' commute everyday - it does get hammered, though.

I will stick on 16s for now; also helped by fact I paid for 4 new Bridgestones on them. My next mods will probably just be strutbrace and engine bay coding, lol.

Yes, the Alfa is looking good - IF it is the 159, then probably the 3.2 V6 Q4 - BUT then I want to see Brera spec as well - won't happen til next summer at the earliest, and then I may keep the Stilo as a 3rd car

Step By Step Guide to how Koa painted his Calipers.

Step 1: Jack car up and remove wheels. If you are using the jack included with the car, you might want to put a few bricks under the axle to be safe.


Step 2: Give the calipers a good spray with some brake cleaner or something similar.


Step 3: Use a wire brush to scrub off as much brake dust and muck as possible, constantly using the brake cleaner to help get rid of any stubborn muck.


Step 4: Wash the calipers off with hot soapy water,(we used Fairy Liquid) use with a good stiff paint brush combined with the wire brush for any more stubborn bits.


Step 5: Let calipers dry thoroughly and use a towel to assist in any hard to reach areas. when they are as clean as the image below, they are ready to paint.


Step 6: Stir the Hammerite, but not too vigorously. Using a small semi flexible paint brush, apply a thin layer to the caliper working from the top of each section, making sure only to paint non moving parts of the caliper.


Step 7: Apply a second coat after only 30-40 minutes regardless of what it says on the tin because if it is allowed to harden too much, the top layer will not take properly. Voila... Painted Calipers...


whilst all of the painting is going on,, don't forget to get your other half to thoroughly clean the wheels and tyres.

Thread now stuck

Thanks Stu,

I know it's a simple thing to paint your calipers but we all have to start somewhere and for some it can be a little daunting, I think the tutorial will encourage a few more to have a go themselves.

Coverage looks excellent - Hammerite it is then

Good job!!!

I just did mine in gold and think it looks great! It was a pretty easy job too. Good writeup!!

Mine will hopefully be yellow next week! Got the paint and just waiting for a day off work to do it properly. It says something about not using the Car / Brakes for 24 hours after application though - does it say anything similar on the Hammerite?

No it doesn't say anything about using hammerite on calipers on the tin that I had. But I would leave it 24 hours to be safe, that will allow the paint to fully harden.

Looks great!!!! I am a big fan of painting calipers! think its something manufacturers should do as standard! cos after a couple of months they look nasty and ruin the look of the car if youve got nice wheels!

Anyway KoArAng your car looks particularly shiney (from photos) and i was wondering what you clean it with (wax, polish etc!!!!)

cheers!

Right,the caliper's on my "stilo" are red, but some of the paint has came off.

I would like to repaint them silver or black (or maybe even red) Will it be okay to paint over the existing paint if I clean them up well? Or will this not work?

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

joe

Just noticed this thread and gotta say the calipers look bloody great. I need to change the front pads on my motor asap so might well give it a go at the same time.

Any suggestions on colour for a metallic navy blue 5 door Abarth with the 17" shaddow chrome wheels or whatever they're called? Pink....not! Maybe silver, can't help thinking red would make it look chav.....

Don't do red calipers on a blue car How about blue, like koa's? They look great...

Red? silver? how about green? Any of these I think would look good on yours Trev!

Painted 3 over mine over the past two nights. Final one tonight! Painting them using "smooth red" Hamerite! Post some pics when its done!

One thing i reccomend that isn't said here, Is use a compressor or Equilient to blow some of the dust away from the brake pads and wheel hubs. Dont want anything falling on the wet paint or dust traveling!

Main reason it's not mentioned is the fact I don't have a compressor So rather than complicate matters I left it out as you can clearly get by without one