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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: CheshireGTI on 29 April 2004, 20:36

Title: Brake Calipers
Post by: CheshireGTI on 29 April 2004, 20:36
Hey people,

I've been thinking of getting my brake calipers painted yellow,

do you think they will look good/crap etc.

thoughts and ideas welcome!
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: Cupra Turbo on 29 April 2004, 23:13
I painted mine red a year ago, still look good... but beware, I know people who have done it and its all chipped off and looks crap after 6month.

I've just been lucky... only got one chip and its small and unnoticable.
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: LostBok on 30 April 2004, 16:41
how difficult is it to do? is ther ANY chance of knocking the alignment out? just paid AmD ?60 to get mine spot on (one of the front's was WAY out), not keen to get it redone again...

I'd probably go for black as I've got EBC Greenstuff (Green) pads already... black, silver or more green are the only options... red or yellow would just look like I've got  Tellytubbies "playing" behind the alloys...

What paint is recommended? I'm assuming something pretty special to cope with the heat, but is std high temp engine paint gonna do it? Spray / brush?

If there's any chance of shagging up the tracking, I'll wait until I get new suspension before risking anything, 'cos then I'll definitely get the 4 wheel computerised tracking done again... not for a few months yet, but it'll be fine.
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: LostBok on 30 April 2004, 16:59
When you're painting these.. I assume you take the calipers off the car, paint them and then re-attach...

How long to let each one dry? i.e. can I take one wheel off, paint it, put it back on an hour later, then do the next or should I get stands and take all the wheels off at the same time 'cos I have to leave them to dry for 2 or 3 hours after painting? After that can you drive straight away or does it have to stay cool for a while afters?
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: winstonb on 30 April 2004, 23:28
Id take off the calipers so you can get all round the back.  Ideally remove completly then sand + prime etc, but then you've got to bleed the brakes etc.  I was going to do it to my Karmann ghia, but decided it was too much hassle to do properly.

i think engine/high temp paint cures though heat, so youd leave it to touch dry for a couple of hours then off you go.  Brush would be best for a thicker coating and you wouldnt want over-spray everywhere.

Youd only knock out your traking if you use a hammer to taking off the calipers  ;D



Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: Cupra Turbo on 30 April 2004, 23:56
I bought a kit for doing it, cost ?25 but I only paid about ?20.

Came with a cleaning solution and the paint which u mixed with a hardener ...

I just removed the wheel and painted whats visible.. my alloys dont have huge gaps so im not bothered about the back being painted or not.

Easy to do yaself.
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: LostBok on 01 May 2004, 00:49
I prefer Blackie's "lazy, but still looks good enough" approach.... not gonan be entering it in any shows!!!!
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: Cupra Turbo on 01 May 2004, 01:03
I have pics of them in my gallery if u wanna see em... see it'll "suffice"
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: VeeDubGTI16v on 02 May 2004, 12:49
get some led's while your at it if i were you :P

i swear people used to paint their callipers yellow when 3 spokes and sh!tty graphics were around?
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: Cupra Turbo on 02 May 2004, 23:21
I painted mine red cos thats what the anniversary's have.
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: LostBok on 03 May 2004, 11:30
I just want mine to look anything apart from a crusty brown-rust colour... looks even worse now that it's got funky GreenStuff pads behind them.
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: CheshireGTI on 03 May 2004, 19:53
I prefer Blackie's "lazy, but still looks good enough" approach.... not gonan be entering it in any shows!!!!

Yeah I think that's the route I'm gonna go down,

No-ones gonna look too closely anyhow!

Quote
red or yellow would just look like I've got  Tellytubbies "playing" behind the alloys...

Laa-Laa is my fave tho! So yellow it is!  ;D
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: LostBok on 03 May 2004, 21:31
Cheshire, u using one of those three part "engine laquers" or some other type of paint??

LEt me know how it goes, how long it took you per wheel / wether u did them all at once, or one at a time over a few days?
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: CheshireGTI on 03 May 2004, 21:36
Not sure wot type of paint, I can hopefully get them done at work so I'll find out.

Should get them sorted in the next few weeks so I'll let u know how it goes.

Mite just get the front ones done, depends how easy/hard it is.
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: iball on 05 May 2004, 08:05
On previous cars I used ordinary engine heat resistant paint and it was a bit cack, then I discovered Hammerite, worked a treat, several thin coats of that stood the test of time far better and gave a much better finish, you also can get it in a wider range of colours.

Grown out of the painting calipers phase now though, can't be @rsed with it anymore! I must be getting old!
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: LostBok on 05 May 2004, 08:22
What should I use to get alll the crusty brown (rust?) off them first??

Lots of thin coats of Hammerite it is then... drying time between each coat (approx) and final drying time before the car's drivable again?
Title: Re:Brake Calipers
Post by: CheshireGTI on 22 May 2004, 21:34
Ok I bought some proper paint from Halfords today,

Will have a crack at it tomorrow and hopefully post some pics up.  :D