Jonnys8

Hey guys, I was looking into painting the brake calipers on my 8 and I was wondering if it would be better to paint them or just buy a painted cover to put over them? Thanks!

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

paint them, very easy to do.
go to your local auto parts store and pick up some caliper paint. You can either spray or use a brush.

your choice, some people prefer one method over the other.

scolon

iTrader: (2)

I spray painted mine while I was upgrading brake lines. Its really easy just make sure you clean them before you paint them. There's a DIY somewhere in the forums on how to do it. And as far as the covers go, they look cheap and corny in my opinion.

ZOOM-I-DO

^^^^
Make sure you clean them well and then clean them again.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

Only use spray paint or spray on if you want to do it again in a year or two. G2 caliper paint, Duplicolor, or an equivalent HIGH TEMP BRAKE CALIPER paint is the only thing that will last through the wear and tear of the road and sun. Remeber you get what you pay for, and when it comes to painted calipers its a highly visible item. If it looks terrible people notice quickly.

Other things you will need to buy if you want it done really really well are:
Bucket of parts cleaner. (which you should always have anyways)
Brass wire brush (for cleaning the caliper, the cleaner you get it, the longer and stronger the paint will bond).
An extra can of brake cleaner.
Caliper grease (since your removing the calipers its a good opportunity to check the pins and make sure they are floating properly).
Pads if you need them.
Stainless Steel Brake Lines (plus a clutch line since you are already going to bleed the system) Since you are removing the calipers its a good opportunity to knock out two things at once.
Dot 4 or high temp brake fluid (Make certain you don't use Dot 4 it will destroy the ABS system).

This works best if you have a full 48-72 hours of down time. These heavy duty paints work best when left for a min of 24-48 hours to cure. The longer you let them cure the more likely you are not to damage them on installation. Do not by any means try to install them within 24 hours of being painted. I wouldn't even handle them (the oils in your hands are not the friends of paints).

If your going to do this be warned ahead of time!!!

Brake fluid may NEVER touch the caliper again. If it does say bye bye to the paint. Once you start to peel paint off it never stops. Here is a DIY on how to safely bleed them: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-brake-bleeding-flushing-210519/

You can NEVER spray brake cleaner on the brake system again. The only safe thing to use is soap and water. Any brake cleaner that touches paint will destroy it!!!! If you want to use brake cleaner on the rotors make sure you are far far away from the vehicle.

You will have to take extra time to keep them clean. Brake dust shows quickly, especially if your bedding in new brake pads. You will once a month (or after every track event/spirited drive) need to take invisible glass and a cloth and wipe the calipers down. Its not easy you will have to get into the deep areas to make sure it looks right.

Its a lot of work to maintain but very rewarding when done correctly. It does however stand out very badly when not done correctly.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...=brake+caliper

you can see the results here:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-stainless-steel-brake-lines-replacing-brake-lines-210510/

or in my photo link in my sig.

Grungepup

iTrader: (2)

Asmoran

He meant don't use DOT 5

monchie

It's better to paint them yourself. End of story.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

yes I meant Dot 5. sorry about the mistake. Dot 4 or high temp brake fluid sometimes its sold as Dot 3 and 4, or Just high temp. Make sure you don't use Dot 5 though.