Brake Calipers: Engine Paint or Powdercoat?

[N40GL]

As I get closer to putting the MM up for the winter, I figure this might be the year I actually get around to correcting the, uh, 'color problem' on my calipers. Kenny Brown put Baer brakes on the front; rears are stock. Although my car has never seen a Chicago winter (where I had it) or a Virginia winter (where it is now), enough of the salt residue survived through the spring to gradually eat away at the once-pristine black finish (with silver lettering). So I figure that once the car is up on jack stands, I will pull the wheels and get some color on there.

Here's my question: I was recently having a car conversation with the Ford rep who lives down the street, and mentioned that I would probably clean the calipers with brake cleaner and then paint them with engine paint. He said 'why don't you get them powdercoated?' We then got into a discussion about whether the calipers needed to be disassembled for powdercoating, and concluded that it probably wouldn't harm the pistons, since the powdercoating oven doesn't get as hot as the brake caliper does in action. I would have to take off the pads, but that's about it.

Granted, painting is easier than powdercoating (I'm sure I can find a shop in Virginia that'll do it). But is one or the other more durable? Either way, I probably need to use some silver engine paint on the Baer logo, so that's no savings.

So let me throw this question out to the group - what would YOU do? (Set the question of cost aside for the moment - if one turns out to be radically different in cost, I'll probably do the less expensive one; I just want to know what people thing about either process.)

[KillJoy]

Eastwood's G2 Brake Paint is nice



KillJoy

[sd8683]

Originally Posted by killjoy

eastwood's g2 brake paint is nice :d



Killjoy

^^^^^+1^^^^^

[Zack]

The calipers would have to be completely disassembled for powdercoating.
I dont thing the rubber seals will withstand 800+ degrees for a few hours.

[Krytin]

Originally Posted by Zack

The calipers would have to be completely disassembled for powdercoating.
I dont thing the rubber seals will withstand 800+ degrees for a few hours.

What he^^^^^said.
The G2 paint will last as long as the powder coat finish.

[Marauderman]

Originally Posted by Krytin

What he^^^^^said.
The G2 paint will last as long as the powder coat finish.

Since we are seeking such info....where is this Eastwood G2 paint found?

[DOOM]

Mark just paint them and put a clear coat on top of the paint.

[sd8683]

Originally Posted by Marauderman

Since we are seeking such info....where is this Eastwood G2 paint found?

You can get it pretty cheap on eBay

[CRUZTAKER]

Originally Posted by KillJoy

Eastwood's G2 Brake Paint is nice



KillJoy

Originally Posted by sd8683

^^^^^+1^^^^^

Originally Posted by Krytin

What he^^^^^said.
The G2 paint will last as long as the powder coat finish.

^^^^ditto x3^^^^

Originally Posted by sd8683

You can get it pretty cheap on eBay

Eastwood's website is better. And they frequently have sales.

[DTRMiguel]

I used a 2000 degree header paint i grabbed from advanced. Works good for me

[N40GL]

Originally Posted by DR. DOOM

Mark just paint them and put a clear coat on top of the paint.

Can I get hi-temp clearcoat? Or will it chip off as the temp varies?

[Marauderjack]

I painted mine with a Dupli-Color caliper kit for $20.00 and it has enough paint for 3 cars!!!

Interesting thing though, the paint is ceramic to withstand very high temps and I have yet to feel the calipers warm to the touch while the rotors are EXTREMELY HOT!!!

Think about it...the calipers have to stay below the boiling point of the fluid so almost any paint you chose will be fine!!

My $.02....FWIW??

Marauderjack

[bigmerc2003]

Question to all:

Would powder coating keep too much heat in the caliper? The paint is thinner and would let the metal dissipate the heat better vs the thick powder coat. Powder coating is similar to ceramic coating right? and ceramic coating on headers keeps the heat in the tubes and out of the engine bay and since the object here is cooler brakes powder coating would be bad?

[CRUZTAKER]

Originally Posted by DTRMiguel

I used a 2000 degree header paint i grabbed from advanced. Works good for me

Yeah but will it appear new as if you just did them 5 minutes ago FIVE years from now?

Unlikely.

G3 is guaranteed and known to last the life of the caliper, never fade, and never dust tarnish/stain.

[Drock96Marquis]

I used duplicolor's hi-heat ceramic engine enamel (gloss black) on my Merc about 2 years ago, and my Mark VIII 1 year ago. Both still look like new.
Cleaned and prepped them very good, two coats of their engine enamel primer, 3 coats of the gloss black, 2 coats of the engine enamel clear.
Very inexpensive and easy to do.
I put a few coats of Klasse AIO on them anytime the wheels are off as well (It's not high heat resistant or anything, but I never had a problem doing so and it really helps resist brake dust from accumulating)

The factory calipers are rough-cast, so without significant smoothing and prep you won't get that sleek aftermarket caliper look - but it still looks way better than the stock dull gray casting.

Pic of the painted calipers on my Mark;






The Eastwood system mentioned above sounds nice too, though. I'm normally always impressed with their specialty coatings, but I had never even heard about that caliper paint before. I'll have to give it a try some time. Thanks for the suggestion