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.):help:

[KillJoy]

Eastwood's G2 Brake Paint is nice :D

:up:

KillJoy

[sd8683]

eastwood's g2 brake paint is nice :d

:up:

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]

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]

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. :up: :D

[sd8683]

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


You can get it pretty cheap on eBay

[CRUZTAKER]

Eastwood's G2 Brake Paint is nice :D

:up:

KillJoy


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


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


^^^^ditto x3^^^^


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 :up:

[N40GL]

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

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!!!:beer:

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!!!:eek:

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

My $.02....FWIW??:confused:

Marauderjack:burnout:

[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]

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


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;
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/627328/fullsize/sta71807.jpg





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 :up:

[Marauderjack]

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?


I repeat......the calipers never get very hot.....only the friction surfaces do!!!:shake:

Brake fluid boils at 284* (wet) and 470* (dry) so I dare say the calipers will never see 250* or safety becomes an issue with brake fade!!!:eek:

Powder coating is not necessary as there are many paints that can do the job!!:beer:

[fastblackmerc]

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

"800+ degrees!!!!!"

Are you on crack man????

Did that V10 fall on your head???

Powder coating cures at temperatures that range from 160 to 210 degrees depending on the powder. You can cure powder coating in your home oven!

[fastblackmerc]

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?

His original calipers were most likely powder coated. I don't see power coating being a heat retention issue.

"Powder coatings can be applied over a wide range of thickness. The new Australian Standard, "AS/NZS 4506 - Thermoset powder coatings", will recommend 25 micron minimum for mild interior applications and up to 60 micron minimum for exterior applications. Care must be exercised when quoting minimum thickness because some powder will not give "coverage" below 60 or even 80 micron. "Coverage" is the ability to cover the colour of the metal with the powder. Some of the white colours require about 75 micron to give full "coverage". One of the orange colours must be applied at 80 micron."

[cougar9150]

You could always get them Anodized if you wanted that permanent scratch proof finish. This would require stripping the entire cailper and sending them off for a week or 2.
I used the G2 silver paint on my MM. Got it for about $40 on ebay.
Here is the manufacturers website http://www.g2usa.com/. I was impressed with the quality of the kit but you really have to clean the crap out of the calipers. It's also very tedious doing this on the car. I would almost recommend completly removing them from the car and doing a thorough cleaning on the bench, atpe off all of the rubber pieces and you'll be good to go. The brake paint and engine paint are the same thing just different kits. the engine kit is larger so costs more.
My buddy used the Duplicolor kit on his Sport Trac around the same time I di mine and the paint is chipping and fading.(not sure if he was as anal about cleaning them as I was)
Next time I need to do my brakes I will be buying brand new ones all the way around and painting them before I ever get grease or road grime on them since that was the hardest part for me. It was just a pain to clean them on the car plus I would like to be able to hang the caliper up and spray them using my compresser.

[ledzilla]

I used the G2 kit last summer to paint my calipers. Used the black kit. Turned out very nice. They still look great, except for where it was obvious that I didn't do good enough prep. There are a few bad spots all around, but they haven't gotten worse since the winter. I eventually plan to get another G2 kit, but I was thinking blue this time. And if I do it, I'm with Cougar above, getting all new calipers and painting them before they ever see the open road. I should also mention that if you have any left over, use it to touch up your rotors. I hit the center spots that the pads don't touch and it looks great. I replaced the front rotors and haven't painted them, but the rears haven't been replaced yet, and it looks soooooooo much better than rusty stock.

[justbob]

You will still have problems from the manufacturer (grease, oily machining, finger prints) just to name a few. I would still be anal (nasty word) about prep.

[Richy04]

A little trick,

After you clean them by hand..


When your wife leaves the house, throw them in the dishwasher.. Then run it a few times with dishwashing soap empty to clean it out..

Make sure you plug the brake line port and any way water can enter the caliper.. Ancient chinese secret!!

[TAKEDOWN]

A little trick,

After you clean them by hand..


When your wife leaves the house, throw them in the dishwasher.. Then run it a few times with dishwashing soap empty to clean it out..

Make sure you plug the brake line port and any way water can enter the caliper.. Ancient chinese secret!!

LOL! or is that the ancient chinese water torture technique LOL! Isn't it a shame how us men sneak around to do things, and we call ourselves men! I think my balls are in my wife's purse :beer:

[Richy04]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjNRXfRXnoc

[ImpalaSlayer]

fyi powdercoating is not done at 800 degrees for hours its done at 400ish for 20-30 mins

[N40GL]

fyi powdercoating is not done at 800 degrees for hours its done at 400ish for 20-30 mins

I'm glad someone else said that so I didn't have to.