Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Caliper covers or paint?

You should look closer at some home caliper paint jobs..You might want to expand on the poser comment. :lol:

Some should never handle the rattle can, EVER! :lol:

 

IMO leave them stock. Painting looks nice, but can take a lot of upkeep. Unless you disassemble and powdercoat or something else very durable, you will most likely see some chipping. I would always have to touch up multiple times a year. I suppose a good compromise would be a 'bare metal' color.

 

Powder coat is the best, but you need to remove and disassemble the calipers. Here is a set I had done for my VW:


Unfortunately you cant disassemble the rear brakes like the front because of the parking brake mechanism. I had the carriers powder coated and then painted calipers. With proper prep the paint will last a long time.

 

Not recomended but can be done

Dissembled rear R53 caliper prior to powder coating. Required a special cage lock tool for re-assemble. All other parts were thoroughly cleaned and polished.
There is no kit for the rear yet that I know of, they are still none serviceable calipers?

Powder-coating is the best looking and is more durable over painting but still can chip.

Before disassemble of the rear R53 caliper and prep work for powder-coating


After prep work:



Here is my MINI front caliper with finished powder-coating.

 

Nitrominis those look good

 

:cornut: MAN!, every thing on your entire car looks GREAT!

Jason

 

I think I want to paint LW's calipers, without taking them off of the car.
Any recommendations for types/brands of kits?
TIA!

*sigh*
I have no idea how to take the wheels off.
One thing keeps leading to about 10 others...

 

I used the G2 paint system.

Jim

G2 Brake Caliper Paint System Set - Local Business - Mundelein | Facebook

 

1. Loosen Lug Bolts on Wheel

2. Jack car up to put that wheel in the air

3. Remove Lug Bolts.

Now...keep in mind that these Caliper Paints usually require 24 hours to dry, Really is best to put car on jack stands when doing this so all 4 can be done at once.

 

You just need to use a brush-on kit if you don't want to remove anything.

I used the Duplicolor red brush on kit. I dont recommend it. It takes a lot of touch ups now and then as it seems to chip easily. I regretted painting mine, though they did look nice.

I would recommend taking the caliper off the disk, pop the pads out, mask, and shoot

 

The G2 brush-on kits do work very well on the car, with proper prep and masking and cure time (overnight, or better yet a day or two). Very hard catalyzed paint lasts a long time and sheds most dust. When properly applied, the paint flows out with no brush marks, etc.

VERY thorough scrubbing / cleaning prior to paint is the key to good adhesion with these kits. Use multiple cans of brake cleaner...

 

I don't have jack stands.
This project is too advanced for me.
I got all cocky because I cleaned the engine bay and thought I could do anything.

I'm not giving it up, just putting it on the back burner for now.

Edit to add: Thanks for all the advice and tips.
It's all right here for anyone to use.
I will return to this thread.

 

Thanks Chuck,
That's really nice.
Yes, I need to learn how to change a tire and also how to change oil.
We have kept the run flats on my car so I don't have to change a tire, with AAA as back up, in addition to MINI roadside assistance. Too bad none of those folks will help me paint brake calipers! :crazy:

So, I've been reading up on carbon deposits and how to clean it off the valves. Now I'm just dying to take the manifold cover off just to peek in there.
Y'all are influencing me, but I think it's good.
I never in a million would have thought that I would find a car so interesting!

 

Not doing it!
I would love to look though.

 

That's good to know.
Sometimes a product costs twice as much for no reason and sometimes it's for a very good reason.
G2 sounds like the way to go.
This sounds like the sort of thing you don't want to have to prep and do over again.
Thanks.

 

was going to duplicolor or powder coat mine but i will look into this g2

 

Powder coat does not sound bad, but not sure of its heat resistance those calipers warm up a bit.