Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Caliper covers or paint?

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by ole97texas, Dec 28, 2011.

  1. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    I forgot that I had pics of the BBQ Grill painted calipers! This pic was taken after a few hundred miles w/ new pads, so they are kinda dusty but still look pretty good for a $4 rattle-can of spray paint and they look just as nice after a track weekend, so the finish can take the heat.

    A touch of natural wax can be applied gently if you prefer a bit of gloss over flat.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Little Wing

    Little Wing New Member

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    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...
     
  3. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    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.
     
  5. iwashmycar

    iwashmycar Active Member

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    #25 iwashmycar, Jun 29, 2012
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2012
    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
     
  6. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    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...
     
  7. Little Wing

    Little Wing New Member

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    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. :eek:

    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. :Thumbsup:
    I will return to this thread.
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I do agree this is not a job for someone who has yet to change a tire. FWIW it is a very good skill to have. If you lived in my area I'd help you do it. Maybe someone down your way could help you.
     
  9. Little Wing

    Little Wing New Member

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    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. :Thumbsup:
    I never in a million would have thought that I would find a car so interesting!
     
  10. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    You would have to take the intake manifold off to see the intake valves.

    Dave
     
  11. Little Wing

    Little Wing New Member

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    Not doing it!
    I would love to look though.
     
  12. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    The G2 paint kit is 1000 times better than the Dupli-color kit. I have used both. DP kit first and it chipped a lot. I used a wire brush on a drill and stripped it and covered it with the G2 kit and it looks great and does not chip. Well unless you drop the rim on the caliper when taking a rim off. (duh)

    I had 2 G2 kits and did two coats and they still look great after 2 years. I live in the NE so we get snow and use salt and I drive my car all real long. No performance garage queen sitting on jack stands here. The G2 kit paint holds up.
     
  13. Little Wing

    Little Wing New Member

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    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.
     
  14. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    G2 you have to mix and use it all at once because it has a hardener you mix into the paint.

    The DP kit is just brush on spray paint. I ordered my G2 paint from Amazon ....read the reviews on Amazon for the G2 paint. It's good stuff.
     
  15. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    The kit in Red from Amazon...

    [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Temperature-Leveling-G2-Caliper-System/dp/B000AUMYMM"]Amazon.com: High Temperature High Gloss Self Leveling Brush On Red G2 Brake Caliper Paint System Kit: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61W7ZB5AKTL.@@AMEPARAM@@61W7ZB5AKTL[/ame]
     
  16. AliceCooper

    AliceCooper Club Coordinator

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    The G2 material I am pretty sure is epoxy which is good very hard drying and heat resistant chit. The others like duplicolor etc. are just high heat enamels which look good but do not have the durability of epoxy. Just make sure you use the epoxy in a well ventillated area or you will get high as a kite and mess your whole job up :)
     
  17. drabdub

    drabdub Well-Known Member

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

    AliceCooper Club Coordinator

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

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