Spraying Calipers?

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saka_ZXR
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Spraying Calipers?

Post by saka_ZXR »

Ive had the wheels out to get em powdercoated and was cleaning up the back end and i noticed my calipers are looking rather sorry with most of the paint flaking off, if i dismantle the calipers is it safe to spray paint em?
If it's broke spray it with WD40, if it's still broke spray it again and leave it over night, if it's still broke, bin it.
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by will#224 »

yep, you can even buy brake caliper paint in an aerosol. Halfords do it but as usual they are a bit expensive.
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by saka_ZXR »

But standard works aswell?

Looks like a trip to halfords is in order for some tomorrow then.
If it's broke spray it with WD40, if it's still broke spray it again and leave it over night, if it's still broke, bin it.
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by Mori Man »

Two trains of thought:

1.Painted with standard acrylic and lacquered they don't cool down as quick so if your a heavy breaker your going to feel fade sooner.

2. Painted with exhaust paint or any other heat dispersant paint they cool down quicker prolonging fade. I have used " Pot Black " in the past :smt004

If your stripping them down have them bead blasted - nice finish and ultimate cooling. :smt001

Anodizing is also possible but recommend the bead blast 1st to get a nicer finish.
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by mongo »

Mori Man wrote:Two trains of thought:

1.Painted with standard acrylic and lacquered they don't cool down as quick so if your a heavy breaker your going to feel fade sooner.

2. Painted with exhaust paint or any other heat dispersant paint they cool down quicker prolonging fade. I have used " Pot Black " in the past :smt004

If your stripping them down have them bead blasted - nice finish and ultimate cooling. :smt001

Anodizing is also possible but recommend the bead blast 1st to get a nicer finish.

You can also wire brush them then sand them, dont just paint over the top, the paint will flake off soon after you have done it.
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by Gemini »

i just used a can of hard-hat matt black, a couple of light coats and they look the bollox

brakes work just as well as b4

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will#224
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by will#224 »

If you get them bead blasted protect the cylinder bores. Its easy to remove material with the bead blasting and it would affect the seal.

My recommendation would be, if you go to halfrauds, get a tub of paint remover, over a few days strip them completely using a small wire brush too, then if you have any corrosion use some of there alloy wheel cleaner and a paint brush, only use this in small quantities as it is corrosive itself if you use too much. Then Wash, dry and prepare for painting.
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by saka_ZXR »

Trip to halford is in order after college today then ;)

So its just a matter of wire brushing them then removing exess paint with paint remover? Then use alloy wheel cleaner on corrosion?
If it's broke spray it with WD40, if it's still broke spray it again and leave it over night, if it's still broke, bin it.
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by will#224 »

The nitromors paint stripper wants to be applied all over the painted surface, it will remove all the paint, i did it to mine a few weeks back. The wire brush will loosen any stubborn bits. Hose them down and re apply if you've not got all the paint off. Then if all the corrosion and brake dust hasn't come off just use a bit of ally wheel cleaner and that'll get the rest off. Its very very corrosive though so be carefull, dont get it on clothes or anywhere else on your bike. Wash the calipers down again. Let them dry fully and make sure they are clean then spray them up. Some masking tape would cover the caliper bores or pistons and seals if your leaving them in though i'd recommend stripping them completely if possible for a thorough job
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by saka_ZXR »

B4 I spray my calipers do I have to primer them or can I simply spray straigh onto the caliper?
If it's broke spray it with WD40, if it's still broke spray it again and leave it over night, if it's still broke, bin it.
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by masterofinsanity »

depends what paint you are using for the top coat?
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Re: Spraying Calipers?

Post by saka_ZXR »

Well i went ahead and tried it without primer as i wanted it done asap, used halfrauds rattle cans, i put a few coats on and it looks awesome :)
If it's broke spray it with WD40, if it's still broke spray it again and leave it over night, if it's still broke, bin it.
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