Painted Caliper Colors (please post)

[318ti - Fred]

Since installing BBS RK wheels on my car the brake calipers are really visible, so I figure I should make them look better by painting them. However I'm having trouble deciding on a color. Right now I'm vacillating between red, black, and silver.

The calipers on my 318ti are not too impressive, so I'm thinking red might not be the right choice. If I did go with red, I think I'd only paint the front.

Silver sounds a bit more interesting then black, but would it blend into my disk too much?

Anyway, if you have opinions or pictures of your calipers painted in either of these colors (red, gray, black), please post. Thanks

[G. P. Burdell]

I'm planning to paint or powdercoat my calipers black. I like the "stealth" look. The car is Montreal Blue, BTW.

[///M LIFE©]

Is it better to spray paint them? or to brush paint them? which is longer lasting

[jblack]

It is better to have them powder coated. Next best is brush on caliper paint. You can spray paint them with hi-temp paint, but it will be temporary. I have a black E36, and I have painted them silver, as that is the color they were from the factory. The paint should help them clean up a little easier.

[318ti - Fred]

Originally posted by ///M LIFE©
Is it better to spray paint them? or to brush paint them? which is longer lasting
Not sure, but I'm going to go with the G2 paint kit -- which is brush on. I'm not going to completely remove my calipers from the car, and I don't feel comfortable spraying any paint anywhere near my car.

[318ti - Fred]

Originally posted by G. P. Burdell
I'm planning to paint or powdercoat my calipers black. I like the "stealth" look. The car is Montreal Blue, BTW.
Sounds like a great idea, but would you need to remove the calipers for that -- and take them into the shop? This is my only car, so once I remove the calipers I'm stuck at home :)

Is powder coating smooth? If not would it tend to get dirty quick?

[G. P. Burdell]

Sounds like a great idea, but would you need to remove the calipers for that -- and take them into the shop?


Yes, the calipers have to be off the car, cleaned thoroughly, and disassembled for powdercoating. Since I'm getting four new calipers (E46 brakes for my E36), I'll just paint or powdercoat them before I install them. I'm still trying to decide whether to use the FoliaTec kit or send them out for powdercoating.



Is powder coating smooth? If not would it tend to get dirty quick?

The examples I've seen are pretty smooth. I have no first-hand experience with powdercoated parts, though. A powdercoated surface is allegedly more resistant to brake cleaner.

[10kken]

Fred, if you really want to get them powder coated, just rent a car for the day. Sometimes you can get deals for less than $30/day. Then you can take your brakes off, get them painted, and still run your life. Just a thought.

[Horizon]

Yes, the calipers have to be off the car, cleaned thoroughly, and disassembled for powdercoating. Since I'm getting four new calipers (E46 brakes for my E36), I'll just paint or powdercoat them before I install them. I'm still trying to decide whether to use the FoliaTec kit or send them out for powdercoating.

Are calipers expensive, and how much is it to have them sent for powder coating?

[bob(NJ)]

I used folia tec a little over a year ago and they seriously look the same as the day i painted them. The paint has held up perfect. The secret to haveing them turn out well is to make them as clean as possible. It took me about 2 hours to clean all 4 when my car was on the lift. OH and the kit gives u a lot of paint....they give u enough to paint two cars so if u split it with someone it would only cost u $25 each....

recent pic from hot import nights

http://www.jojopang.net/HINfinal/pages/DSCN3865.htm

[Filip75]

here're my TI front calipers. Painted with Foliatec red paint:

[Aren G]

a good friend of mine can get your calipers powder coated for a really good price.

email him at hhartouni@hotmail.com

and if you want he'll send you pictures, just email him

[Jethro]

Fredo,

I'm sure you've already seen my yellow calipers or just don't remember.

I used the Legend 5 kit, it was only $25 bucks and took me an afternoon. I was lazy and did it while they were on the car. Not too bright, should have removed them for a better job. The metal of the calipers is fairly pourous so I don't think you'll ever get a smooth highly glossy look like a Porsche caliper. I think yellow looks really good on a black car. Hell you've already gone off the deep end with your PSS-9's and other goodies, you should just pop the $1200 bucks for a Brembo Big Brake kit and it comes with the beauty units all glossy.

Here's a link to an early pic after the homemade paint job.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/bmw318ti/files/Members%20Cars/Jeff%20Smith/Dcp00661.jpg

Jeff
PSUDOM3

[bob(NJ)]

I did mine on the car too......U don't need to take ur calipers off, if u do it like bleeeding ur brakes.

[slvr98 M]

Here are my intec racing big brake kit.

[slvr98 M]

And the rears.

[Khoalty]

Why not just make em polished like this:buttrock
http://members.cox.net/khoalty/DSCN1970.JPG

[slvr98 M]

One more

[Bernanke]

If you are willing to wait a few weeks I can do yours. I just bought alot of expensive powdercoating equipment and I will be doing brake calipers and also Ceramic coating headers for fraction of the cost of what most places charge. anyways just let me know

[318ti - Fred]

Originally posted by Jethro
Fredo,

I'm sure you've already seen my yellow calipers or just don't remember.

I used the Legend 5 kit, it was only $25 bucks and took me an afternoon. I was lazy and did it while they were on the car. Not too bright, should have removed them for a better job. The metal of the calipers is fairly pourous so I don't think you'll ever get a smooth highly glossy look like a Porsche caliper. I think yellow looks really good on a black car. Hell you've already gone off the deep end with your PSS-9's and other goodies, you should just pop the $1200 bucks for a Brembo Big Brake kit and it comes with the beauty units all glossy.

Here's a link to an early pic after the homemade paint job.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/bmw318ti/files/Members%20Cars/Jeff%20Smith/Dcp00661.jpg

Jeff
PSUDOM3
Jeff. Good to hear from an old friend. Look at those cute little rear calipers. ;)

$1200 on Brembo Big Brakes!? Who has $1200 after buying a PSS-9 kit :) Remember I'm still out of work. It takes all my strength to keep from buying all those goodies in the group buy forum. Damn near bought the M3 mirrors today.

There's a guy on BimmerFest.com giving a good discount on the G2 paint kit to those signed up for the fest. So I thought this might be the time to do the brakes.

[318ti - Fred]

Originally posted by SupaBimma
If you are willing to wait a few weeks I can do yours. I just bought alot of expensive powdercoating equipment and I will be doing brake calipers and also Ceramic coating headers for fraction of the cost of what most places charge. anyways just let me know
Would I have to drive to Texas :). This is my only can and I can't afford to have it out of duty for long.

Anyway, I think I'm going cheap and sticking with paint on these calipers. I should consider some larger OEM calipers later -- can't afford the aftermarket "Big Brake" kits. Perhaps I'll spend more money on prepping them.

[RanGer498]

Originally posted by jblack
It is better to have them powder coated. Next best is brush on caliper paint. You can spray paint them with hi-temp paint, but it will be temporary. I have a black E36, and I have painted them silver, as that is the color they were from the factory. The paint should help them clean up a little easier.

i used hi temp paint on my stealth and supra and both have lasted over 5 years already.

i go red all thetime looks best to me!

[G. P. Burdell]

Originally posted by Horizon
Are calipers expensive, and how much is it to have them sent for powder coating?

Most powdercoating shops charge $30 to $50 per caliper. Then you have to add the cost of rebuilding them when you get them back.

[stjobs]

"You can spray paint them with hi-temp paint, but it will be temporary"

Not true. I have had mine painted with hi-temperature engine paint and made many hard stops and the finish is perfect. The paint cost $10 for one can of red and one can of clear.

I just masked off the sides of my car with newspaper so no paint got on it... it is easy to control the paint even with the calipers on the car.

The key is to clean them. It took me 2 hours per caliper...

stjobs

[///M LIFE©]

I am debating on painting then silver or red :az:

[KmanM3]

I did mine in black with ///M colors on the logo. The pic is here:

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=72742&highlight=calipers

:)

[SI///M3]

I did mine a year and a half ago with the foila tech kit and it still looks perfect. I don't have any caliper only shots but the link in my sig has pictures where you can see them through the wheels....

[Flawless /|/|3]

where can one but a can or kit to do a DIY job on their calipers?? and how much would it run for the can or kit????

[Preppy]

I did it. I prefer red the most...

...this is with stock brakes and rotors...and excuse the rustiness of the brakes :az:

..wonder if this will show up...it's gonna be a big picture....

http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/b10d59b2/bc/Kimberly/__hr_DSC00380.jpg?bcHMrh.AZU3jc7B6

Make sure you keep them clean, b/c they get dirty from brake dust QUICK...:az:

[10kken]

Several people have mentioned how important it is to clean the calipers to insure a good paint job. What's the best way to clean the calipers? Special cleaner? Brush?

BTW, I think red is the best. If you're going to go to all that trouble to paint them, let it show.

[Filip75]

Originally posted by Flawless /|/|3
where can one but a can or kit to do a DIY job on their calipers?? and how much would it run for the can or kit????
I forgot the name of the website, but it came out to about $50 shipped

[rdorffer]

I have been rebuilding brake calipers and powder coating them. I have a few sets of brake calipers available (E30, E30 M3, E28, E24 and E36 M3) that are in various stages of clean-up.

My process includes complete disassembly, complete media blasting of the calipers themselves, polishing the pistons, new caliper seal kits, new guide bushing kits, new bleeder valves, and epoxy powder coating in color of choice. I complete reassembly following BMW's and Ate's instructions utilizing the proper supplies like Ate brake caliper rebuild grease and Ate Plastilube.

My plan, to have sets ready to go and then powder coat to someones color of choice (black, red, silver, blue, green, yellow, etc.), ship them the set with a core charge, and then they can do the swap in an afternoon and ship the core calipers back to me.

Here are some pics of some E30 calipers I have done:

[rdorffer]

And here is another pic. If someone is interested in doing something with me, let me know and I can tell you what is possible.

[318ti - Fred]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to go for silver. Red looks great on big brakes when you want to say...."hey, look at these nice big brakes". I don't know if I should be hilighting my ti's stock brakes. I think something clean, but not to flashy is the way to go.

Thanks for all your comments and pics!

[stex]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jethro
[B]Fredo,
[QUOTE]
I'm sure you've already seen my yellow calipers or just don't remember.

I used the Legend 5 kit, it was only $25 bucks and took me an afternoon. I was lazy and did it while they were on the car. Not too bright, should have removed them for a better job. The metal of the calipers is fairly pourous so I don't think you'll ever get a smooth highly glossy look like a Porsche caliper. I think yellow looks really good on a black car. Hell you've already gone off the deep end with your PSS-9's and other goodies, you should just pop the $1200 bucks for a Brembo Big Brake kit and it comes with the beauty units all glossy.

Hey...
I still have an unused Legend 5 YELLOW can of paint. I never got to use it on my last car (won my lemon law case!!) Anyway, I'll sell it for $20 shipped. BRAND NEW.
Yellow wouldn't look good on my silver 328...

Chris

[C///M]

If I remove my calipers to paint them...what's the best way to plug the brake lines to keep from pouring brake fluid all over the ground for the 24+ hours the calipers will be off the car?

[Firefighter]

rdorffer,
What kind of pricing are we looking at ???
I have a '97 M3