How to paint GXP calipers?

[xyeLz]

Just received my set from Andree and needless to say they need a fresh coat! What do I need to tale into consideration?

What type of paint will last?

[ChibiBlackSheep]

Any high-heat paint with a nice clear coat should last.

I really like the G2 paint kits. Powdercoating is always a great option too.

[BonnieBoy08]

Any caliper paint will do. Can be found at any local auto store. Mask off the areas you don't want painted and spray away. You can disassemble them too but at that point you may as well take them in to get sandblasted and powder coated. That will offer the best finish that will last for years and years to come. I just rattle canned mine with them still on the car and masked off everything with newspaper and tape. Only time you can tell I did a half a** job is when the tire is off the car.

[2000Silverbullet]

Use the Duplicolour kits.

[xyeLz]

Thanks all. Can someone walk me through how to disassemble the calipers?

[ChibiBlackSheep]

Jack up car, take off the tire. Then it's just a matter of 4 bolts. 2 take the caliper off, then remove the brake pads (remember and label where they came from if you aren't replacing) and the other 2 take the bracket off.

Use a little white lithium on the bolts when putting them back in if they are slide pins (not sure if you car has the slide pin or not)

[xyeLz]

Ahh sorry I think I said it wrong.

I am actually looking how to take the calipers themselves apart. I am having them powdercoated and to be honest I think I am going to have the caliper and the bracket both painted red.

What do I need to make sure is removed and how?

[nos4blood70]

Use the Duplicolour kits.

+1. You get a lot of paint if you buy the brush on variety and it is VERY durable. Going on almost 4 years on my car now.

[Ghosthawk]

Not sure on the price of powdercoating but it will require you to COMPLETELY disassemble the calipers, removing all rubber boot parts and ejecting the pistons. Then when you get the calipers and brackets back, you would need to make sure all the orifices are clear and the piston bore has NO powder residue. I rebuilt ONE set of calipers in my time and there is a good reason why full assemblies are readily available at good prices.

Carl and others are dead on about the paint. I used high heat ceramic engine paint on mine and they are three years old and still holding up well. Painting can be done on the car and you can easily mask off the places where paint will interfere with proper brake function.

If youre dead set on powdercoating, then check online where you can purchase powdercoated, pre-assembled calipers ready to install. (then your brake system will need to be completely bled but that can be done relatively easy)

[2000Silverbullet]

Powder coating may be the ultimate but totally a waste of money. The duplicolour kit contains a paint specifically formulated for the job.
The only way you could tell the difference is by taking off the wheel and close examination. The other benefit is you can touch them up with the same paint and no prep.
Mine have been done this way for 35 years!!

If you do want to go the powder coating way you will have to blow the cups out with compressed air. I have only blown out single pistons.....not sure how the second piston will come out if one is already out but hopefully they both pop out at the same time.

[harofreak00]

Unless you are building a show car, there is no need to have the calipers I sent you re-powder coated. Some touchup paint on the chips would be fine.

[2000Silverbullet]

Yes those look very good and shouldn't need painting to look better than this....







LOL had to throw this one in there.

[xyeLz]

Okay well I'm not too keen on taking them all apart so I'm tempted to just leave them together then. The powdercoater quoted me $150 for the entire set in red.

What parts do I need to tape off?

[2000Silverbullet]

If you use the Duplicolour kit, it brushes on so no taping required. The paint smooths out after application and looks better than spray.....cures in minutes. Laqueur thinner only to clean brush.

[sextrosgxp]

Go to the GXP section. I did a write up with pics how to paint GXP calipers up. The calipers are not that expensive. To be honest I wouldn't even screw with used calipers. Use them as cores and buy new ones. From there clean the crap out of them and use scotch bright pad on them so the paint and primer has something to stick to.

Next two coats of high temp primer
3-4 coats high temp red paint. Spray works best
I found some high temp Pontiac decals for the calipers
3-4 coats of high temp clear
Bake in the oven at 200-250 degress
Cool
Bake again for 30 mins
Cool
Install

One other thing. Don't waster your time powdercoating. I looked into it. The issue is these have screw out style pistons and are a b@tch to tear apart and reassemble.

[xyeLz]

Wouldn't that still require me to take them apart since you're backing them in the oven?

Honestly, for $150, it seems more worth it to just take them apart and drive them in to be powdercoated if I'm going to spend ~$50 on paint anyways. I'll probably hold off on both methods anyways and wait until my coil springs get here. Then I can have them both painted at the same time.

[harofreak00]

$20 for paint, not $50.

http://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-BCP40 ... iper+paint

[xyeLz]

Oh sorry - I was referring to the process described above with primer, red paint, and clear.

[2000Silverbullet]

If you don't use the duplicolour kit you are foolish lol. It's a no brainer.

[00Beast]

sextros did his for all show. Clean the calipers well, repaint the brackets black and touch up the red, and you'll be great. Anything else is foolish, IMHO. $20 vs 150? No brainer.