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I'm putting new brakes on the GXP and want to powdercoat the calipers. I have been told two different things when powdercoating. I've been told the calipers need to be completely torn apart. All rubber boots, piston, etc must be removed. So in short, a new caliper must be broke down and then rebuilt.

I have also been told all these parts can be taped off and powdercoated without disassembly of the caliper.

Anyone have any insight on powdercoating? Do I need to completely breakdown the caliper?

Tearing them down is the right way to do it. I've never seen it done any other way.

Powdercoating involves putting them in a 400° oven for a period of time to bake the coating. You'd melt the rubber, etc if you didn't take it out.

You got it BEAST! ^^^^^^^^^^ I would just use a ceramic high heat paint personally. I painted my calipers orange a year ago with VHT brand paint after lightly scuffing them. After numerous car washes and a winter from hell the paint still looks good and is sticking well.

But aren't the rubber boots made to withstand high heat? If I remove the boots and separate the bracket can I get away with leaving the piston in?

I used some brush on VHT caliper paint and almost 2 years of super dusty pads and they still shimmer red and beautiful... When I wipe them off. XD

Yeah, I'd just use some brush on paint, unless that is you have an inside to powdercoating. I work with a couple guys that could get stuff done cheap for me, but not everyone is lucky enough to have that.

Powdercoater here only wants 100 bucks or 25 per caliper. So for that price it makes sense to powdercoat over paint. I'm going to swing by the powdercoater tomorrow with the calipers and see what they say.

What are you really gaining though by powdercoating? I like it too, but you're not getting any material performance benefit vs. the regular stuff most use. Unless you're auto-x'ing the car, your brakes will never get to the temps where normal brake caliper paint/treatments can't withstand that heat, much less powdercoating...

the biggest thing with the PC is that its more resistant to chipping and flaking than Paint

The biggest benefit is the finish. Powdercoating comes out better than brush on paint. And for the price it saves me the hassle. If I decide to paint does the spray VHT cover well?

Is it worth the labor though to dissassemble the caliper completely though...

Proper preparation is key on the spray/brush on stuff, but if you do it right, it'll last just as long.

Just got back from the powdercoater. Yes the caliper has to be brokedown including the piston coming out. For 25 bucks a caliper they smooth it out, dip it in zinc, powdercoat and for another 5 bucks they will hit it with some hi temp clear. Now...how much does my mechanic want to break them down. I could do it, but do not have an air compressor so blow air in the caliper to get it to pop.

Figure about an hour worth of labor at about $100/hr. So $100'ish?

Doesn't take much air. Spare tire might be enough. Assembling a hose might be a pain.

You could buy a small compressor for tear down cost.

...or, just run down to the local gas station and use the air compressor for fiddycent.

...or, just buy a bicycle tire pump. It won't take much to pop those little turkeys out.

So after meeting with my mechanic the powercoating is a no go. The back calipers have a screw out style piston so reassembly now becomes cost prohibitive. Vht paint it is

Like I said, VHT high heat paint is great. Just make sure to create a good paintable surface before hand. I used the rattle can VHT and sprayed it on, couldn't be happier with how it has help up.

I have my GXP calipers Painted with the Duplicolor Caliper paint, and it has held up awesome. I have had to do a few touch ups here and there, but over 4 years, i cant complain.

buy some brake clean at the parts store and clean, clean, clean your calipers before you paint

and scuff sand ^^^