Mick1
New member
The latest project was painting the calipers.
Pictures here: http://rhino4runnersuspension.shutterfly.com/pictures/2308
I have used the brush-on Duplicolor caliper paint kit from the local auto parts store on a previous vehicle. It works ok, and cost about $20. I went to two stores locally to find it, but they only had red color in stock. Gee, I wonder why???
Anyway, red for this truck seems a little racy / rice-y, and I wanted to go with something more subdued like silver or black to make it look nicer and be durable, but not be garish, however red probably would have looked ok. I like the brush on paints for this job, and didn't want to deal with the spray on paints from the local auto parts store.
I had never used POR 15, but heard good things about it. So I ended up ordering the POR 15 caliper paint kit for $39.50 shipped directly from its website. It cost 2x the duplicolor kit, but the price is not too bad because it actually comes with some high quality items like 3M masking tape, and good quality foam brushes. Usually they include the cheapest crap brushes and tape that should have never been produced. I also have a fair amount of paint left over after completing the job that I'll probably end up spreading on my skid plates.
Couple of items to note. The Marine Clean that comes in the kit is some pretty stout cleaner. I recall the directions indicates it is a "green" cleaner and not toxic or something, so I expected it to be a weak cleaner, maybe something on the order of Simple Green. Because of that I started off using regular brake cleaner, and brushes before using the Marine Clean.
I started cleaning up with a tooth brush, found it weak and went to the tool box for something stouter. Tried the nylon and brass brushes, before deciding that the stainless steel one worked and didn't hurt anything. Then I remember what I used the last time I did this job and went and found the stainless wheel attachment and scotchbrite attachment for my drill. Those get the job done.
No big deal to get it somewhat cleaned up initially, but I also liberally sprayed the Marine clean all over my Icon suspension and in the wheel well. After a few minutes I went and looked and it was taking the black coating off of the ABS sensor wire and turning it a yellow color. Opps! Time to rinse!
I rinsed it all with full pressure hose water. Made a mess in the garage, but no harm done. I did get my suspension parts clean for the first time since installation. :biggrin2:
The marine clean is a bit stinky. Smells like an acid, kinda like The Works shower cleaner.
The next step was the etcher. It came in a small bottle, but they did not include a spray nozzle for it. I used the spray nozzle for the marine clean with the long tube attached and was careful not to spill it.
Once all 4 calipers are cleaned up, and etched you can mask off the piston boots and bleed valves. The first coat is the POR 15, then followed with two coats of the caliper paint. I didn't use the gloves when painting, but should have. The paint is super tenacious and difficult to get off your hands.
I ended up with a lot of paint left so I tried the Butane trick (which is heavier than air) sprayed into the container, followed with saran wrap on the lid to store the left over paint. This should make the can easy to open and the paint preserved.
At the end of the day I had a headache for the stinky paint and better looking calipers that no one is likely to notice. :biggrin2:
Also note in the photos, I have over 30K miles on the truck and the brake pads look like there is a ton of life left.
Pictures here: http://rhino4runnersuspension.shutterfly.com/pictures/2308
Pictures here: http://rhino4runnersuspension.shutterfly.com/pictures/2308
I have used the brush-on Duplicolor caliper paint kit from the local auto parts store on a previous vehicle. It works ok, and cost about $20. I went to two stores locally to find it, but they only had red color in stock. Gee, I wonder why???
Anyway, red for this truck seems a little racy / rice-y, and I wanted to go with something more subdued like silver or black to make it look nicer and be durable, but not be garish, however red probably would have looked ok. I like the brush on paints for this job, and didn't want to deal with the spray on paints from the local auto parts store.
I had never used POR 15, but heard good things about it. So I ended up ordering the POR 15 caliper paint kit for $39.50 shipped directly from its website. It cost 2x the duplicolor kit, but the price is not too bad because it actually comes with some high quality items like 3M masking tape, and good quality foam brushes. Usually they include the cheapest crap brushes and tape that should have never been produced. I also have a fair amount of paint left over after completing the job that I'll probably end up spreading on my skid plates.
Couple of items to note. The Marine Clean that comes in the kit is some pretty stout cleaner. I recall the directions indicates it is a "green" cleaner and not toxic or something, so I expected it to be a weak cleaner, maybe something on the order of Simple Green. Because of that I started off using regular brake cleaner, and brushes before using the Marine Clean.
I started cleaning up with a tooth brush, found it weak and went to the tool box for something stouter. Tried the nylon and brass brushes, before deciding that the stainless steel one worked and didn't hurt anything. Then I remember what I used the last time I did this job and went and found the stainless wheel attachment and scotchbrite attachment for my drill. Those get the job done.
No big deal to get it somewhat cleaned up initially, but I also liberally sprayed the Marine clean all over my Icon suspension and in the wheel well. After a few minutes I went and looked and it was taking the black coating off of the ABS sensor wire and turning it a yellow color. Opps! Time to rinse!
I rinsed it all with full pressure hose water. Made a mess in the garage, but no harm done. I did get my suspension parts clean for the first time since installation. :biggrin2:
The marine clean is a bit stinky. Smells like an acid, kinda like The Works shower cleaner.
The next step was the etcher. It came in a small bottle, but they did not include a spray nozzle for it. I used the spray nozzle for the marine clean with the long tube attached and was careful not to spill it.
Once all 4 calipers are cleaned up, and etched you can mask off the piston boots and bleed valves. The first coat is the POR 15, then followed with two coats of the caliper paint. I didn't use the gloves when painting, but should have. The paint is super tenacious and difficult to get off your hands.
I ended up with a lot of paint left so I tried the Butane trick (which is heavier than air) sprayed into the container, followed with saran wrap on the lid to store the left over paint. This should make the can easy to open and the paint preserved.
At the end of the day I had a headache for the stinky paint and better looking calipers that no one is likely to notice. :biggrin2:
Also note in the photos, I have over 30K miles on the truck and the brake pads look like there is a ton of life left.
Pictures here: http://rhino4runnersuspension.shutterfly.com/pictures/2308
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