Powdercoating my calipers

[Swimmerboy2112]

Hello all,

I recently picked up a set of 231mm calipers to do the Tundra brake swap.

I figured since they were used I was gonna rebuild them, and might as well get them powdercoated first.

But what color?

Here is a picture of my wheels.



Truck is the basic Desert Dune with silver bottom trim (Limited model).

The boy-racer in me says red but the adult in me says silver.

Let's hear what you think!

 

[BrianSD_42]

I love powder coating, did my wheels already but I don't believe there is any need to PC calipers.

You can just use caliper paint kit to paint them. I did all 4 calipers on my old 330 BMW and it held up really well.

You buy a specific paint kit, usually about $25 that is meant for painting calipers.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I voted sliver. Red is kind of HIgh school-ish.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

I love powder coating, did my wheels already but I don't believe there is any need to PC calipers.

You can just use caliper paint kit to paint them. I did all 4 calipers on my old 330 BMW and it held up really well.

You buy a specific paint kit, usually about $25 that is meant for painting calipers.

I voted sliver. Red is kind of HIgh school-ish.

I've painted calipers before and it never seemed to hold up well. I'm pretty dead-set on powdercoating these.

Silver is my first choice as well, just looking for opinions.

 

[shootmymime]

Yeah save it and paint them. Check out my build thread when I cleaned and painted my junk yard ones. They still look good.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Powder doesn't work out well on calipers. GOOD caliper paint works for a while. If you do PC them, make sure they keep all of the bores clean, best to leave the pistons installed for that, and plug the bleeder, or leave it in, and the hose threads, or leave the hose on. Uh yup

:couch2:

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

Yeah save it and paint them. Check out my build thread when I cleaned and painted my junk yard ones. They still look good.

Powder doesn't work out well on calipers. GOOD caliper paint works for a while. If you do PC them, make sure they keep all of the bores clean, best to leave the pistons installed for that, and plug the bleeder, or leave it in, and the hose threads, or leave the hose on. Uh yup

:couch2:

I'm pretty set on powdercoating, I have a buddy who does it so it won't cost much at all.

I've never had personal experience on powdercoating calipers but a buddy has his done on his Supra and they are holding up well a year later.

I will make sure all the holes are plugged, like you said I will be keeping the pistons in (it's getting a rebuild kit anyway). And i'll probably keep the hoses on as well.

 

[BrianSD_42]

This is the paint I used on my calipers and it worked out great.

This is not just paint but a total kit and high temp automotive paint.

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: High Temperature High Gloss Self Leveling Brush On Silver G2 Brake Caliper Paint System Kit


:banana:

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

This is the paint I used on my calipers and it worked out great.

This is not just paint but a total kit and high temp automotive paint.

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: High Temperature High Gloss Self Leveling Brush On Silver G2 Brake Caliper Paint System Kit


:banana:

I've seen that before and i've had friends who have used it with success, but I am pretty well set on powdercoating.

 

[Dirtyfingers]

I've seen that before and i've had friends who have used it with success, but I am pretty well set on powdercoating.

Dang dude you sound like a broken record. I think you should do what you want. Seems like you're pretty set on powder coating.

 

[zgensler31]

I think you should paint them....
Just kidding man. I just installed some powerstop tundra calipers that they powder coated red, and they look pretty sweet!

 

[hurt4x]

powder coating would be nice. But just a heads up, the oven to bake the paint will probably destroy all of the seals in your calipers if you don't completely disassemble them. Our oven stays at a little over 350 but the temps get a lot higher than that.

 

[pattycakes77]

Paint might be nice and hold up just fine in nicer climates but when your vehicle is subjected to salt and snow for half the year powder coat is the way to go IMO. I disassembled my 199mm brakes and had them powder coated black and it held up awesome. Fast forward to last year when I did the 231mm brakes and thought "Ah, that coating they put on from the factory (bought from O'reilly Auto) is good enough". Well, one good snow and some salt on the roads and I now have bright orange rusted calipers! At some point I'll get them powder coated. But yes, definitely disassemble and take the seals out before they bake them or you'll have a mess and non working brakes if you re-install with melted seals.

 

[Mindomission]

Painted my calipers on my '74 F100 with VHT spray paint in '10. They still look brand new.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

I think you should paint them....
Just kidding man. I just installed some powerstop tundra calipers that they powder coated red, and they look pretty sweet!

Sweet do you have any pics? How are they holding up?

powder coating would be nice. But just a heads up, the oven to bake the paint will probably destroy all of the seals in your calipers if you don't completely disassemble them. Our oven stays at a little over 350 but the temps get a lot higher than that.

They need to be rebuilt anyway, so that will not be an issue.

Paint might be nice and hold up just fine in nicer climates but when your vehicle is subjected to salt and snow for half the year powder coat is the way to go IMO. I disassembled my 199mm brakes and had them powder coated black and it held up awesome. Fast forward to last year when I did the 231mm brakes and thought "Ah, that coating they put on from the factory (bought from O'reilly Auto) is good enough". Well, one good snow and some salt on the roads and I now have bright orange rusted calipers! At some point I'll get them powder coated. But yes, definitely disassemble and take the seals out before they bake them or you'll have a mess and non working brakes if you re-install with melted seals.

Yes, exactly! Finally someone who understands. Up here in PA, during the winter months the roads are basically made out of salt and liquid brine. Paint will not hold up like powder can.

 

[KidVermicious]

Definitely black. Leave the red for track cars and ricers.