Brake caliper paint

[Talasas]

I've used VHT engine enamel as well before, with proper prep and application I've never had any problems with it whatsoever and as Orlando mentioned above they clean up like new.

They real key is to clean the hell out of them before you spray, wire wheel or brush and wipe with some good thinners. Of course, you can't beat a proper chemical clean but you'd want to factor that in when you rebuild them.

The main things you're looking for is a paint that cures at a high temperature and is a glossy enamel, these are nice and hardy when they cure. It's important that you do allow them to cure properly and follow the directions on the can, improperly cured the paint will flake off really easy and won't last long at all. Uncured paint won't be solvent resistant.

Apart from that I suppose it's also preferable to get one that's resistant to brake fluid, I'm guessing the engine enamel I used isn't but it's very hardy against solvents.

[Stefan]

If you don't want ricey, you can use satin VHT black. I'd say it was more matt than satin, that may be an application thing (front one that I did first came out textured; I'm usuall;y pretty good with cans).

[Drifty Midship]

ummmm... Your rotors are backwards...

[Jin~Jah]

ummmm... Your rotors are backwards...

I second that motion

[infotechplus]

I second that motion

Looks like left on the right, and right on the left, hay!

Cheers,

Peter

[MR22ZZ]

depends on the manufacturer, some draw air in for cooling and some vent air out for degassing.

[Jin~Jah]

hmmm fair point... although wouldn't that be like having your directional tyres on the wrong sides, and then driving in the rain?

silly gas pockets!

[Stefan]

OK, they are back to front (or at least are in these old photos, may jsut be the test fit). I didn't put them on though.

Everyone notices the rotor slot direction, no-one notices the R32 front AND rear brake upgrade on an xA6x

[MR22ZZ]

I just thought it must have been a Nissan...

[progkamol]

I use Debeer Berobase 500 2k paint with half-half paint and 2k thinner. Painted my calipers and it last almost 2 years now with out flaking or other problem. However the prep is very important.

[HighLife]

I painted my front calipers with VHT stuff, still going strong after a few years, many track days and overheated rotors! My brakes get hot too!

[DRIFTAMK3]

I used manifold paint on mine has worked a treat to no flaking or peeling and it was like 15 bucks 1 can was enough its not a spray gun but did just as good a job...

just give a wipe then a good rub and your away lasted two years and still goin...

[benny c]

Sanblasting is one of the best types of prepwork I have seen on all the calipers I have painted.

In terms of brands, VHT just fails at everything! Their colours are no where near the cap of the can, their paint falls off under its own weight and is just generally shit. Septone is the best of the cheap stuff I have used, hasn't failed me yet. POR-15 is the beez neez of auto paints, be it for calipers, manifolds or the block itself. Its not cheap, and it is labourius applying it by brush, but the resulting finish (once it eventually dries) is impervious to just about anything!

[af300e]

Sanblasting is one of the best types of prepwork I have seen on all the calipers I have painted.

In terms of brands, VHT just fails at everything! Their colours are no where near the cap of the can, their paint falls off under its own weight and is just generally shit. Septone is the best of the cheap stuff I have used, hasn't failed me yet. POR-15 is the beez neez of auto paints, be it for calipers, manifolds or the block itself. Its not cheap, and it is labourius applying it by brush, but the resulting finish (once it eventually dries) is impervious to just about anything!

And yet this thread is full of people who have had excellent results with VHT paints.......

[benny c]

Well there may be some people that have had good experiences with it, I have not. Albeit I did not try their products until after the American factory burnt down and they outsourced their work, perhaps that has somehitng to do with it?