Black? Caliper paint? - MINI Cooper Forum

tom2005 · #1 (**permalink**) Jul 4th, 2006, 07:17 PM

I have been searching for quite a while now, but have not been able to find what I am after.

Has anyone painted there brake calipers black?

If so I would really appriciate any photos please

Thanks
Tom

tom2005 · #2 (**permalink**) Jul 4th, 2006, 07:19 PM

Also any weblinks to the best paint to use. I understand from other threads Hammerite is a good make to go for. If not folia tec or E-Tech?

wils · #3 (**permalink**) Jul 5th, 2006, 01:10 AM

i was thinking of painting my calipers black too
but no i dun have any pics sorry

DJASHMIX · #4 (**permalink**) Jul 5th, 2006, 04:17 AM

OK..I wil post some pics for you soon. I'm will be painting my calipers Red like the JCW. I have a friend that does this kind of work athis shop. His advice is the following if you plan to do it your self.

1. Clean all the are with break cleaner, make sure all is clean from grease. if so you may use some strong degreaser or water and dawn. dry clean.

2. With some sandpaper, find the fines wet sandpaper, this will remove the shinny on the calipers, also it will leave them dull and smooth.

3. Once that is complete, Select your paint, recomendation. At least 500' degree paint (Engine Enemal Paint), remember your calipers will get very hot, and the paint needs to with hold the temparature.

4. If you plan to paint them a certain color (like you car), then you can use car or quality paint, but on both occasions you must apply 1 or 2 clear coats to complete the job.

I will be painting mines Chilie Red, with 2 coats of clear. Step 1 and 2 are a must to get a nice result.

Will post them soon.

Enjoy....!!!!!!!

tom2005 · #5 (**permalink**) Jul 5th, 2006, 07:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DJASHMIX

OK..I wil post some pics for you soon. I'm will be painting my calipers Red like the JCW. I have a friend that does this kind of work athis shop. His advice is the following if you plan to do it your self.

1. Clean all the are with break cleaner, make sure all is clean from grease. if so you may use some strong degreaser or water and dawn. dry clean.

2. With some sandpaper, find the fines wet sandpaper, this will remove the shinny on the calipers, also it will leave them dull and smooth.

3. Once that is complete, Select your paint, recomendation. At least 500' degree paint (Engine Enemal Paint), remember your calipers will get very hot, and the paint needs to with hold the temparature.

4. If you plan to paint them a certain color (like you car), then you can use car or quality paint, but on both occasions you must apply 1 or 2 clear coats to complete the job.

I will be painting mines Chilie Red, with 2 coats of clear. Step 1 and 2 are a must to get a nice result.

Will post them soon.

Enjoy....!!!!!!!

Thanks for that info ash. Yeah if you could put some photos up that would be cool

DJASHMIX · #6 (**permalink**) Jul 23rd, 2006, 12:36 AM

OK TOM

Here is the before and after PICS... This is a Kit from Myminiparts.com ask for Peter. You can order it online in different colors. I did mines Red. This is $35 bucks for real quality paint.

The Kit comes with Instructions and Break Cleaner, Brush, and Paint Hardner. Great Quality and you don't even have to tape somethings if you have a steady hand.

Hope this Helps...Enjoy...!!!!

See Pics Below

Crouchy · #7 (**permalink**) Jul 23rd, 2006, 10:51 AM

Have you painted the pads?

Im sure that is not a good idea as it will make the pads difficult to remove or will probably rip the paint from the caliper when the pads are removed.

Prowse · #8 (**permalink**) Jul 23rd, 2006, 11:58 AM

Can't be a good idea painting the spring-clips either.

I presume people want to paint the calipers black so they don't show the brake dust!

Baker · #9 (**permalink**) Jul 23rd, 2006, 01:52 PM

Spotted that.. painting the pads is not the best of ideas.

Still got to do mine sometime soon, have been way too busy at the min. Doing mine red.

Do you believe that in Australia, you can only buy high temperature brake caliper paint in a spray pack, and not a tin!?

Crouchy · #10 (**permalink**) Jul 23rd, 2006, 09:46 PM

I did mine red with the foliatec stuff.

Sorry for the poor quality pics, taken on the phone im afraid

SiBradbury · #11 (**permalink**) Jul 23rd, 2006, 09:58 PM

I did mine with good old Hammerite Smooth Finish.
I gave the spring clips a quick dusting over with gloss black too.
The calipers look a bit more orangey in the pics than they actually are.

I've always wondered what black ones would look like so i'm dying to see!

Pamlico · #12 (**permalink**) Jul 24th, 2006, 12:28 AM

I've painted the calipers black and they look pretty good - very understated. I'm away for a week or so, but if no one has posted any pics by the time I've returned I'll be happy to do so.

wils · #13 (**permalink**) Jul 24th, 2006, 05:14 AM

i'd like to see black ones too....been thinking abt doing that for a while as red ones talk pretty loud

so naturally i'm thinking of red as well....

Mini Princess · #14 (**permalink**) Jul 27th, 2006, 08:57 PM

Can it potentially damage anything by painting them? Thinking of doing mine this weekend but don't want grief from BMW when IK take it for servicing.

SiBradbury · #15 (**permalink**) Jul 27th, 2006, 10:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini Princess

Can it potentially damage anything by painting them? Thinking of doing mine this weekend but don't want grief from BMW when IK take it for servicing.

Don't worry, as long as you're only painting the surfaces and not the pads or discs it's fine!!

Don't forget, the JCW ones come painted red.....