Painting Brake Calipers--Cheesy or Hella Sweet?

JonT · 10-07-2002, 07:59 AM

I'm down to doing cheap-n-ez projects for now. I've searched the archives and this seems like an easy project. Any pics out there to show off your calipers? Any tips and things to avoid instructions? Thanks

911nut · 911nut's Garage

If you have Fuchs it's not easy to see your calipers but painting them is still worth the effort.

Our host sells caliper paint but it's a little pricey.

I cleaned my calipers with brake cleaner and painted them with high-temperature engine block paint. They still looks good a year later. There was no corrosion on them, though.

"Your results may vary".
PB

Chuck Moreland · 08:50 AM

One man's cheese is another's tasty snack.

I think it cleans up the look nicely. If you want less cheese, choose a more subtle color - Aluminum, or "Jet Fokkin Black".

Tips -

- Clean them really well
- Engine paint works well, bake it on to cure
- Or get the purpose made caliper paint

thabaer · thabaer's Garage

Like Chuck says, personal preference. I'm bummed I didn't take time to paint mine "jet fokkin black"

I've also seen cars where blazing red is the only way to go. Take a long look at your car and think about the color you have in mind and other colors, you might find some pics of other cars that make you change your mind.

Take a good look at your struts and the surrounding area while you're at it, nothing like a chiny caliper accompanied by a ratted out wheel well after you get it all put back together.

Then go for it!

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

When ever I R&R a part, it get painted. Its just my way to keep the car looking fresh. Whether it looks cheesie depends on the color your chose. I did mine in red and think they look hellla sweet.

I have done mine two ways, one with high temp paint and the calipers on the car, and the second with high temp paint and the calpers off the car durign a rebuild so the paint can be baked on in the oven. IMHO, the latter is the only worth while way to do the job.

Jdub · 10-07-2002, 08:53 AM

I used high temp. dull silver. I mask the bolts so it looks like it came that way from the factory. These are standard SC brakes so no need to advertise.

Subtle, dirt-resistant, and clean. That's all it needs to be.

John

dtw · 10-07-2002, 09:01 AM

I did a basic silver on mine, mostly just to clean them up and prevent surface rust which is harmless but unsightly. Don't think they really look "hella sweet"; they are more of a "cibie sweet".

-d

http://www.pelicanparts.com/MotorCity/WintersRS/garage/Photos/DSC00080.jpg

island911 · 10-07-2002, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jdub
. ..
Subtle, dirt-resistant, and clean. That's all it needs to be.
. . .

My thoughts, exactly.

Jim T · 10-07-2002, 09:58 AM

Black or some low key aluminum looking paint maybe.

But painting the stock, tiny, single piston, ugly rough cast brake calipers that come on most cars (SC, etc included) bright screaming red or yellow is rice in my book. If it ever was cool, its become hijacked and so ubiquitous on Ricers now that it no longer is cool. It is Chapter 1 in the Ricer's Handbook.

Although Ricers do it the best: Tiny front brake caliper painted bright red or yellow, REAR DRUM painted the same, all highlighted by a looking lost in a huge, open spoke 18 inch wheel. Yeah baby!

Early_S_Man · 10-07-2002, 10:29 AM

No 911 EVER came with 'single piston calipers!'

Jgordon · 10-07-2002, 11:34 AM

Personally, a good cleaning and a coat of high-temp clear gloss looks pretty good to me, unless you have GT2 or Turbo brakes.

If you're gonna paint though, I'd go subtle. Jet fockin' black always looks good, and you get to say 'jet fockin' black.'

David, it's bad luck to look in the bowl.

Jared

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Of course if they're Jet Fokkin Black, you also have to Armor-All them...

Quote:

Originally posted by Jgordon
Personally, a good cleaning and a coat of high-temp clear gloss looks pretty good to me, unless you have GT2 or Turbo brakes.

If you're gonna paint though, I'd go subtle. Jet fockin' black always looks good, and you get to say 'jet fockin' black.'

David, it's bad luck to look in the bowl.

Jared

Jay Auskin · 10-07-2002, 12:22 PM

I think painting the brake calipers in a not too obnoxious color would be a nice winter project. It's one more detail that an overly obsessive Porsche fanatic can get satisfaction from.

...not to mention, it adds some serious "bling, bling"...

Jeff · 10-07-2002, 12:23 PM

I say paint em, but use a subtle color like J.F. Black or grey. Don't paint them the same color as your car unless you have an exact match. You may also want to paint the hats on the rotors the same color if they show thru your wheels. Nothing like having nice calipers and rusty discs.

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

I agree with CUL8TR,, If your going through the trouble of painting your calipers.. you should follow it up with painting the rotor hats..
When I rebuilt my calipers I painted them.. and have received a ton of complements on how well they look along with the Wurth silver rotor hats. all in all I think it's just personal preference again.

Jorger (Targa Dude)

CamB · CamB's Garage

While we are arguing about whether calipers look better jet fokkin black or hella sweet red, it got me thinking about my BMW's brakes.

I noticed that:

a) The front pads are bigger than on my 911
b) They have 4 pistons
c) Now the disc is vented (upgraded to e21 - early 3 series)
d) The rear drums are freakin' huge compared to a Honda (and I just upgraded them too to e21 size). By the way I elected to paint the drums jet fokkin black and it looks hella sweet

Only negative is the disc is still sized to fit inside a 13" wheel, so it could be bigger yet...

But my point it that while 911s are renowned for their brakes, that little BMW brakes a lot better than my 911

(must be the R-compound tyres).

Leland Pate · 10-07-2002, 12:55 PM

Well for me it was simply a matter of not liking the look of rusted calipers... I wasn't going for flashy or anything, but it does make it look neater.

To each his own.

Superman · 10-07-2002, 01:41 PM

The diameter of my rotors is more than 11", which is not jaw-dropping, but it sure is bigger than most. Yes, my humble factory calipers have only two pistons each, but if I ask them to, they'll stop the car VIOLENTLY. Braking demonstration is the last step in the 911 performance exhibition I perform when I have a passenger who can appreciate these characteristics. Acceleration and cornering are included, but I end with the braking thing. I warn the passenger first, and I also warm up the pads just a little (I have ferodo pads that perform best when at least a little warm).

The point I am making is that, regardless of whether you are proud of the size of your calipers, you probably should hold your head high when it comes to caliper performance.

CamB · CamB's Garage

Actually I am pretty sure the difference in my case is one part mechanical and one part psychological.

The BMW has no interior and probably weights 100kg+ less than the 911. It also has R-compound tyres. This is a big mechanical advantage.

The 911 has too much power and gets me in trouble much quicker. Therefore I feel like it is braking much worse. It is really perception - if the BMW could go that fast I'm sure it would feel like it braked less well too!!!

Bill Douglas · 10-07-2002, 02:13 PM

I guess painting calipers isn't a bad idea.

It's one of the few jobs on a 911 that it is almost impossible to fail at.