The modern car owner wants to stand out from the crowd of cars. Painting calipers is one of the best options for transforming the appearance of a car. Modernization will not only change the image, but will also protect the surface from negative influences. The coloring procedure is not too difficult; even a beginner can handle it. Just read the instructions and choose a paint.
Why paint calipers?
Painting of brake elements is necessary for every vehicle. Main reasons:
- Protection. The paintwork creates a barrier. It protects the base from the following factors:
- road dust, dirt, mechanical damage when colliding with stones;
exposure to moisture, water, metal corrosion.
- Beautiful view. Under the alloy wheels, the elements of the braking system are visible to others. From an aesthetic point of view, you need to maintain the decorative view in order. This is also a good way to emphasize the overall image of the car and its owner. The fashion for painting brake system elements came from sports models. Therefore, bright shades are popular among car enthusiasts. A simple paint job can bring you closer to the attractive world of racing cars and update the appearance of a simple car.
An important advantage of painting is that the body of unpainted elements has a finely porous base. As a result, dust and dirt stick to the unprotected area, which forms a crust. The impermeable layer reduces thermal conductivity and the brake parts heat up. Don't ignore the coloring process.
Rust is one of the reasons for painting calipers.
About paint and colors
We work with high-quality acrylic-based materials, and not powder paints and especially household spray paints. With us you can choose standard painting with acrylic or such an unusual material as candy paints, which create a translucent, loose layer. Our craftsmen are ready to realize any of your design wishes:
- Our team has its own colorist and color technologist on staff, so you can choose any shade for painting, from popular acid and metallic colors to matching the shade exactly to the body color;
- An individual approach and custom color are possible, for example, in the color of other tuning parts or with the application of logos;
- Painting the caliper in camouflage colors is also popular;
- Another popular service is painting with logos and inscriptions at the customer’s request, for example, for corporate vehicles.
To get an idea of the variety of designs, you can check out examples of our work in our portfolio.
Choice of paint for the caliper
Considering the nature of the surface to be painted, a heat-resistant composition will be required for painting work. You can use compounds for treating oven devices, or specialized heat-resistant enamel.
Types of paints for calipers using the example of popular brands:
- Foliatec is a German brand, premium class composition, withstands the highest possible temperatures. This product is used by Porsche and Ferrari owners. It differs in: resistance to chemical and mechanical influences, durability, wear resistance, and a variety of colors. In addition to a large selection of shades of specialized paint, the buyer can choose its type: gloss, metallic, matte finish. Enamel can be purchased:
- in a bank, the cost of Foliatec is from 2000 rubles. It is applied only to the workpiece and does not require preliminary dismantling. Disadvantage: it takes a lot of time to complete the work;
aerosol cans, average price Foliatec 2100. Pros: convenient and simple application method, work is done quickly.
Minuses:
- you need to protect other areas of the car to prevent the entry of fine vapors;
- dyeing kit. Consists of materials, available tools.
Consumers also note the following enamels: Celsite, Bosny, Kudo, Vixen. Some car enthusiasts use powder paints. However, for high-quality coating you will need a polymerization chamber with a temperature of about 160°C. Otherwise, it is not possible to achieve a good result.
Foliatec paint
Motip paint
How to choose heat-resistant paint
Heat resistance is the main requirement for brake paint. The energy released when decelerating from high speed is so great and the braking time is short that the brake power, defined as the ratio of energy to time, is many times greater than the engine power. In this case, all the kinetic energy of a heavy machine goes exclusively into heat.
This is interesting: How to find out how much it will cost to paint a car, price calculation
During fast driving and frequent braking, the discs and surface of the pads can heat up to a thousand degrees; this is clearly visible by their glow in the dark. Due to heat dissipation, the temperature of the calipers is much lower, but several hundred degrees can be expected here too.
Ordinary paint will instantly burn, so you can only cover the calipers with heat-resistant paint, and since it is difficult to think of any other use for it in a car, the labels of such products directly indicate its intended use for brakes. When applied correctly, it does not burn, does not fade, and retains its decorative properties for a long time.
There are many manufacturers of such paint; it is made by almost all chemical concerns that produce repair materials for car bodies. And not only paint, but the entire range of consumables needed using proprietary technology.
Which color to choose
There is a wide range of shades on the paint and varnish market. The owner of the car independently determines what color to paint the calipers. However, you need to take into account the main criteria: the main color of the car, its wheels, as well as other attached elements. If you choose a shade taking into account all the subtleties of color, you can highlight the individuality of the car and the impeccable taste of the owner from the total mass. Expert advice:
- Yellow. It is considered universal as it goes well with other tones.
- White, red, blue are a piquant offer for black models.
- The blue aspects are elegant on the white and noticeable on the red body.
- Brown-yellow shades on dark blue cars are impeccable.
- The orange tone goes well with the emerald body.
The design highlights interesting acidic shades (purple, pink). Bright accents create a unique, individual ultra look.
Wide choice of colors
Features of using a spray gun and spray can
Nowadays it would hardly occur to anyone to spray paint body parts; it would not provide the necessary decorative effect, and good body paint is not supplied in cans. Calipers are another matter. Here, a high surface class is not needed, the casting relief will still not go anywhere, and there is no need to putty the cast iron body.
The can will give quite acceptable quality. But first you still need to practice on a trial subject. This way you can estimate the distance to the part and the speed of movement of the torch, avoiding smudges and imperfections. You need to apply the paint in two layers, without trying to fill it all at once to an even shade.
Spray guns are usually used by professionals or very experienced amateurs. Here you need to take into account everything, compressor pressure, air flow, shape and size of the torch. The pistol has several regulators, the purpose of which few people understand. Preparing both air and paint is also not an easy procedure.
The compressor is equipped with a dryer, and the paint is carefully filtered and brought to the desired consistency with a solvent. A set of equipment is expensive and is rarely used, so it is better to use spray cans, where everything is much simpler and therefore cheaper.
Preparatory stage
Painting calipers with your own hands requires careful preparation of materials, as well as preliminary manipulations. Only following all stages one by one will give a good result. First of all, you need to prepare:
- protective material (newspaper, paper, tape, etc.);
- dismantling tools (jack, wrench);
- surface cleaning products (sandpaper, wire brush, electric drill);
- degreaser, primer, enamel;
- mask, gloves, overalls.
Preparatory activities:
- We provide access to the surface of the calipers. We remove the wheels. To do this, we use a jack, a wrench, and a special car holder. Professionals advise first dismantling the front wheels, then the rear wheels. To work with the outside, just remove the wheel rims.
- We clean the coating from dust, dirt, corrosive plaques, and chemical residues. Using appropriate tools.
- We protect non-paintable areas. Using film or paper, we cover the places where the elements of the coloring matter should not get into. It is strictly forbidden to touch brake pads, hoses, or rotor parts.
- Degrease the area prepared for painting. Apply a layer of primer to the part and let it dry.
As a result of following the preliminary manipulation technique, following the advice of professionals, we prepare the coating for applying the paint and varnish substance. The quality of work is embedded in primary activities.
First you need to remove the wheel
Cleaning the caliper
How to paint calipers: operating technology
1. In order to paint the calipers as accurately as possible, you need to open access to them by removing the wheels. It will be convenient to first remove two wheels on one side of the car, and then carry out the work on the other. Use a wrench and a jack, as well as special stands, to securely support the car. After removing the wheels, access to the calipers is open and you can begin processing them.
2. First of all, the caliper must be thoroughly cleaned of a layer of dirt and chemical reagents, as well as traces of corrosion, using a wire brush. You can use a drill with special attachments. Then clean the surface with sandpaper. Special attention should be paid to hard-to-reach places. After all, high-quality cleaning is crucial in how to paint calipers and preserve the result for a long time.
3. Now you need to cover the area around the calipers, which should not get paint. To do this, we use masking paper or regular film, and fasten everything with masking tape. We especially protect the surface of the rotor and brake pads - they are prohibited from being painted!
4. Then the surface of the caliper must be degreased. Remember: all stages of cleaning from dirt and grease must be carried out as thoroughly as possible. After all, the quality and durability of the painting will depend on this.
5. Now we’ll find out how to paint the calipers. To do this, take a bottle of Motip Caliper Enamel and shake it thoroughly. We begin to apply layers of paint, drying each of them a little for a few minutes. In total, you need to apply 4 layers, making the first two light, and the third and fourth thick. Try not to overdo it, otherwise smudges will appear. The paint dries quickly - already 20 minutes after applying all the layers, you can remove the protective paper and put on the wheel.
6. We process the remaining calipers in the same way and admire the result!
Motip caliper enamel will make the surface of the parts resistant to aggressive substances and minor damage. In addition, the paint is heat resistant up to 120°C and will last on the calipers for a long time. By the way, no preliminary priming is required before applying Motip paint!
Painting procedure
Before starting the main work, we check the room for dust, thoroughly wash the garage, and remove unnecessary items. In order for the enamel to dry quickly, it is recommended to maintain an air temperature above +20 degrees. Methods of applying paint and varnish to the surface of a car: brush, foam swab, spray gun, aerosol can. The fastest and easiest way is to spray paint with a can. There are a number of rules that should be followed. Spray painting brake calipers: step 1. Before applying the first layer to the surface, shake the can. Step 2. Spray the contents at a distance of 25-30 centimeters. Step 3. Let dry for 20-30 minutes. Step 4 Spray the second layer perpendicular to the previous application. Step 5 Application of 2-3 layers is recommended. During the process, we avoid the formation of smudges by controlling the amount of paint. Step 6 Complete drying takes 24 hours. We carefully use the painted elements for several days. How to paint a caliper with a can of paint:
- mix all the components: add hardener to the paint, mix everything with a wooden stick, leave for 15-20 minutes.
- Using a brush (tampon), apply 2-3 layers, taking breaks to dry for 20 minutes.
Apply the decorative protective layer carefully, avoiding excess amounts. You should not paint brake parts with powder paint, as the coating will not withstand hot summers or strong heating of the parts. If we manage to find a heat-resistant composition, then we apply it in 4 layers: the first two are developing, the subsequent ones are dense.
Painted caliper
Company advantages
The range of painting services includes a complete turnkey process: from the removal of elements and their preliminary preparation, selection of materials and the painting work itself and drying, to reinstallation, including bleeding the brake system!
All types of painting come with a 1-year warranty; thanks to high-quality preparation and the use of professional materials, we can guarantee a long service life. Our team consists of experienced craftsmen who can implement any design, a qualified colorist, and also has its own department of spare parts and materials for tuning.
If you want to order painting of calipers in Moscow , get advice from our craftsmen or find out the estimated cost of the work, you can contact us in any WhatsApp or Telegram messenger. To get a consultation, write to us on Whatsapp and Telegram +7 , send a photo of the desired result and the current condition of the car.
Take it off or leave it on the car?
As with any other painting, it is best to remove the part to be painted. Dismantled calipers are easier to clean and paint from different angles. With complete dismantling, it becomes necessary to disconnect the brake hoses, which will entail the entry of air into the system and the further need to bleed the brake system. Therefore, for most car enthusiasts, painting the calipers without removing them is more suitable. It is necessary to cover adjacent parts that are not to be painted. Another option would be to remove them, but without disconnecting them from the hoses. They need to be placed on some kind of stand so that they do not hang on the hoses.
Required:
- A jack with supports to lift and support the body;
- High temperature paint;
- Black paint for the hubs (not necessary, but the result will be more impressive);
- Heat-resistant varnish (some paints do not require varnishing);
- Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning and degreasing, as well as lint-free rags;
- Wire attachment with drill;
- Respirator (to protect against dust when cleaning a metal surface);
- Protective glasses;
- Newspaper or other covering material to cover unpainted areas;
- Masking tape.
Do-it-yourself editing of alloy wheels
On a note. Significant deformations and geometry violations can only be eliminated in a car repair shop using special equipment.
Minor damage can be repaired yourself. You can remove:
- chips;
- scratches;
- minor integrity violations;
After removing the rubber, the disk should be thoroughly washed and dried.
Then a thorough inspection is carried out. If cracks are found on the surface, it will have to be boiled. To do this, you will need to take it to a car repair shop or process it yourself if you have argon-arc welding. But a welding machine is not the only thing you need; you will also need the ability to work with it and an understanding of the entire process of welding a disk. Otherwise, you should not do it yourself.
If there are no cracks, then restoration can continue. Using sandpaper, you need to level the surface and remove all resulting dust from it. Then you will need to apply a two-component epoxy paste. After it has dried, you need to sand the surface again with fine-grain sandpaper. Next, the car disc should be coated with a primer in several layers, each drying for about 20 minutes. Professionals recommend letting the primer dry for at least 24 hours. This way it will dry completely and the disc will be ready for further restoration. And the next stage is painting it and opening it with varnish.
Restoring the rim yourself Please note! It is better to take varnish and paint from the same manufacturer. This will contribute to good adhesion of all materials to each other. . The most economical is spray paint; it is easy to apply.
It is enough to spray it at a distance of 25 cm from the surface and let it dry. You will need to paint in several layers, since one will not cover the primer. Each layer should dry for about half an hour. After the latter has dried, varnish is applied to the surface. The discs should remain at rest for 5-6 days. If they are not dried well, you can scratch the paint when installing the rubber.
The most economical is spray paint; it is easy to apply. It is enough to spray it at a distance of 25 cm from the surface and let it dry. You will need to paint in several layers, since one will not cover the primer. Each layer should dry for about half an hour. After the latter has dried, varnish is applied to the surface. The discs should remain at rest for 5-6 days. If they are not dried well, you can scratch the paint when installing the rubber.
This coating will last for several years and the rim will not fade. All materials are cheap, so disk restoration will not cost much. But if you take it to a car dealership, then editing along with painting can be a big hit on your pocket. But high-quality processing is carried out there and expensive materials are used.
Powder paint, which is often used by professionals, is not only the most durable, but also resistant to chemical and mechanical damage to the disc. But everyone chooses the method that suits them.
Wheels should be straightened only for minor damage and deformation. It’s not for nothing that manufacturers do not recommend repairing alloy wheels. First of all, you need to think about your own safety, and not about saving.
How painting is done
You can choose the future color of this part yourself - in our catalog there are more than 200 primary colors according to the RAL catalog, and several thousand designer ones.
Thanksgiving letters
Thank you letter Gypsum metal
Dear Alexey Albertovich! PZSPP LLC, represented by its manager Dmitry Aleksandrovich Maksimov, expresses sincere gratitude to the entire team of Diline Color LLC for the fruitful cooperation in the provision of services for painting products with powder paints. Diline Color LLC has been our partner for many years, and during our joint cooperation, it has proven itself to be a true professional in its field and demonstrated its ability to meet the highest requirements set by our company. We are pleased with the work of Diline Color LLC and are ready to recommend this company as a responsible and reliable partner.
Entek thank you letter
Dear Alexey Albertovich,
Entek LLC thanks you and your team for the fruitful cooperation. We wish you further prosperity, effective work, inexhaustible energy in achieving your goals and creative inspiration in solving global problems, as well as healthy competition and excellent health to maintain your working tone! Let us be slaves to the development of our cooperation and mutual understanding.
Applying paint and varnish materials to caliper parts
If you chose to powder coat the calipers, you will have to sandblast them. This way you will get rid of corrosion and will be able to completely protect the part from all potential problems. But with the help of powder painting it is impossible to achieve the desired shine and the necessary visual parameters. The powder has a matte tint; the polymers smear very quickly during equipment operation. Conventional paints can be applied as follows:
- you should choose a place where you can safely spray paint and not be afraid to spray it on something else;
- you can paint it using a spray can, but it will be better if painting is done with a compressor and a spray gun;
- It is better to leave the already painted caliper completely alone for a period of about one hour to dry;
- then you can move the parts to a place convenient for drying and do not touch them for another 8-10 hours;
- After this, you can carry out the assembly, performing all the steps quite carefully and slowly.
You can do this kind of car tuning with your own hands if you have all the tools and materials at hand. If you don't have anything in stock, you shouldn't buy everything you need for it. It is better to turn to specialists if you have no experience doing this work at all. The painting may not be professional; imperfections are not so noticeable on these parts. But it is better to choose the most worthy materials. Low prices do not do paint and varnish products any credit.
Additional recommendations
When painting, do not allow paint to come into contact with the surface of the brake pads and disc . Their working surface must be clean and dry for normal operation. It is also important to use gloves and a face mask, as brake parts may contain asbestos.
How to paint brake calipers correctly
There are no restrictions when choosing paint colors for the calipers. But if we consider the most popular colors, then these are yellow, red, blue or black. Here everything depends on the motorist’s imagination.
Preparation
Take your time and allow plenty of time to prepare and paint the calipers. It will take at least one day to do everything thoroughly.
Start by removing the wheels for easy access to the brake parts. Start by jacking up and removing both wheels. That is, it is advisable to prepare both calipers at once. This will take less time.
The importance of surface preparation cannot be overstated. Cleaning is a necessary step in painting. This determines how securely the paint coating will adhere. They contain various contaminants, including dust from pads and oil. Poorly washed dirt will lead to peeling of the paintwork a couple of months after painting, and sometimes earlier. It is necessary to achieve an immaculately clean surface. It would be better to sandblast the calipers before painting, which is not always available.
Hardened dirt is not easy to remove. First clean the calipers with a wire brush. Take the wire bit on your drill and clean the outside. Be careful not to damage the rubber boot.
If you notice any stubborn stains, use sandpaper or Scotch Brite wrapped around your finger. The wire nozzle should not be used immediately after using flammable cleaning agents as it may cause sparks. Additionally, use an engraver for more thorough cleaning.
Next, you need to treat the calipers with a special cleaner. It is also advisable to pre-close adjacent parts. The cleaner can ricochet when sprayed and land on rubber boots and hoses, having a destructive effect on them.
After drying, you need to sand them with P240 sandpaper, then P600. Next, you need to apply the cleaner to the caliper again. Finally, you need to wipe it with isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol will remove any remaining dirt and degrease.
Next, cover the areas not to be painted using newspaper and masking tape.
Sanding with coarse abrasive to obtain a smooth surface
If you want to get a smooth surface, you will need to sand them with P60/P120 abrasives. To grind hard-to-reach places, you need to use a grinder with an abrasive attachment.
Let's sum it up
In order for the painting of calipers to be successful, you need to remember the need for high-quality preparatory work. If these tasks are not performed properly, you will not be able to ensure the longevity and attractiveness of the equipment. Painting work can be carried out using an aerosol can, powder spraying, compressor classic painting, or using a brush. It is better to give preference to professional methods. They guarantee durability and high quality.
Preparatory processes depend on the method chosen, but often when preparing the device you will need to remove it from the machine. This way you will be able to remove all rust and dirt. Painting work will be completed efficiently only if the surface is properly prepared. Visual results also depend entirely on the paint options chosen. The more expensive the technology, the greater the durability and higher quality of the coating. If you don’t have experience working with your car’s paintwork yourself, it’s better to entrust the services to professionals and get the maximum benefits.
Design ideas
There are creative car owners who prefer to paint the calipers in several colors for an original color look when moving, and some car enthusiasts do not stop at tuning the calipers and order the brake drums to be painted. The same painting methods are used to paint drums To do this, quite bright color combinations are chosen that will not leave the car unnoticed on the track. Of course, the price of painting calipers sometimes reaches several thousand, but the feeling of uniqueness is still priceless.
