Topic: Painting the Calipers on the Solstice - A How to Guide

[BANDITCAR]

So I finally had a whole day free to get to the final project on cleaning up the appearance of the wheel area.  Since I finished the rotors in Silver(see here: http://kappaperformance.com/forum/index.php?topic=2643.msg31353#msg31353) I figured I would have to do a complementing color for the calipers.  There were only three choices to go with my "Pontiac Arrowhead" theme and those are Red, Silver and Black. Thought about Red for awhile, but decided against it since my Solstice is in Aggressive and figured it might be too much Red.  Really didn't want to do Silver cause they wouldn't contrast with the rotors enough, so the only choice was Black and I'm glad I went with that decision. Keeps it clean looking, doesn't draw the eye and looks like it might come from factory.

Here is what you will need for the project.

-Brush on Caliper Paint kit from Dupli-Color (avail. in Red, Black, Silver, Blue, Yellow)
-Set of brushes for detail and coverage.
-old toothbrush
-old cleaning cloth
-2 small cups
-paint thinner




Here is what you will start off with. A stock caliper bare metal finish.


First thing you have to do is jack the car up and remove the wheels. I jacked the whole side of the car up to remove both wheels at once as it saves some time. Once the wheel is off you have easy access to the Caliper.


Follow the directions with the Caliper kit.  Start with using the Caliper cleaner in the aerosol can.  Spray liberally on the caliper and agitate immediately with the toothbrush.  After using the toothbrush to loosen any grime, wipe that away with the cloth.  Be sure to get into the nooks and crannies real well.


Once the caliper is clean you are ready to paint. I didn't bother using the masking tape included with the kit since I got two brushes that would help me with the detail work.  One brush for the fine detail work and the other for coverage and building coats.


Prepare the two cups, one with about 2oz of paint thinner and the other with just water.  These will be used for cleaning the brushes between coats as the paint dries quickly and will make the brushes useless if you don't do this between each coat.

Once again, follow the directions to stir the paint and keep that paint stick handy as a you might have to keep stirring the paint so it won't form a skin on the top.
Using the small brush first get a small bit of paint on it and do the edges near the bracket and any areas where the bracket come close to. (thats only if you don't want to paint the bracket as well. I left it stock looking) You also want to use the small brush in the hard to reach areas and the underside areas.  Take your time and be sure to get good straight lines near the brake pad outer areas.  Place the small brush in the cup with paint thinner.
Once you have it outlined you can use the large brush to fill in for a full first coat. Be sure to do light coats of paint, do not glob it on. Place the large brush in the cup of paint thinner.


You will have to wait 20 minutes between coats and this time can be used to go ahead and clean the other caliper on the side of the car you are working on.  Once you finish cleaning then the 1st caliper should be ready for a second coat.   Take the larger brush out of the paint thinner and dip it in the water dabbing it on the bottom of the cup to loosen the paint.  Then wipe the bristles with a disposable towel. Using the larger brush to get good coverage on the whole caliper using little paint on the brush to get a light coat.  While the second coat dries move directly to the other caliper and clean the small brush from the paint thinner/water and use it to do the outline detail work.


Go and finish the final coat  on the 1st caliper using once again light coats to get fine coverage.  You will see the paint starting to build up and get some shine.


Once finished with the first caliper you can concentrate on the second and fill in the detail work you did before.  Clean the large brush from the PT/W and use it to fill in the first coat.


Place your brush in the Paint thinner for cleaning and wait for first coat to dry. While waiting why not clean up the wheel well using just a wet towel to remove dirt and grime and a dry towel to finish it up and decrease water spotting. Filty wheel wells can really ruin the appearance of a clean car.

After 20 minutes go on to the second coat. (notice the clean wheel well area compared to the same area in above pic)


The final coat of paint.


Now, clean your brushes to have them ready for the next side. Put the wheels back on and set the car back down.  Stand back and appreciate the work you just accomplished!





Red Caliper decals are now on from ASAP graphics

[Uranium-238]

Good write up. I just ordered the same paint kit for use on my car. I'm ordering new brake pads on Monday, and planned on cleaning and painting the calipers while I had them off the rotors.

[lil goat]

I am very sorry to say this but Duplicolor caliper paint sucks! I did mine at the very first mod meet along with several others, I don't know of anyone's paint job that lasted more than a year. Smartin used the G2 system they sell at Tire Rack and it still looks good, and so does mine since I redid it with G2, and yes it costs a helluva lot more, but having to do it over sucked!

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/accessoryDetail.jsp?ID=41

[BANDITCAR]

I am very sorry to say this but Duplicolor caliper paint sucks! I did mine at the very first mod meet along with several others, I don't know of anyone's paint job that lasted more than a year. Smartin used the G2 system they sell at Tire Rack and it still looks good, and so does mine since I redid it with G2, and yes it costs a helluva lot more, but having to do it over sucked!

Thanks for the info.  I was looking at the G2 kit but hadn't heard anything about it, so I went with what most people I know had used.  My car is a daily driver so I will definitely be able to see how it holds up.

Exactly what were the complaints about the dupli-color paint?  Chipping, cracking, peeling, fading.  More details would be helpful.

[Uranium-238]

I am very sorry to say this but Duplicolor caliper paint sucks! I did mine at the very first mod meet along with several others, I don't know of anyone's paint job that lasted more than a year. Smartin used the G2 system they sell at Tire Rack and it still looks good, and so does mine since I redid it with G2, and yes it costs a helluva lot more, but having to do it over sucked!
(Image removed from quote.)
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/accessoryDetail.jsp?ID=41

Aha, so those calipers I've seen with paint chips were with done with the duplicolor stuff.

OK, fine, will try the other stuff. "You get what you pay for" and all. Thank God it's so easy to cancel/change orders on Amazon...

And Amazon sells those kits as well.
http://www.amazon.com/Temperature-Leveling-G2-Caliper-System/dp/B000AUMYMM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1250288688&sr=8-3

[lil goat]

Thanks for the info.  I was looking at the G2 kit but hadn't heard anything about it, so I went with what most people I know had used.  My car is a daily driver so I will definitely be able to see how it holds up.

Exactly what were the complaints about the dupli-color paint?  Chipping, cracking, peeling, fading.  More details would be helpful.

That was it, chipping, cracking, peeling, fading, after about 7 months most of the paint had flaked of, I will say I think part of it was my fault for using wheel cleaner, but it has not effected the G2 at all. I guess it was a long time ago we learned this and wrote it up over on the BB. I have sprayed my G2 painted calipers many many times with brake cleaner and then wiped them clean, no issue's tried that on the Duplicolor and the paint wiped off.

[Uranium-238]

My worry is I have some light corrosion on my calipers. Bare aluminum doesn't fare well with salty winter roads. If I don't get all the corrosion off, I know in time it'll cause the paint to fail.

Of course, what I think is corrosion could simply be crud. We'll see what the caliper cleaner does.

[BANDITCAR]

hah, well I guess I have another Sunday project to do in about a year or so. 

I don't mind having to repaint and such.  I enjoy any time that I spend with my cars.

[PubliusE]

I am very sorry to say this but Duplicolor caliper paint sucks! I did mine at the very first mod meet along with several others, I don't know of anyone's paint job that lasted more than a year. Smartin used the G2 system they sell at Tire Rack and it still looks good, and so does mine since I redid it with G2, and yes it costs a helluva lot more, but having to do it over sucked!
(Image removed from quote.)
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/accessoryDetail.jsp?ID=41

I've used the G2 paint on to sets of Calipers with excellent results.  It is a very durable 2 part paint that has a high gloss.  It is much better than the Duplicolor.  I also removed my calipers from the wheel and the pads from the calipers so I get the paint where I want it and not where I don’t.  It is not necessary but I think it makes for a better job. 

[Treeman]

I'm ordering new brake pads on Monday, and planned on cleaning and painting the calipers while I had them off the rotors.

What pads did you decide on?

[Uranium-238]

I'm going with the EBC's. Discount tire now sells them, so I'll be buying the pads from them.

[timlange3]

Hi, to those of you that painted your calipers while on the car, what all did you remove?  Did you remove the spring/wire I see above in the photos on the rear calipers?
Thanks,
Tim.

[ChopTop]

Good write up.  I see Eastwood also sells caliper paint (price wise it looks comparable to G2).  http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-urethane-caliper-paints.html

Their product advertisements says; urethane caliper paints are the only caliper coatings on the market to use nano-ceramic technology. These durable paints resist heat and road grime and brake dust wipe off easily.

Eastwoods been around forever, but their main focus is restoration products & supplies.

[tallcraig]

I painted my calipers with G2 this past winter. Removed calipers but not the lines, took pads out and hung the calipers up with coat hangers. De greaser with hot water, rinse and dry, brake caliper cleaner, dry, two coats of paint... a lot of work and still not happy with the look or quality of the paint. I should have had them powder coated for the time and trouble I took. I was penny wise but pound foolish. Just my experience ... Good luck with your project.

[TomatoSoup]

I painted my calipers with G2 this past winter. Removed calipers but not the lines, took pads out and hung the calipers up with coat hangers. De greaser with hot water, rinse and dry, brake caliper cleaner, dry, two coats of paint... a lot of work and still not happy with the look or quality of the paint. I should have had them powder coated for the time and trouble I took. I was penny wise but pound foolish. Just my experience ... Good luck with your project.

G2 takes some work for sure, and multiple coats - two is probably not enough!  I've done two cars with it now and the results have been great.  My recommendation is to only mix a 1/4 or a 1/3 of the paint with the same ratio amount of hardener at a time.  Do two coats all round (rotating 'round the whole car) then leave a couple of hours to set-up.  Then another mix of paint and another coat or two as needed to get full coverage.  Stippling it on with the end of the brush get's more paint on there, rather than regular brushing - the stipple marks will flow out.  Buy extra disposable brushes before you start

Here's my Sol's in gold...

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[timlange3]

Okay, so did you guys remove the wire spring on the rears before painting or work around it?

[SolNut]

Remember there are two (2) pieces to each Brake Assembly, Caliper and Mount.  Removing the spring on the rears can help you reassemble. But they are a B__ch to put back together. 

Go slow and take your time, they really look great when your done. 

Steve

[TomatoSoup]

Okay, so did you guys remove the wire spring on the rears before painting or work around it?

I unclipped mine, but as SolNut said - it's, ahh, a little 'difficult' to put back on.  The main issue being not to scratch that nice perfect paint job you just finished!

[JimVonBaden]

I'm about to do mine, but have a question.



Do I need to remove the spring to remove the pads? I am thinking, for the one set, that I will remove the pads and paint the exposed part too.

Jim

[TomatoSoup]

I'm about to do mine, but have a question.

Do I need to remove the spring to remove the pads? I am thinking, for the one set, that I will remove the pads and paint the exposed part too.

Yes, you do.  Just pull one end (where it goes into the hole) toward you out of the hole and then away.  When one end's out the other is easy.

[JimVonBaden]

Yes, you do.  Just pull one end (where it goes into the hole) toward you out of the hole and then away.  When one end's out the other is easy.

Thanks, I'll post up some photos when I am done.

Jim

[smartin]

I need to redo mine after 5-6 years. This time I want to match the color of my car. If anyone knows what I need to buy, besides the exact color paint of my Solstice, please let me know. Thanks.