Caliper Paint

[pilotnick1203]

Hi guys,
It has become time to replace my pads! We bought Zimmermann Pads and I am looking at painting my calipers while we are in there... What are your 2 cents on the best color for titanium silver? Red, black?

[JupiterBMW]

Personally, I prefer the OEM clean look... So I say go gloss black.

12354

[cakM3]

I like this much better myself.....if you're staying with OE calipers then black looks best.

... but if you have BMW Performance BBK then it's best to match the rear calipers to the front :thumbsup

[Avetiso]

Silver.

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[ZHPRegistry.net]

I used POR-15, it isn't really caliper paint but it's holding up fine and dries to a glossy strong finish. POR is specifically designed to be used on slightly rusted surfaces, which was the case with my calipers.

[ELCID86]

Hi guys,
It has become time to replace my pads! We bought Zimmermann Pads and I am looking at painting my calipers while we are in there... What are your 2 cents on the best color for titanium silver? Red, black?

Sorry, what color car?


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[cakM3]

How about G2USA? They seem to have every possible color for caliper paint. The example I have in the link is for Phoenix Yellow, the color of my Performance BBK.

http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html (http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html)

[ELCID86]

I've also read good reviews on Dupli-Color BCP401 Yellow Brake Caliper Kit. Amazon has it and other colors.


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[pilotnick1203]

We are using g2

[pilotnick1203]

Titanium silver

[ELCID86]

I used POR-15, it isn't really caliper paint but it's holding up fine and dries to a glossy strong finish. POR is specifically designed to be used on slightly rusted surfaces, which was the case with my calipers.

Where do you find this paint?


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[pilotnick1203]

I'm definitely going to do silver or black

[HokieZHP]

I used g2 as well on my old car. Looks great! I stripped mine down though with a wire brush to get all the rust off then painted them.

[ZHPRegistry.net]

Where do you find this paint?



ebay.

[tkundhi]

Do these caliper paints result in more heat retention? I've heard that powder coat creates and insulation and therefore more heat is retained in the caliper. Does the same hold true for paint?

t.

[johnrando]

Our standard calipers aren't that asthetically pleasing so I wouldn't go with a color that stood out (unless matching a BBK kit) i.e. I wouldn't go gloss black. I went with a silver/blue-ish color (A non gloss black or silver seem best to me too). BTW, I used ultra high temp engine paint on mine and it worked fine.

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[HokieZHP]

Or go crazy like I did on my old car and do yellow! More of a color for a kid I guess haha. I like it against the black car though

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg.html)

[ELCID86]

Or go crazy like I did on my old car and do yellow! More of a color for a kid I guess haha. I like it against the black car though


+1 I like it. I've seen some guys plastidip them as well. It actually seems to hold up to the heat better than you'd think and can be peeled off if you change your mind. I keep thinking about painting mine yellow, no red, no wait black ... Ugh, just OEM until I can make up my mind.

[JupiterBMW]

Our standard calipers aren't that asthetically pleasing so I wouldn't go with a color that stood out (unless matching a BBK kit) i.e. I wouldn't go gloss black. I went with a silver/blue-ish color (A non gloss black or silver seem best to me too). BTW, I used ultra high temp engine paint on mine and it worked fine.

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Black stands out more than disco ball silver/blue??? :biggrin What're you smoking homie?!?! The gloss actually just provides a smoother finish and makes it harder for brake dust to stick... The black shown in my pic above looked great and very OEM, and it blends well.

[johnrando]

Cracking me up. It's a very subtle silver with a hint of blue that mutes it. (I feel like I describing art). :) I like the thought that the gloss helps prevent brake dust. Personally I'd rock it if our calipers were nicer, but that's just me. I'm not saying it would not look good. Once I get my BBK I'm going yellow anyway. I'll send you my blue silver. :biggrin

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[danewilson77]

Yeah...it's not like it's mirror coated.

[BCS_ZHP]

On the 540 wagon, I painted the carriers silver and the calipers black (pics in the project thread). That was very subtle and clean looking like from the factory. Preston went with yellow like Chris's old ZHP on a mystic blue car, it does stand out. Brett went with ford blue engine paint against a sparkling graphite car! the blue is very close to the blue of the Roundels, I think it looks classy cause you don't see it very often.

[BimmerWill]

On the 540 wagon, I painted the carriers silver and the calipers black (pics in the project thread). That was very subtle and clean looking like from the factory. Preston went with yellow like Chris's old ZHP on a mystic blue car, it does stand out. Brett went with ford blue engine paint against a sparkling graphite car! the blue is very close to the blue of the Roundels, I think it looks classy cause you don't see it very often.

I did the same paint and blue with mine. Was a nice subtle touch that didn't stick out too much with the lighter color car (TiAg). I need to do them again however as the paint has become to chip off in a few places and look more dirty despite my efforts to clean them. I probably should have done more than 2 coats when I did it which may be why I'm seeing problems now. The blue is very similar to roundel blue.

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[yura]

Or go crazy like I did on my old car and do yellow! More of a color for a kid I guess haha. I like it against the black car though


Yellow looks great!

[JupiterBMW]

:rofl

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/attachments/off-topic-forum/57714d1202594140-de-motivatioanl-posters-painted-calipers.jpg

[Avetiso]

:rofl

[gmurphy]

Or go crazy like I did on my old car and do yellow! More of a color for a kid I guess haha. I like it against the black car though

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg.html)

Does look cool!


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[HokieZHP]

Thanks! I liked it. Gave it a little something different and matched the ambers I think pretty well on the black car

[johnrando]

Fig'd I throw out a pic of my "disco blue" calipers. :biggrin

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc481/johnrando/IMG_20130531_100733_702_zps53f9a660.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/johnrando/media/IMG_20130531_100733_702_zps53f9a660.jpg.html)

[ELCID86]

hee hee

12403

[BMWCurves]

I know this is resurrecting an old thread but I think it's probably better to keep it in the same thread than start a new one. Anyways, I'm planning to swap out brake lines, the clutch line, and do a CDV delete soon so I figure while I'm doing all of that I might as well clean off and paint my calipers. The consensus around here seems to be silver or black to keep it understated since our brake calipers aren't particularly large or worth showing off. That said, my car is quite dark with Oriental Blue paint and gloss black grills. Once I swap out the bumper reflectors for color-matched ones and the windows get tinted next week, it will be pretty dark car overall. I'd like to have a bit of color, and the brake calipers seem like a good way to do it but I don't want to make it too gaudy or god forbid ricey. I actually thought Chris' (HokieZHP) black ZHP looked pretty good in yellow (below). I know this topic has been talked to death but I'd be interested in your guys' thoughts.

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg.html)

[mbeckel]

I know this is resurrecting an old thread but I think it's probably better to keep it in the same thread than start a new one. Anyways, I'm planning to swap out brake lines, the clutch line, and do a CDV delete soon so I figure while I'm doing all of that I might as well clean off and paint my calipers. The consensus around here seems to be silver or black to keep it understated since our brake calipers aren't particularly large or worth showing off. That said, my car is quite dark with Oriental Blue paint and gloss black grills. Once I swap out the bumper reflectors for color-matched ones and the windows get tinted next week, it will be pretty dark car overall. I'd like to have a bit of color, and the brake calipers seem like a good way to do it but I don't want to make it too gaudy or god forbid ricey. I actually thought Chris' (HokieZHP) black ZHP looked pretty good in yellow (below). I know this topic has been talked to death but I'd be interested in your guys' thoughts.

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg.html)
The yellow looks really good

Sent from in the bushes

[mbeckel]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/07/1c6100f06dbdd3960cfba0bbcfda4b31.jpg

I'll join in on the fun

Sent from in the bushes

[CarbonZHP]

Im in love with my blue calipers

[BMWCurves]

Im in love with my blue calipers

Pics? My hesitation with blue calipers is my car is already a dark shade of blue.

[CarbonZHP]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/07/958bdcd7768110ee2ee244d51c8f9724.jpg

[FL116]

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/726f887a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg.html)
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg (http://s438.photobucket.com/user/maxx919/media/2003%20ZHP/32bb3ff4.jpg.html)

I like the yellow.

I never got a picture of it, but I saw a black e46 330 with 'lime green' calipers and I thought it looked really good. Sort of like this green. It really pops.
19628

[CarbonZHP]

Isn't good on a non super car. Just looks like you're trying to hard to be a hybrid Porsche

[BMWCurves]

The yellow looks really good

Yeah I thought it looks pretty good. Not too loud or obnoxious IMO. Your red ones look great, how do they look on your car?


Im in love with my blue calipers

Those do look good! I think they probably work best with a lighter color car, but maybe I'm wrong. Any pics of them with the wheels on? I didn't see any that were clear shots of it in your mod thread.


I like the yellow.

I never got a picture of it, but I saw a black e46 330 with 'lime green' calipers and I thought it looked really good. Sort of like this green. It really pops.
19628

I think those actually look good on a GT-R. It's probably not for me and my car, but definitely an aesthetic that has its place.

I did a really quick (see: shitty) mock-up of yellow calipers on my car in Photoshop. Please ignore the filth, I plan to wash it this weekend. I think the yellow calipers compliment the color pretty well. I'm going to fool around with it a bit more with a few other colors:

19629

[mbeckel]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/07/55d5d98c6333f683947ec33f06e6eff2.jpg

Might have to zoom in to see them. Really like how it goes with the car

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[CarbonZHP]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/07/696bb6b3aadda3baafcb75cfc00ce7e7.jpg

[BMWCurves]

Might have to zoom in to see them. Really like how it goes with the car

Sent from in the bushes

Yeah, red on red works well.

@CarbonZHP those look great behind those wheels! Definitely something for me to consider.

These were my attempts at yellow, red, and Estoril Blue calipers, although the latter I definitely didn't capture well. I still think yellow looks the best out of them. Thoughts? Thanks for all the input!

Yellow:
19631

Red:
19633

"Estoril Blue":
19632

[az3579]

Yeah, red on red works well.

@CarbonZHP those look great behind those wheels! Definitely something for me to consider.

These were my attempts at yellow, red, and Estoril Blue calipers, although the latter I definitely didn't capture well. I still think yellow looks the best out of them. Thoughts? Thanks for all the input!

Yellow:
19631

Red:
19633

"Estoril Blue":
19632
Yellow or red.

[san]

I was thinking of going with yellow but wasn't too sure... After seeing some of the pictures here I am definitely going with yellow... What sort of paint to use though??


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[FL116]

Yellow definitely

[UdubBadger]

I did electric blue and liked them a lot I'm sure you can find some pics of my old Zhp somewhere on the site to see.


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[UdubBadger]

This is literally the only photo of it showing the calipers. Color is a bit off via Instagram

19652

It's called safety blue rustoleum high performance enamel.


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[johnrando]

I've got the BMW Perf kit to put on which is that Yellow (is it Phoenix Yellow or the other one)? Anyway, I bought the caliper paint for the rears to match. I currently have a blue-ish silver paint on them. That way, they looked better but they don't stand out, cuz as said, our original calipers are kinda ugly IMHO (and others).

[UdubBadger]

Yeah Phoenix Yellow


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[johnrando]

Thanks Seth.

[BCS_ZHP]

John,
Your caliper paint appears to be either Oldsmobile or Pontiac engine blue. Do thin coats of paint for the calipers and apply 4-6 coats, at least a half hour drying time between coats, it's an all day affair, the result will satisfy you. Check the Brettj2a Project thread to see Ford blue engine paint on calipers, 5 coats.
Bruce

[FL116]

For the Imolarites, what color did you paint your calipers? (Stock calipers). I love yellow, but I don't how it will look with stock calipers. I love Charlie's yellow calipers, but he has BMW Performance calipers so they look really good. I may have to photoshop if no one has any pictures. Thanks

[UdubBadger]

There is no hands down winner color with imola, it sucks.

The complimentary color would be green which doesn't work (for me at least). Blue is too superman-ish. Red on red is too much red for me.

Yellow is really the only tetrad color worth trying or else go with a neutral like black or silver or anything between.


19658
19666
19664
19667
19665

[cakM3]

I like Phoenix Yellow against Imola Seth.... :)

G2 Phoenix Yellow Caliper Paint
http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html (http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html)

[hcbeck2689]

I think color matching the car is always a good direction to go. Seeing as my car is silvergrau I might do that or just gloss black.


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[mbeckel]

I like Phoenix Yellow against Imola Seth.... :)

G2 Phoenix Yellow Caliper Paint
http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html (http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html)
I'm with you Charlie. If I didn't go with red, I would for sure have gone yellow

Sent from in the bushes

[UdubBadger]

I like Phoenix Yellow against Imola Seth.... :)

G2 Phoenix Yellow Caliper Paint
http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html (http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html)

Yeah it's less of a contrast too than some bright school bus yellow which has its benefits for sure.


I'll be Powdercoating mine soon. Still iffy on a color though.


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[ryankokesh]

I went grey with an imola car. Couldn't decide on a color I liked and just wanted to clean it up. Pretty subtle, but better than dirty/rusty. :dunno

[CarbonZHP]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/08/bec01ce55854bdb4d62c2dd74277749f.jpg
How mine were new

[johnrando]

Thanks for the photoshop examples Seth. BTW all, again reconsider having those ugly stock calipers standing out. A lot of what's pictured here are the BBK ones which really look good vs. our stock ones.

[Cadeez]

I painted mine sort of a graphite metallic and I think they turned out great. Subtle, and clearly way better than they looked before!

Before...
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2429_zpsuranpkqb.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2429_zpsuranpkqb.jpg.html)

After!
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2436_zps82lexzgu.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2436_zps82lexzgu.jpg.html)

[UdubBadger]

Cool

Just dropped mine off today actually.

[BMWCurves]

Those look nice and like they're made of metal. A good understated look.

[FL116]

I painted mine sort of a graphite metallic and I think they turned out great. Subtle, and clearly way better than they looked before!

Before...
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2429_zpsuranpkqb.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2429_zpsuranpkqb.jpg.html)

After!
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2436_zps82lexzgu.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2436_zps82lexzgu.jpg.html)

That looks nice and subtle. I will probably end up doing mine like this. What did you use to paint them?

[ELCID86]

The yellow looks really good

Sent from in the bushes

+1


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[Cadeez]

That looks nice and subtle. I will probably end up doing mine like this. What did you use to paint them?

I used standard ol' Rust-oleum metallic paint from Ace Hardware, painted them a year ago and they still look perfect, no chips.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3940_zpsgcvqm7c7.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3940_zpsgcvqm7c7.jpg.html)

Pulled off the calipers, scrubbed them with a steel brush to get all the rust and crap off, doused them with brake cleaner then hit em with a few coats of metallic. I realize the tape job is overkill, but whatev
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2419_zpse92pt4ip.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2419_zpse92pt4ip.jpg.html)

I'm a big fan of the subtle, clean look. I want someone to look at my car and think "damn that looks really nice", but not really be able to point out why. I'm not a real flashy guy, it's all in the details... Not that I don't also like the colored (red, yellow, blue) calipers look, but I'd want it on an M3 with a big brake kit, or at least a car slightly more exotic than my 330i :)

[johnrando]

I used HIGH TEMP paint the first time. This time I have a caliper paint kit so I match the Phoenix Yellow easier.

[UdubBadger]

High temp paint doesn't really make much of a difference tbh. As long as you seal it with a high temp clear coat. I really liked the rustoleum high performance cuz it didn't need a primer.


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[ELCID86]

I used standard ol' Rust-oleum metallic paint from Ace Hardware, painted them a year ago and they still look perfect, no chips.


Pulled off the calipers, scrubbed them with a steel brush to get all the rust and crap off, doused them with brake cleaner then hit em with a few coats of metallic. I realize the tape job is overkill, but whatev


I'm a big fan of the subtle, clean look. I want someone to look at my car and think "damn that looks really nice", but not really be able to point out why. I'm not a real flashy guy. Not that I don't also like the colored (red, yellow, blue) calipers look, but I'd want it on an M3 with a big brake kit, or at least a car slightly more exotic than my 330i :)

Damn that looks really nice Cadeez :-)


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[NoVAphotog]

I used standard ol' Rust-oleum metallic paint from Ace Hardware, painted them a year ago and they still look perfect, no chips.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3940_zpsgcvqm7c7.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_3940_zpsgcvqm7c7.jpg.html)

Pulled off the calipers, scrubbed them with a steel brush to get all the rust and crap off, doused them with brake cleaner then hit em with a few coats of metallic. I realize the tape job is overkill, but whatev
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2419_zpse92pt4ip.jpg (http://s374.photobucket.com/user/jcadell/media/2001%20BMW%20330i/IMG_2419_zpse92pt4ip.jpg.html)

I'm a big fan of the subtle, clean look. I want someone to look at my car and think "damn that looks really nice", but not really be able to point out why. I'm not a real flashy guy. Not that I don't also like the colored (red, yellow, blue) calipers look, but I'd want it on an M3 with a big brake kit, or at least a car slightly more exotic than my 330i :)

Big +1 from me. I have that same attitude toward these types of things...want it to be improved but not flashy. I like that color choice...might have to have another paint day soon.

[az3579]

High temp paint doesn't really make much of a difference tbh. As long as you seal it with a high temp clear coat. I really liked the rustoleum high performance cuz it didn't need a primer.


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Not using high temp paint but using a high temp clear coat doesn't make much sense to me personally. The actual paint is closer to the caliper, and the clear is on top. The paint would get hot before the clear coat...

Also, why not use high temp paint to ensure zero problems with heat? It's kind of a no-brainer. You never know when you'll be in a situation where the brakes will get hot.

I've never measured caliper temps at the track or on the street, but I would think it's always best to play it safe, no?

[UdubBadger]

Sure go for it and I agree with the heat from within but if the clear holds up its not like the paint is gonna bubble from under it. I honestly don't think using high heat is necessary either paint or clear for most people but just saying you can get a lot more color options using high performance paint and high temp clear than just high temp everything.

My experience was that it was fine under spirited driving conditions.


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