Brake Caliper Refresh

[echo46]

All

Been noticing lately that my brake calibers are looking tired and a touch rusty. What method is used to refresh their look. Can I wire brush and paint. Opinions please.

[derbo]

make sure you use high temp paint. I would cover your rubber boots and use brake cleaner to clean out the brake dust before painting. Cover up your rotor hub too so you don't get marks all over the rotor hub. The rotor brake surface doesn't matter too much since the pad will remove it after you start driving.

[mimalmo]

Use anti-seize when you put everything back together.

[echo46]

Thanks everyone. Is this a common refresh?

[HokieZHP]

Get this...

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

[echo46]

Thanks hokie, just what was looking for.

[kayger12]

Thanks everyone. Is this a common refresh?

I have gotten rust spots twice and needed to spray them.

Thinking about going black this summer (silver now).

[echo46]

That is my next question for everyone, what color should I go with - orient blue ZHP. Red, Silver ??

[ryankokesh]

Bluuuuuue


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[(BMW)]

go with black

[kayger12]

I like the silver on mine. Blends tastefully.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-05-21_17-33-42_418.jpg

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-25_16-52-20_258.jpg

[kayger12]

That being said, I'm thinking about black...

[echo46]

Wow that looks really nice Kayger. Did you use the tire rack system?

[kayger12]

Negative. They were already sprayed that color when I bought her.

I used silver caliper paint for the re-sprays.

[danewilson77]

Black

[danewilson77]

That being said, I'm thinking about black...

LOL......

[echo46]

Yes, black will look fairly bad ass.

[danewilson77]

Moved to "Brakes".

Mine. Red. ZSP...with brake kit from Smilez.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/DSC02697sz1200.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/DSC02698sz1200-1.jpg

[johnrando]

Those looked good Dane. That said, I'm likely going to do mine black, as they aren't sezzy enough in the standard setup to really stand out. EDIT: so you don't have to remove them, as per the Tire Rack kit? I keep looking at Keith's silver, and I really like the way that blends in.... hmmmm

[danewilson77]

Naa....no removal necessary. There is a super video on Youtube....showing a guy applying the two part paint.

I can't get there from work.

[kayger12]

The reason I like the silver is because it allows them to blend-- you're eyes are drawn to the 135s as a whole and not to the contrast of the caliper.

[echo46]

That would be great if I didnt have to rmove them as I was planning on doing. Red looks good too. SO many choices.... I'm still leaning toward silver as I too am not trying to draw attention away from the beautiful 135s. I just want to make them look clean and squared away.

[jayjay_dee]

Thinking about going black this summer (silver now).

We're thinking the same Keith...

[johnrando]

The reason I like the silver is because it allows them to blend-- you're eyes are drawn to the 135s as a whole and not to the contrast of the caliper.

+1. As I said before, these aren't the best looking calipers, so I might continue w/silver to have them blend. Is the tirerack URL in this thread linked correctly so that the site gets credit?

[HokieZHP]

No it's not linked through the site


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[JupiterBMW]

Once you go black you never go back...

That's what I'm doing. :biggrin

[UdubBadger]

I went blue.

Love it


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

[HokieZHP]

Still loving the yellow as much as the day I did it!

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/62be406a.jpg

[UdubBadger]

I wanted that but a touch more golden yellow but can't find paint for it


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

[WOLFN8TR]

Once you go black you never go back...

That's what I'm doing. :biggrin

X2...

[Meric]

I prefer Yellow on darker colours... Blue & Silver still looks good tho .

[BimmerWill]

I went with an almost Laguna seca blue on mine. Loved it just a tad bit more difficult to clean because of the lighter color. They are due for a refresh. Possible winter project. I removed mine and sprayed the calipers as well as the brackets that hold them to the rotor. Will prob do the same when I do a respray...

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[UdubBadger]

I need to grease my front pins and pads cuz they are noisy and have been since I painted um.


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

[ryankokesh]

It sounded almost like they weren't tightly in the holders or something.... Not convinced its a grease thing :dunno


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[UdubBadger]

whats happening is the paint build up on the guides is making the pad stick in place a little, which is why it clicks when you hit the brakes and force them to move.

[WOLFN8TR]

Mine are Black.

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee438/WOLFN8TR/BMW/IMG_7327.jpg

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee438/WOLFN8TR/BMW/IMG_7328.jpg

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee438/WOLFN8TR/BMW/IMG_7332.jpg

[JupiterBMW]

Couldn't locate the right paint today. I found 500* Engine paint, but looking for the high heat stuff, I think it says up to 900* or maybe 1200*... Either way, Brakleen was 2 for $8, so I picked that up!

[Hermes]

^ I wouldn't use that stuff, it won't ever truly set. The calipers will never get hot enough (and if they do you have bigger problems than paint setting)

[HokieZHP]

Yeah i tried engine enamel and it never looked quite right. Do yourself a favor and get this kit. It's awesome! I've done 3 sets so far and have no complaints. Came out perfectly every time. http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/accessoryDetail.jsp?ID=41

[cakM3]

Right now after installing the BMW Performance BBKs on my ZHP, I'm leaning on Phoenix Yellow for my brake calipers on both the ZHP (finishing the rear set) and the ///M.....

Here's the link for those interested in using Phoenix Yellow: http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html (http://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-445.html)

[MiniD]

Hokie gave me the inspiration to my M3 calipers yellow.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/8007403148_6276977d5e_c.jpg

[danewilson77]

:drool

[JupiterBMW]

Hmm, I didn't see the follow up posts on this thread after I posted about the engine enamel paint... And well, too late now! :biggrin

Besides, I've always used the DupliColor high heat/engine enamels on other cars, and its always done me well. I did 2 coats semi-gloss black (leftover can I had so I figured I'd do the base with that) and then 2-3 coats of gloss black on top. I finished it off with 2 coats of engine enamel clear coat, also a gloss. Needless to say, they look pretty damn good! :biggrin

[ryankokesh]

Any pics?


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[UdubBadger]

nice yeah I didn't clear mine - totally should've though

[JupiterBMW]

Any pics?


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Pics and writeup coming in my project thread when its finally all finished... Slight fiasco with rear rotors.

But, I will say, the calipers are baby smooth and glossy. Not as smooth as powdercoat, but not rough... I'm hoping the smooth glossy finish will help prevent brake dust from sticking over long periods of time.