Painted Brake Caliper

[Glenn]

I ordered an Eastwood Brake Caliper paint kit and thought I would share some of the install details. In my opinion I originally thought the kit was over priced at $40 for what you get which is a 4 oz "size" can of paint, but only containing about 1 oz of paint (1" deep), a very small bottle of hardener, a glue type paint brush, a wooden stirrer and very brief instructions. I never thought the paint would be near enough to paint all four brake calipers and hats. But, I was wrong about the coverage of the paint and maybe even reconsidering my thoughts on the price.

The instructions state to mix the hardener with the paint and stirr the paint wait 5 minutes and paint. Also, you have only 4-6 hours to finish painting or the paint will harden at a tmeperature of 50-70 degress. I painted at about 85 degrees and the paint was hardening at around 3-4 hours. It took me 2 solid hours of constant painting to apply two coats to the front and rear calipers as well as the rotor hats.

The results were very good. After two weeks and 300+ miles the paint and appearance looks great - very black and shinny. I would recommond the kit to everyone. Total time was 3 hours.

Glenn

[Bradley G]

Very nice Glenn.
Did you compare with over the counter kits?

[CRUZTAKER]

The Eastwood product has been hailed and is well known in the forum.

Well worth the price, and let me add, when I did mine, it was 62 degees and I managed 5 coats each caliper before running into thickening mixture.

31K later they are as shiny and red as the day they were done.

Let me add for posterity that a three coat coverage is bare minimum for achieving a smooth, glass like coverage. Also, the availability of additional, different shaped brushes allow for a near OEM look with fine edges.

Here are about 24 additional threads regarding this prodcut.


http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/search.php?searchid=1073041

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/search.php?searchid=1073043

[KillJoy]

DAYUM!!!! Those look SWEET!!!

KillJoy

[CRUZTAKER]

As an after thought.

I used VHT spray caliper paint, in black, for the front and rear HUBS to save on material.

They look fine as well, in high gloss.

I just did my Focus calipers & hubs this weekend as well.;)

[Mikeenh]

Check out ebay. Same stuff. G2 paint kit $34.95 shipped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RED-G2-BRAKE-CALIPER-PAINT-2-PART-EPOXY-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ270028238873 QQihZ017QQcategoryZ33563QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

[1stMerc]

Finally got around to doing mine. Used Dupli-Color kit on mine. Kit contains 11oz caliper cleaner, 8oz can of paint, masking tape, stick stirrer, and glue brush. Mixed in a little blue touch up paint to get a little closer to DTR. Three coats and still enough left to do another 4. Paint does not harden in can, but will skin over if not stirred occasionally.
Hope the Eastwood kit has better drying time. This one says wheels on after 2 hrs. and not to use vehicle for 24. Used Hammerite bronze paint on the frames.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/2/7/FrontCalRear.JPG
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/2/7/RearCalFront.JPG

[Glenn]

Post pictures when you put the wheels on the car.

Hint: put anti-sieze grease on non-painted surfaces contacting the wheel to enable easier removal later. Also, make sure you have not put even a little paint on the stud threads or you will NOT be able to take off the nuts. I had to put a blow torch to mine to loosen them up.

Glenn

[1stMerc]

Thanks,

I put on the anti-seize when i put the wheels on yesterday. Had a surprise while i was washing the car today. That anti-seize had slung to the outside edge of the hat of the front rotors. Didn't wash off under jet spray so i left it for the time being, since it looks rather symetrical.

Just had new tires put on recently so three weren't difficut. Had to take a rubber mallet to the left rear. I tell you what, i'm glad we don't have 20's on our cars.

[1stMerc]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/2/7/IMAG0096.JPG
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/2/7/IMAG0100.JPG
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/2/7/IMAG0097.JPG

[rayjay]

Looks really nice 1stMerc! Using mine as a daily driver year round I went with the dark gray hammer paint. Surprizingly it held up to two winters of snow, ice and road salt. I just had to touch it up this spring. I used a red paint kit on my Focus and all it did was call attention to rusted sections of the suspension. :(

[gmtech]

wher did you get this hammerite paint ..is it a spray?

[rayjay]

wher did you get this hammerite paint ..is it a spray?
I used plain old Rust-Oleum, Hammered finish in a spray can.

[1stMerc]

wher did you get this hammerite paint ..is it a spray?

This is the best info i can find on the net. The name i bought it under is "Hammerite Hammered Metal Finish". You can google it to get better prices.
I've had it for about 13 years from i think a store called Big Lots or Grandpa Pidgeons (now out of business). Back then all those different colors weren't available. I think many paint stores may carry it or can get it.
Mine came in 1/2 pint size (brush), but brush or spray can be had

That's the silver on the motorcycle frame in my gallery.

Great stuff

http://colorworksinc.biz/?mainURL=%2Fstore%2Fcategory%2 Faxzx%2FHammerite_RustCap_Hamm ered_Finish.html%3Fcategory_id %3Daxzx

[1stMerc]

Looks really nice 1stMerc! Using mine as a daily driver year round I went with the dark gray hammer paint. Surprizingly it held up to two winters of snow, ice and road salt. I just had to touch it up this spring. I used a red paint kit on my Focus and all it did was call attention to rusted sections of the suspension. :(

rayjay,
I'm rollin mine year round as well.
Tell me about the rust. I made the mistake of looking under the car while on stands and saw the rust forming on the frame joints and some flats. So out came the wire brush and the "Rust Fix"

Friday night before darkness and SKEETERShttp://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/2/7/IMAG0082.JPG
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/2/7/IMAG0080.JPG

[Glenn]

1stMerc:

Very nice job. How about a picture of the car with the wheels.

glenn

[1stMerc]

1stMerc:

Very nice job. How about a picture of the car with the wheels.

glenn

Thanks Glen,

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/2/7/IMAG0140.JPG

[Digital Man]

All look awesome! My calipers are looking nasty and I am trying to figure out the best method to get them painted.

I've been told painting doesn't last much more then a couple of years then they'll look the same as they do now.

I was also told to look at powder coating, but it sounds expensive.

Can anyone here let me know what you think? Also, can you buy painted calipers for the MM?

Thanks!

[fastblackmerc]

All look awesome! My calipers are looking nasty and I am trying to figure out the best method to get them painted.

I've been told painting doesn't last much more then a couple of years then they'll look the same as they do now.

I was also told to look at powder coating, but it sounds expensive.

Can anyone here let me know what you think? Also, can you buy painted calipers for the MM?

Thanks!
Price depends on your powdercoater. The guy I use is reasonable. No you can not buy powdercoated stock calipers. If you upgrade the brakes the calipers are powdercoated.

[1stMerc]

Painting your own isn't difficult, but more time consuming depending on how meticulus you are. The biggest thing is make sure you clean the calipers throughly. How they'll look after a couple of years also depends on how much effort you put in maintaining them, just like the exterior paint.

As was said powder coating may be initially expensive or not depending on who does the job, but they will look good and be easy to keep that way for years to come.

[Glenn]

1stMerc:

Very nice '04 DTR. I have never seen a DTR with a factory spoiler - very rare.

Glenn

[rayjay]

Painting your own isn't difficult, but more time consuming depending on how meticulus you are. The biggest thing is make sure you clean the calipers throughly. How they'll look after a couple of years also depends on much effort you put in maintaining them, just like the exterior paint.
1stMerc is right, its all in what you put into it or are willing to. My DTR is a daily driver year round. I live in the snowbelt of central NYS. For me there is no sense in spending a lot of time on painted calipers. Its just not going to last here. As I said before, rustoleum gray hammer paint held up much better than expected and blends in with the rest of the suspension/undercarriage. Worked for me, not the prettiest but beats rusted.