I am ready to paint my calipers, but I was curious about this sanding them down idea, and the clear coat paint addon thing. Someone shed some light on these two procedures please Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
You won't need to sand them, just clean them up well, some steel wool will work well, then clean them with mineral spirts. The clear coat is a good idea but not necessary. Use a good high gloss paint for high temp applications, put on at least three coats and you'll have all the shine you need. Remember to cover the car (at least the front half) with a plastic drop cloth, you'll be amazed at the overspray if you don't. I also slid cardboard between the rotors and the back of the wheel well for extra overspray protection.
Posted by Mike F - SSOA F99 3913 (Member # 109) on :
use a good cleaner, like Dawn, and an old toothbrush, some fine steel wool and some elbow grease.
Prep the area with covers and include the entire wheelwell. It's best to remove the caliper so you can get the whole thing, and not the pads, but if not, be sure to tape and cover the rotorand the back of the pads.
Like he said, three or four coats of a good hi gloss VHT engine paint, or equivilant, work well.
Posted by Mark IXZD 150 (Member # 235) on :
Brake cleaner works best for degreasing. It's a very "hot" solvent that evaporates immediately. Great for prepping any metal for paint.
Posted by XLR8NSS (Member # 1065) on :
When you use spray brake cleaner, be sure to wear latex gloves. The chemicals in the cleaner, like tolulene, and acetone, can be absorbed directly into your skin and are known to cause cancer. Just FYI. Posted by Mark IXZD 150 (Member # 235) on :
Cancer?
Maybe if you soak your hands in it every day for ten years. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin. It will dry it out a bit.
Posted by XLR8NSS (Member # 1065) on :
Uh, actually no. Acetone and a multitude of other (hot forms of liquid chemicals) the ones that dry quickly, can be absorbed into the blood stream very quickly.As to whether or not it'll give you cancer? I couldnt say for sure, but it could. Some people smoke cigarettes for 40 years and dont get cancer. Then again some people do. I personally dont take unneccesary risks. Ask any good brake tech, and you'll be surprised how many of them wear latex, or sturdier gloves, when working with brake cleaners, or for that matter even brake fluid. I personally wouldn't take the chance either way. Personal safety is up to your discresion. Remember the old saying, "If you have a ten dollar head? buy a ten dollar helmet" Posted by XLR8NSS (Member # 1065) on :
I stand corrected from my previous post. I found no Acetone, or tolulene in my brake cleaner, Its somthing like tetrachloride,trichloritane, chloric yada yada something.Nasty stuff. I would still use latex gloves regardless. Posted by Matt-01-SS (Member # 1150) on :
Um, can we get back to talking about working on the calipers??
Posted by XLR8NSS (Member # 1065) on :
YES! Paint em up and apply the decals they'll look great. (just wear your gloves) He,he,he
