Paint, powder, anodize for calipers?

I'm thinking of painting them gloss black. But I envision peeling, chips, etc. especially by the bleeder which will certainly get some fluid on it.

Any thoughts on paint? Powder coat? Anodize? I've never tried these before. I don't want chrome or polishing, too flashy for my taste.

maybe engine paint? I can use pro auto stuff and shoot it with a real paint gun if needed, but I'd prefer spray can convenience. thanks!

Powder will hold up well, i have coated a few sets of auto calipers without any trouble.. just make sure that whoever does the work gets the part really clean... most places will use chemical resistant powder so no problems there and the heat generated by braking will not effect the powder either.

They make brake caliper paint that is supposed to resist peeling and cracking from brake fluid and heat.
I got mine at wal-mart.

hey mariozappa
have u tried that stuff yet? do you recall the brand?
thanks

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I painted my front caliper with Ace Hardware gloss black a few years ago. It has held up great. However, I am going to take it apart and send it out to be powder coated this summer with a flat black. The gloss color makes it stick out too much. I would like it to be a little more subtle.

Good luck.

Oh by the way, a painting trick I have learned (where appropriate) is to get the part real clean with acetone, and then use a torch to remove any left over oils and residue. It works very well. Just let the item cool down before you hit it with the rattle can.

Post edited by: austin3119, at: 2007/02/27 23:53

how interesting that the "caliper paint" is not holding up to brake fluid... thanks JMK, that's just the kind of info I need.

maybe powder is best choice... i dunno yet

If you take a look at my pic there, thats me playin paintball. I did that on a serious level for a long time.

Well to get the custom look on our markers we would have them anoed. The only issue is that you cannot ano cast alum (well pot metal cast alum) because the other metals (like zinc) will literally melt out of the aluminum and you have a bucket of pretty metal chunks.

I dont know for sure, but my calipers looked like good old japanese pot metal. I know they are cast....so i would think (without someone who knows for sure chiming in) that Ano would be out of the running.


I would get them power coated, that stuff it very durable.

Post edited by: hardr0ck68, at: 2007/02/28 05:26

hey mariozappa
have u tried that stuff yet? do you recall the brand?

Well, I finally found the can in the gararge.
It called Plasti-Kote Brake caliper paint, made by Valspar.
I haven't used it yet, just waiting for the weather to warm up.
However I have used the Truck and SUV paint to paint the frame on my 750/4 and I'm happy with it.