What kid should I use for this? I've heard good and bad reviews about the ones from duplicolor, and how I should use other kits? I also need advice on how to not let it run all over the place. Thank You very much!

Duplicolor is the best IMHO, but there are others. Here is a DIY from the Civic site. I know its a Civic but you get the geberal idea.
Okay Guys this is what you want to do if you want to paint your brake Calipers.

First of all, I used the G2 Brake Caliper Paint Kit. I bought it brand new off of ebay. It was the cheapest place that I could find that sold the paint kit. Here's a link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170130086591&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=007

Here is a picture of everything that came in the kit:
http://gallery.8thcivic.com/albums/Exterior-Style-Mods/cal1.jpg

Lets get started.

1) First, I used 2 jacks on 1 side of the veichle and took both of the wheels off of that side.
http://gallery.8thcivic.com/albums/Exterior-Style-Mods/cal2.jpg

2) Get a paper towel and spray the Brake Caliper Cleaner on the towel and then proceed to clean the Brake Caliper Area. Once it is clean, thoroughly dry the caliper.

2) Tape off the areas where you want to paint your calipers.
On the front brake tape here:
http://gallery.8thcivic.com/albums/Exterior-Style-Mods/cal3.jpg
and on the rear brake tape these 2 places:
http://gallery.8thcivic.com/albums/Exterior-Style-Mods/cal4.jpg

3) Mix the paint reactor into the paint, give it a good stir every 5 minutes, and allow it about 15 minutes to fully react with the paint.

4) Paint light coats on both the front and rear calipers, waiting about 15 minutes between coats so they have enough time to dry. Repeat this process about 3 times for a total of 3 coats per caliper.

5) Once painting is done on the one side, remove tape, install and re-torque wheels to 80 ft/lbs, and repeat on the opposite side.

OPTIONAL STEP
6) If you have decals ready, I waited overnight untill the next day to install the decals to ensure that the paint was fully dried.
http://gallery.8thcivic.com/albums/Exterior-Style-Mods/cal5.jpg
http://gallery.8thcivic.com/albums/Exterior-Style-Mods/cal6.jpg

(I ordered the caliper decals from Grafixpressions. Here is an email from them incase you need to order them)


7) After you applied the stickers re-torque the wheels again to 80 lbs/ft. And congradulations! You just successfully painted your brake calipers.

TIPS:
1) WEAR GLOVES WHEN PAINTING (Trust me on this one, the paint is a bitch to get off once it touches your skin or anything so just wear gloves)
2) Place newspapers or paper towels underneath the area you are painting just incase some paint leaks on the floor.
3) Dont be a dumbass like me. KNOW WHERE THE CAN OF PAINT IS. If not, your gonna spill it all over your pool table like i did.... ( I spilled like half the can and i still had plenty to paint the calipers lol. Even f*ckin laquer thinner doesnt take that shit off your hands)
http://gallery.8thcivic.com/albums/Exterior-Style-Mods/cal7.jpg
(I am so pissed about this you dont even know)
4) Have fun, dont take it too seriously, and have a couple beers while your painting :thumb:

Here is the end result with the wheels on:
http://gallery.8thcivic.com/albums/Exterior-Style-Mods/cal8.jpg
http://gallery.8thcivic.com/albums/Exterior-Style-Mods/cal9.jpg

Have fun!

Here is the link to that thread...
http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/exterior-style-mods/49958-diy-how-paint-your-brake-calipers-w-pics.html

To All:

Wishing NOT to draw any attention to myself...or my car...:thumbsdow

Should I EVER decide to refinish my calipers? It will be "Basic Black." :yes:

But WHY BOTHER? :dunno: :scratch:

Black will radiate the heat better too...

Bruce Hawkins:

That was a not so obvious point I indirectly made...which you state quite accurately.

Black finishes tend to have an "exothermic" effect on many metals, such as cast iron. Ergo, they draw heat OUT. This is one reason, many years ago, that companies such as GM started painting their engines BLACK. And, aside from appearance, this is also WHY, soon after I bought it, I painted the rear drums on my trusty '86....BLACK. :yes:

I might add that, BLACK does not show dirt, grease, road grime like bright Red, Yellow, Orange, etc. :D

IMO red calipers when not part of a performance braking system (only aesthetic) is quite ricey

Stick with black!

I like those gold decals on the calipers alot more than I thought I would!

However instead of using engine degreaser, I would just use brake cleaner.

i used a search engine to find this thread cause i didnt want to make a new one...does anybody know a good kit i can find online that uses a spray as opposed to a brush? id like to paint my calipers yellow as well if that helps. ive seen duplicolor at a local autoparts but would like a quality paint. how is vht? thanks

i used a search engine to find this thread cause i didnt want to make a new one...does anybody know a good kit i can find online that uses a spray as opposed to a brush? id like to paint my calipers yellow as well if that helps. ive seen duplicolor at a local autoparts but would like a quality paint. how is vht? thanks

Given the extreme operating temperatures involved with rotors, calipers (and drums, for that matter), you will find that most any finish does NOT bond well, especially in the case of cast Iron calipers. Regrettably, Iron (Fe) does NOT lend itself very well to "paint," where severe "thermal cycling" is involved.

Aside from the (obvious) manufacturing cost savings, there IS a valid reason WHY most calipers/drums come UNFINISHED...from the factory: Most any "paint" will NOT hold up, over time.

However, Iron DOES lend itself rather nicely to baked-on CERAMIC coatings and ELECTROPLATING...such as white/yellow Zinc.

As I explained above, the "optimum" color is BLACK, given its "exothermic" properties. Black typically draws heat OUT.

Regardless of any finish you may choose to apply, the entire surface area should be powder/bead blasted...and acid washed...to facilitate maximum bonding results.

IMO red calipers when not part of a performance braking system (only aesthetic) is quite ricey

Stick with black!

I think it looks good, and its not like he put brembo sticker on the breaks he is representing the stock Honda calipers. It would be considered riced out if he put the Brembo or some other manufactures logo on there, good job OP looks nice

To All:

Might I add that, without a set of alloy rims, you and your "audience" won't see anything you may do to your calipers/drums. "Steelies" and plastic wheel covers CONCEAL everything! :D

I think it looks good, and its not like he put brembo sticker on the breaks he is representing the stock Honda calipers. It would be considered riced out if he put the Brembo or some other manufactures logo on there, good job OP looks nice


I didn't say it "looks" bad but as I stated, red calipers are indicative of high performance braking systems and when it is not part of a performance set up, IMO you are "faking the funk"

To All:

Should I decide to "paint" my brake calipers "Chinese Red," "International Orange," or "School Bus Yellow," etcetera, WHAT is the controlling purpose? :dunno: :scratch:

To "impress" myself? To "impress" others? Some combination, thereof? :dunno: :scratch:

I painted the calipers on my previous truck and my dad just painted his on his challenger, both were done with engine paint (mine chevy orange, his black). Engine paint will not chip or fade from heat of the brakes, anything but black will get very dirty tho. But they look cool if you keep them clean.

To All:

Should I decide to "paint" my brake calipers "Chinese Red," "International Orange," or "School Bus Yellow," etcetera, WHAT is the controlling purpose? :dunno: :scratch:

To "impress" myself? To "impress" others? Some combination, thereof? :dunno: :scratch:


Most import tuners are into loud colors, think too fast too furious type stuff. Some think it looks good, some think it's ricey - all personal opinion I guess.

To All:

Wishing NOT to draw any attention to myself...or my car...:thumbsdow


But WHY BOTHER? :dunno: :scratch:

Exactly! really...why?:dunno:

What kid should I use for this? I've heard good and bad reviews about the ones from duplicolor, and how I should use other kits? I also need advice on how to not let it run all over the place. Thank You very much!

I literally just used the duplicolor red kit that I bought from advanced auto parts a few hours ago on my 6thgen coupe V6. the finish wasnt the greatest, yet I did only put 2 coats on...

I'd give the duplicolor a 7/10 because it dried in only 15 mins or less.

To All:

For sake of my sheer curiousity, are you "painting" the rotors, ON the car? And what "prep" do you do, prior to applying said finish? Scrub them with a wire brush, to remove the surface oxidation? Wash them with brake cleaner, LT (Lacquer Thinner), IA (Isopropyl Alcohol)? :dunno: :scratch: