Weekend to Paint calipers in my garage

[Doublea88]

For those thinking of buying caliper covers instead of painting your brakes, I suggest you reconsider and either paint them yourself or hire someone to do it. Heard too many horror stories about caliper covers causing some kind of issue down the line.

I decided to paint my calipers this weekend after watching some YouTube videos and some posts here to get an idea.

My best advice is to be very patient with the drying time in between coats and before applying any decals. I did 4 or 5 coats of gloss cherry red paint I found at lowes for $6 a can and didn't even use the entire can. Also got one can of clear gloss.

I wiped down the caliper with brake cleaner throughly and let it dry. Hardest part was masking all parts that you dont want any paint on. The rears were such a pain to mask and to paint since its not as smooth as the front calipers.

Sprayed the first coat very lightly and used a hair dryer to speed up drying time. Added numerous coats 5 -10 minutes in between coats. Then let it dry for 30-60 minutes depending on humidity and temperature. I then applied tesla decals I got on ebay and applied two coats of clear gloss. First two wheels were done in 4 hours and left in garage to dry overnight. I was pretty impressed with the quality for it being the first time doing this. I was lazy to not want to have to disassemble all calipers and paint them all at once. I guess it was also because didn't have a way to jack up the whole car. I did this one wheel at a time and took my time cleaning the wheel hub and center ring as they were a little rusty.

 

[Pianewman]

$6 can? What brand? Is it high temperature paint?

 

[Doublea88]

$6 can? What brand? Is it high temperature paint?

Since the calipers don't get hot like regular cars , didn't go with high temp paint. I think it's just lowes basic paint.

 

[Pianewman]

Doublea88: You can be a test mule for others here. it doesn't take much downhill braking to heat things up, but you're correct that regen takes the stress off the brakes..

 

[Doublea88]

Yup very much interested in testing it out. Was even thinking about it when i was looking at it in the store. Will update back in a few months to see how it held up.

 

[thesmokingman]

$6 can? What brand? Is it high temperature paint?

VHT Caliper paint, that is that's what should be used.

 

[nate704]

OP will find out soon. if it gets hot, the paint will bubble up and fade.

 

[Pianewman]

He clearly knows this. Time will tell, and it sounds like he'll let us know.

Over and out...

 

[Doublea88]

Precisely!

 

[Phunkfarm]

You can also use any engine block paint which has the same heat resistance as caliper paint. Not quite sure why anyone would try to save $3 a can using basic paint from Home Depot "just to see" if Tesla regen can save them from needing to use heat resistant paint when the correct paint is available everywhere. I went with VHT Grabber green engine paint. Lime green calipers are the rage in my area. And yes, our brakes are indeed designed and manufactured by Brembo themselves. Happy to have tagged them as such. There are enough "TESLA" and "T"s on our cars already.

 

[Kairide]

You can also use any engine block paint which has the same heat resistance as caliper paint. Not quite sure why anyone would try to save $3 a can using basic paint from Home Depot "just to see" if Tesla regen can save them from needing to use heat resistant paint when the correct paint is available everywhere. I went with VHT Grabber green engine paint. Lime green calipers are the rage in my area. And yes, our brakes are indeed designed and manufactured by Brembo themselves. Happy to have tagged them as such. There are enough "TESLA" and "T"s on our cars already.

Agree, if you’re taking the time to paint your calipers and do a write up, spend the extra few bucks and do it with the write material.