Red Hot Chili Calipers
05-21-2005, 05:28 PM
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Red Hot Chili Calipers
I've finally finished painting the brake calipers on my Z, after about 6+ hours -- though I think a good amount of that time is watching "Shallow Hal" lol....Funny a$$ movie.
Any how, I was hesitant at first about painting the brakes red, because I didn't want them too look retarded. But I did it anyway, and I think they look pretty cool (looks nicer in real life, as my digicam seem to overexpose red colors).
I used a high-temp spray paint for engine (500F, $5), and I think the shine is pretty good....it's nice and glossy and was dried within about 10 mins, which made it easier and faster for applying additional coats.
For covering the surfaces that I didn't want painted, I found aluminum foil to be very useful, as they can be wrapped around the brake and other stuff very easily without the use of masking tape, etc. Big +
And before painting, I highly recommend removing the calipers and brake pads, as it makes for a very clean job. I found it to be very easy for painting if only one bolt from the caliper is removed, as opposed to removing both and having to hold the brake while painting....very difficult.
Here are a few of the pictures I took....enjoy.
Any how, I was hesitant at first about painting the brakes red, because I didn't want them too look retarded. But I did it anyway, and I think they look pretty cool (looks nicer in real life, as my digicam seem to overexpose red colors).
I used a high-temp spray paint for engine (500F, $5), and I think the shine is pretty good....it's nice and glossy and was dried within about 10 mins, which made it easier and faster for applying additional coats.
For covering the surfaces that I didn't want painted, I found aluminum foil to be very useful, as they can be wrapped around the brake and other stuff very easily without the use of masking tape, etc. Big +
And before painting, I highly recommend removing the calipers and brake pads, as it makes for a very clean job. I found it to be very easy for painting if only one bolt from the caliper is removed, as opposed to removing both and having to hold the brake while painting....very difficult.
Here are a few of the pictures I took....enjoy.
05-21-2005, 05:37 PM
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Looks great Tenac1ousZ (and $5 is the right price). I suggest those caliper stickers ($15 and they add to the look). I had mine powedercoated red (though I wish I just went your method but that's a whole 'nuther story), and have the caliper stickers and think it looks good (at least I like it).
05-21-2005, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Chicken
Looks great Tenac1ousZ (and $5 is the right price). I suggest those caliper stickers ($15 and they add to the look). I had mine powedercoated red (though I wish I just went your method but that's a whole 'nuther story), and have the caliper stickers and think it looks good (at least I like it).
05-21-2005, 07:24 PM
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If you track your car or drive it hard on the street, then that paint is probably going to melt. Rotor temperatures can far exceed 500 F.
Supercar brakes often catch fire
Supercar brakes often catch fire
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05-21-2005, 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by zand02max
Where can I buy brown rotors like you have, those are SMOKIN!
Thanks bro. You can find those here: Rustyrotors.com. The rotors have a high-performance coating on them called "BrownCrap," which are used to resist heat....
05-22-2005, 05:58 AM
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Originally Posted by shivak
If you track your car or drive it hard on the street, then that paint is probably going to melt. Rotor temperatures can far exceed 500 F.
Supercar brakes often catch fire
Supercar brakes often catch fire
If anyone tracks their car or drives on the twisties a lot and their brake temperatures exceeds 500F, then I don't think this paint will be good -- I think a brake upgrade would be a lot better
. Fortunate for me, the brake calipers on my car is in the 250-300F during normal everyday driving (tested it with my thermometer +/- some degrees), and unfortunate for me, there are no twisties near my house, so my brakes won't get a chance to heat up that hot. So I guess the paint will be ok....
05-22-2005, 06:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Chicken
Tenac1ousZ, here's a relatively crappy picture of an unwashed wheel but you get the idea...
Last edited by Tenac1ousZ; 02-01-2007 at 01:18 AM.
05-22-2005, 08:51 AM
#13
I have heard you can use nail polish to paint the rotors, I think it may be more heat resistant. I am not 100% sure what to use for the base or primer coat though... in any case, it will be a more durable and shiny finish with a lot of color options if you decide to go this way. I would probably google a bit to see if there are any how-to's about this floating around.
05-22-2005, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Tenac1ousZ
The white letters is exactly what I was thinking of doing to my calipers and was debating between "Nissan" or "350Z."
05-22-2005, 02:04 PM
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About that paint turning brown with heat...... I tracked my car the first time stock and turned my calipers from silver to amber. I fried my pads and changed them out along with my rotors. I painted my pads with the G2 Caliper paint which runs around 25 bucks, but I tracked my car and never had the paint tint in any way. So if you want to paint and worry about fading go with the G2 paint.
05-22-2005, 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by BigMoeTaki42
Hey Chicken, did 2003z do your calipers? If so (if you don't mind me asking) how much did it run you and how do you like it?