Can anybody confirm the JCW logos on the front brake calipers are sealed under the clear coat and not decals.

I am just curious since I observed fading that may look more like brake dust deposits.

 

They fade from temps/ washing over time. They are painted on from the factory, i think its a screen print in the paint somehow. Mine has only done this a little, i have seen other early Gen 2 MINIs with them that the surfboard logo is almost gone.

 

Manufacturers usually pad print calipers and don't clear coat. Most DIY'ers use vinyl decals, but they might not hold up depending on the quality of vinyl and how hard you drive the car, even under clear coat. Using custom stencils, airbrushing, and clear coating with heat/caliper paint is the most durable for DIY.

I've screen printed calipers before but it was really time consuming and only really works with calipers that have flat machined faces.

 

Make sense and what I thought since the clear coat is still shiny.

 

Yep, welcome, I hit my calipers with some wax about once or twice a year to try to prevent fading and use sonax wheel cleaner so it not that harsh.