My car is about 1-1/2 years old, with about 18,000 miles. I bought some Mintex pads (to reduce dust) and decided as long as I'm replacing the pads, I'll paint the calipers.

After about half an hour hunched inside a wheel well, trying to clean the calipers, I thought, hell, I know how to bleed brakes - I'm taking the damn things off! So I removed the calipers and the back pieces and I am still trying to get them clean!

So far I've only used brake cleaner and a wire brush and some rags. But they are still filthy! Jeez - how do you get these things clean? (And how clean do they really need to be?)

 

This is a really old post, but this is exactly the problem I'm having! I did the same thing and just took off the calipers, spent hours brushing and spraying with brake cleaner... then I got fed up, out came the air compressor and bits, but they still look dirty in spots. I have plenty of pads and was considering just getting them down to smooth metal. Did you ever get any info on how clean they need to be?

 

I am also curious because my rear calipers have 75,000 miles on them and I want to paint them but have been putting it off because I was not sure how to get them clean without sandblasting.

 

If your using a good caliper paint all you need is a small wire brush & brake cleaner, if this doesn't take something off odds are it will not effect the paint, of course just make sure all the brake cleaner has evaporated.

Good caliper paint with hardener actually creates a type of shell if you will, not only clinging to the caliper but to itself, it's almost like powder coat when I say shell.

 

Thanks BlwnAway! I think I might work on them a little more anyway since the more time I spend on prep the better they will turn out. I've got the G2 paint, good reviews all around and orange too. :D

 

Sounds like your over prepping. Wire brush them heavily and get smooth. Then just use the aerosol caliper cleaner to get the dust off and wipe them down with lint free rag. Paint with a caliper paint using several light coats to prevent dripping. Stuff is pretty thick so it covers well.

 

I use a small orbital sander and work down the rust to bare metal. Prime, spray, clear. Done.