I’m getting ready to install my R56 brake calipers, but I want to paint them red to match the rears (painted by the po of my car) I’m pretty settled on the G2 epoxy paint, but I’m kind of at a standstill when it comes to cleaning the calipers. I’ve been using a drill and wire brush with brake cleaner too and they’re much cleaner than they were, but still no where near sparkling. But I’m not really getting anywhere with the wire brush anymore. I was thinking about using my little belt sander, but I’m not sure if I smooth the surface of the caliper if that’ll affect the adhesion of the paint worse than having some brake dust in the crevices.

anybody have any experience with it? I’ve never painted calipers before. It honestly is a big pain in the butt. I’d really just like to instal them and my new stainless lines and start enjoying the improved braking.

 

Easy peasy. Auto parts stores have paint especially for that purpose able to withstand the extra heat.

 

One other hint on doing both on each side at the same time.

 

You are on the right track with the drill, wire brush and brake cleaner. I also used a wheel cleaner specifically designed to breakdown brake dust. Prep is the key to making the caliper paint last! Continue to get them as clean as possible. I would not suggest sanding.

When you finally have the painted, cured and on the MINI, you will love the look!

Stay safe. Drive fast, take chances!

 

I paint them with rustOleum brush on.. its never chipped or faded on any of my calipers. Heres my lazy touch up I did after grinding my calipers for clearance
the paints so durable you can paint over dirty calipers even. Just spray them with brake cleaner and thats it , though if they're off obv clean them best you can with a wire brush 1st but the paints super durable.

 

Thanks, that's what I was generally thinking. The G2 is brush on and I'm in the lucky position of having them off the car already, so that helps. I've just been surprised how long it's taking to get them clean. I probably have 3 hours in on the cleaner caliper, and 1 hour spent on the dirtier one. Also gone through 3 cans of brake cleaner so far. I think I may try some wheel cleaner to see if that helps me make any headway, I might also bust out the pressure washer I got for christmas. I'll probably put the sander a way though.

 

the rustOleum woulda gone rite over it , I wonder if your paint would have also..so long as its thick enough.
Lol we did my brothers calipers in black , with his rims on even through the gaps and didn't clean them one bit..its a dailydriver 2013 f150 and they look as good as the day we did them..you'd never guess we did them super lazy by how nice they looked.

 

Prep determines the quality. If you want them to be colored, you can do whatever you want. If you want them to look good (like a factory finished, high end caliper), you need, to do, the thorough prep.

​​​​​​When I refinish calipers, I take them down, to bare smooth metal with a die grinder and a 3M Scotchbrite Roloc discs. I take off more, than just surface dirt and corrosion, and am actually polishing the metal, giving a smooth gloss surface for the paint. Then use a high quality spray paint meant for high heat (typically requires curing in an oven).

 

Don't forget that we're all waiting intently for pictures of the finished product.

 

totally agree , to obtain the stock look is abit of work for sure..lol thats why I went red..hahaha and of course red made them perform better..

 

+5 extra braking power per caliper, everyone knows that :P

 

My point had nothing, to do with color. I was referring to quality. There's a difference between a brush on red finish and a red Brembo caliper.

 

Hahaha, I will post some up when they're done either to boast or to display my own shame... I care more about how well they work than how well they look, but I'd like for them to look good. I've pretty much decided against trying to put some JCW stickers on them. I made some progress on the dirtier caliper today, a soak in simple green and some time with the pressure washer helped, but it's still going to need some more wire brush time. But the paint is on the way, and I have the brake lines, discs, and pads all sitting in the garage staring at me, so I'm hoping to get them painted in the next 2 weeks and on the car soon thereafter.

 

or just get them powder coated... a decent place will material blast the caliper.

 

I looked into it, but the lowest price I could find was $200 + tax and shipping. If they were brembos or something nice, I might consider it, but since they’re just the poor mans jcw kit and my funds are tight, I decided to go with paint. I did what I have decided is my final wire brushing last night. The G2 paint does have a guarantee for I’d the paint chips or flakes, they will send you a free can, so I’ve decided that good enough is good enough. The paint gets to me on Wednesday and I’m off on Saturday, so I’m going to try and get them masked up so u can paint on Saturday and then get them installed on my next day off, or maybe even during an evening if I get off work early.

My main reason for doing the caliper swap is to cure the brake fade I am getting on track days. I think I kind of forgot that while I was cleaning the calipers and started wanting them to look car show perfect. But track days start up in 8 weeks and I want to be ready, so it’s time to get them painted and on the car. then I can move on to swapping out the rear shock mounts and be ready to get on track!

 

Paint applied! I’m pretty excited about how they’re going to turn out. I’m sure I could have gotten them cleaner, but honestly I was tired of scrubbing them, and thing I got them prepped good enough. I’m pretty impressed with the paint, goes on pretty well, and looks like it’s gonna have a nice glossy finish. Now I just need them to dry so I can put them back together and get them on the car.

 

Welp, they're going on the car tomorrow, so this is probably the best they're going to look. I'm very pleased with how they look. I'll be even happier if they work. Before I started working on this upgrade, I'd never disassembled a caliper, and honestly didn't quite understand how they worked, but lots of googling and youtube watching helped me get this done. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

You lot have some very understanding SOs... if I bring car parts inside the house, they better be in packaging or I'm getting an ear-full. So much so, that I had to install a 10x10 tuffshed in the yard to use as my shop.

Anywho, came out great and the REAL benefit is, now you know how your brake calipers work. That knowledge will outlast that paint.

 

If you want it smooth and stand out. Try powder coating them

 

Hahahaha, I definitely got an earful when my missus got a whiff of the paint while I painted at the kitchen table... but I rarely bring car parts inside, and the temps outside are not conducive to paint drying. But I’m really happy with how they look now that they’re on the car. I’m curious what they’ll be like once the pads are bedded in.

 

Here's what I was telling you , all you had to to was spray them once , wire brush them and spray one more time and then paint. I even went rite over the old paint and it evened out very well.. you DONT NEED to meticulously prep them. Trust me ! Pm me anytime and ille send you current pics of my calipers and other than them being dirty , I bet the paint will be just as nice as it is today.

 

Well done! Looks great and your detailing efforts on the wheel well didn't go unnoticed either.

 

The right paint makes all the difference, in the Netherlands I have seen Hammerite (for steel fences etc) being used with good results. I used Motip rattle can paint in the past and some "special" brake caliper paint for the Volvo S80

 

If you really want to cure brake fade, this is what you need.

Front JCW GP (316mm)


Rear JCW GP (280mm)

And they're already red! (See, I'm saving you time & money.)

 

Haha, yeah, Those calipers did cross my mind, but they seem pricey, and I like to run 16 inch wheels which I don't thin is an option with those.