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Never used caliper covers personally. Have you ever thought of painting your calipers with caliper paint? We have some HERE if you decide to go that route.
Never used caliper covers personally. Have you ever thought of painting your calipers with caliper paint? We have some HERE if you decide to go that route.
How do they look when finished? Do you remove the calipers to paint or on vehicle?
How do they look when finished? Do you remove the calipers to paint or on vehicle?
The red kit looks like red candy and is very gloss. It's a good red color. You can do it on the car. I'd recommend possibly removing them just so you have more room to do the job, but you don't have to. Better prep work means a better end result. The red paint kit is a popular choice and has some good reviews. It's the most popular one that we sell a lot of.
It looks great on certain cars, MINIs being one of them. The paint is awesome and always stays bright as long as you do one thing... Prep before paint. What I mean is clean, clean and clean some more. Don't paint rubber bits or pads. You'll be happy if you take your time. It doesn't have to be finished in one day.
IMHO I would prefer to paint the caliper over putting a plastic cover that is glued to the caliper.
Currently I have installed the MGP caliper covers ($200).
They are installed with screws (easy plug n play).
Very happy with the result while I know it's too much $$$ for it.
Cons: too much money for four pieces of tin with screws.
Pros: Professional and perfect design. High quality (paint and material). Too easy and reversible installation. Rims always clean !!
Yes I'll probably end up going that direction (paint) .
I thought these were epoxy paint. Doesn't that have a short working window? As in a couple of hours?
Make sure you do all the prep work before you mix the paint. Take your time as better prep work leads to a better end result. Once you start mixing the paint hardener you will have about two hours to paint freely.
Just for reference on the last time I did this. I started around 10am and put the MINI on stands and removed all the wheels and hosed off what I could and then proceeded to use wheel cleaner to remove all the brake dust I could. Then I went in and scrubbed each caliper with brushes and misc other cleaners to get them as clean as possible and I even filed down some of the casting marks left when they were made. By the time I got through with prep it was 2pm there abouts. I started on one wheel painting and got to the second, finished it and went back to the first to do some touch up. 1 side done and it was 4pm. I decided to leave the car on stands over night and finished the other side the next day. 9+ hours later in total and I was done. It looked fantastic!
So, take your time and do it right or look like a 13yr old with a honda
Most people use the Caliper covers to make it "look" like they have larger calipers, I'm against fake stuff.
A light sanding, primer (if needed), paint and some clear coat will make your calipers look great. You can even add a 'Mini' or 'JCW' sticker prior to the clear coat on the caliper, will look Boss.
I don't like the idea of caliper covers. The main functions of the brake system are:
1- Convert kinetic energy (speed) into heat
2- Dissipate the heat to the outside air
Covering up your calipers sounds like it can get in the way of some of function #2.
I don't like the idea of caliper covers. The main functions of the brake system are:
1- Convert kinetic energy (speed) into heat
2- Dissipate the heat to the outside air
Covering up your calipers sounds like it can get in the way of some of function #2.
yea I thought that too, but in reality they didn't hurt anything, and I drive hard on the street ( don't go road racing with them) for somebody on a real budget, having some fun go for it, nobody , I mean nobody picked up on them
lol, Paint match the JCW red on the R56 caliper is the best option. They look really nice and show up well behind black wheels . The only thing with painted calipers is the OEM brake pads dust like crazy with them. So you want to get Hawk or EBC pads. Number 2 , You will always want to clean your wheels and brake calipers more and wax them.
have JCW GP2 kit on the R58 and 4 Piston JCW kit on the R52 now, look really good. Lots to clean.
) for somebody on a real budget, having some fun go for it, nobody , I mean nobody picked up on them
And you dont have to paint them. 
