Hate to be the first one to bring up a painted caliper question on the new forum but ...

I had some body work done last year and have some left over paint. I was wondering if you guys thought that using the actual body paint would hold up on the calipers with it being brushed on. I'm not a body guy and didn't know if there was something special about the paint we use on these cars that would make it so it didn't hold up on things like calipers. Its a unique color car ( steel blue ) and I was having a hard time figuring out what color to paint the calipers and thought to myself that the body color might look cool.


Thanks in advance ,

patsfan

I think it would look good body color.
I would go ahead and give it a try, I have had guys tell me they have painted them with all kinds of stuff. I used Rustoleum before and it lasted a very long time. My new calipers are the GS variety and came powdercoated black. I painted the rear calipers with black brush on rustoleum and they still look nice and shiney. I also used rustoleum spray on the rotor hats as well.

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If you don't like it you can always change it. I used high temp black paint for grills. I like the rustoleum idea though.

I wouldn't brush it on. I'd go ahead and buy the cheapest paint gun and try to spray it.

Borrow or rent a compressor. Actually this may be a good reason to buy a small compressor.

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Thats how I roll, figure in the cost of what someone's labor would involve and get the compressor and you saved bucks.. At least thats what you tell the wife. Any paint will work.

Anyone know if the temps will cook the paint, though?

I used the spray on caliper paint from the parts store. Even with good prep it was crappy. You need to use a high temp primer before you put it on to get good adhesion. I painted mine black (on black car) and I think that would look good with your color. Just a thought.

Matthew

Yep, you should use the high temp paint on the calipers, especially if you engage in sporting driving. Otherwise you will get heat build up that will cause some paints to come right off. Some automotive paints are higher temp than others, I imagine, but at least you will know the risk you face.
As for compressors, I bought my 6 gallon unit at Menard's for $79.00 a couple years ago. Not enough air to spray paint much, but should be enough to work on small jobs like your calipers.

Hey guys ,

Thanks for the insight, I think i'll give it a try and see how it works out. I'll post some pic's when its all said and done.

Thanks again , patsfan

Try brushing it on and then use some high temp clear over it for good measure.

I used regular rustoleom on my calipers and didn't have trouble with the heat. The brake dust did more damage than anything.

Paint shop should also be able to color match and give you a spray can for $10 or so. Maybe they can even use the paint you provide them.

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AutoZone, or that type of chain, should have the $4.00 spray bombs made by Dupli-Color, on the shelf (I got my '85s color there last year, no special order required)

Of course, all of us have seen my pics of the Dupli-color RED ceramic Caliper paint kit before/after shots, so I won't waist bandwidth again.