Painted Calipers and The Car Wash

[KamalaMP5]

I'm going to have some free time over this summer and after the speaker install, I'm feeling good about trying some other low level mods to keep working with my hands (as I type from the law library at 1:30 am when I should be working on finals). Anyway, I read all the threads on painting calipers and I was wondering how well they would hold up in a car wash. I unfortunately can't always afford time or money to wash the car myself or have it hand washed, but I don't want my work to be screwed the first time I run it through. Thoughts? Will I have to opt for the expensive lacquer paint instead of the Wal-Mart special? Thanks for any advice!

 

[Equinox]

when concerning paint, there is only one you need, high temperature paint - as for holding up in the car wash, the only thing the car wash will do to the paint will get the brake dust off. The car wash wont take off that paint, unless the car wash starts taking off the paint on your car itself, then you have a bigger problem.

 

[lpsalsaman]

Painted Calipers.

The last comments are right, the way to go is high tem paint. However, just make sure you clean the calipers real good before you paint them. If not, the paint will slowly start fading out.

 

[Sir Nuke]

Re: Painted Calipers.

The last comments are right, the way to go is high tem paint. However, just make sure you clean the calipers real good before you paint them. If not, the paint will slowly start fading out.

not only will it fade...but it will begin to peel. clean them REALLY good. AND put the paint on with a brush....even if you buy SPRAY paint....spray it into a jar or something and then apply with a brush....that way you don't have to tape off so much...nor do you have to worry about over spray getting on your car.

 

[mp5]

I used reguler high temp paint that you can find at any auto parts store for $3.50 and have not had any problems using the tochless car wash down the street 2 dozen times at least. Just clean the calipers really well before applying the paint and you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[adragonfly]

I used that high temp paint, too. It's $3.99 at the auto parts store. I cleaned the calipers reeeeeally well with brake cleaner and then painted them after that dried up. If you have the time, I guess you could use a paint brush to apply the paint, but I just covered everything I didn't want painted with newspaper and tape plus I did it in a non-windy place (to prevent overspray being blown around). I spent more time on preparation than on the actual painting.

No problems at the carwash as far as I can see.

 

[Sir Nuke]

I spent more time on preparation than on the actual painting.

that is exactly why I mentioned doing the painting with a bruch...been there done that....the tapeing off and covering every thing JUST right....takes a bit of time.

 

[Badvmc]

The car wash is definitely not a problem. I wash my calipers with a pressure washer, and they keep looking good, time after time. Personaly, i prefered taping evrything, and then using spray paint, but it did take me about 1hr per weel. That is for brushing, cleaning, taping, painting & removing Tape.

But Hey, who cares about time, it'a a labour of love!!!

 

[YellowMP5]

painted brake calipers look awesome. although i have never taken nor plan on taking my car through an automatic carwash, the calipers still look awesome. i used to use qtips to clean them from brake dust but now i just spray on eagle one wheel cleaner and it trully does miracles on those calipers. you still need to wipe the wheels from dust but the calipers are super clean after a spray with water.

 

[Baltopro5]

What Kind of High Temp paint?

Is the $3-4 engin paint ok? I have seen JCwhitney selling this brake paint just for this but it is about $12 for 2 small cans.
Their paint claims to last at least to 1200 degres instead of the 600-850 temp rating of engin paint.

 

[Badvmc]

Personaly, i choose brake Paint because of the colors available, i wanted Yello Paint and i just could not find any yello engine paint.

As for the heat resistance, unless you a planning to really punish your brakes (racing), engine paint should be fine.