I am trying to paint my calipers, so I went out this morning thinking no big deal, I've read these posts, how hard could it be?
however, I got outside, jacked the car up, took the tire off, and realized my brakes were locked on the rotor(oh btw was doing back wheels). So i thought, ok, I'll take off the parking brake(car was off in gear) and hold the brakes and slowly let them out, to be safe. As I let the brakes out, heard creaking noise and was like... no... ha so I put the parking brake back on. (I am only using a jack, not stands because I guess we don't have stands anymore?) either way. the brake is locked on the rotor like it should be. so i can't get the rotot off. I also don't know how to loosen the caliper? there are two big bolts on the back behind the rotor that they connect to, my first thought was loosen these, but they weren't coming off. I put everything back together because I wasn't sure and was not about to ruin my brakes or have the car fall or something over painting haha....

So anyone who has done this can you help me out?

Also, if I was not clear enough, please ask me to further clarify, I'd be happy to.

Go buy jack stands. They are inexpensive and provide a tremendous amount of safety!

After you get your car on four jack stands then check out the DIY section on this board on what to do.


Basically you need the following supplies:

1. Brake cleaner
2. Wire brush
3. High heat brake paint
4. Jack stands
5. Jack

Go buy jack stands. They are inexpensive and provide a tremendous amount of safety!

After you get your car on four jack stands then check out the DIY section on this board on what to do.


Basically you need the following supplies:

1. Brake cleaner
2. Wire brush
3. High heat brake paint
4. Jack stands
5. Jack

Well okay. I probably will do that. but either way, I need to know exactly how to get the pads off and the calipers loose. My first thought is, if I jack the car up on stands and release the brakes, will the pads be loose? I assume they will. Anyways, and how do I get the caliper's loose in order to remove rotors?

This can all be done without having the bleed the brakes or anything correct?

If you are trying to paint the calipers on the car (not recommended personally); then you don't remove anything - just mask and paint with the brush...

If you want a nicer job; pull the calipers off - and then clean, sand a prep caipers before paint. It is not hard - my wife did her own...




And if you take em off - you will have to bleed the whoel system - get a vacuum bleeder from Auto Parts Store.

hmmmm well by taking them off I meant like on post 3 of this:

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=22567&highlight=paint+calipers

I just don't know how to get to that stage. I am going to paint them exactly as done on that thread, but don't know how to get the calipers loose and the rotors off...

Ah ok - not my recommendation.... BUT

There are two bolts on the BACK of the caliper; the fronts have an allen head bolt - and the rears have just a regular bolt (12mm I think).

Pull the bolts out and the caliper comes right off.

Ahh - forgot about the Bracket on the fronts.

Here you go man.

Ok now when I do this I'm assuming the brakes have to be not clamped on the rotor, mine were.. I think that will change when I put them on stands. But I looked and on the caliper there are two big hex bolts that look like they screw into the rotor. Like the threaded side goes out, towards the outside of the car. These need to come off?

I am not sure where these bolts you are talking about are ( I started on the rears so those are the ones I would have seen.) I guess to make it easier to explain to me, there is what I consider the top of the caliper, which is the part farthest from the rotor closest to the fender of the car. are they on that side? or the bottom?

Like in this post:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=22567&highlight=paint+calipers

that bolt labeled #1?
if that's what you are talking about, how can I get the rest off, like the part of the caliper that is still on the rotor... like that "wide 'u'" shaped part of the caliper...

sorry I'm so hard to deal with hahaha

FWIW I did not take off my calipers when I did mine and they came out great.

You do not need to have the emergency brake engaged with the car up on jack stands.


Leave the car in gear and engage the emergency brake
Loosen the lugs nuts on all four wheels
Put something behind the wheels to prevent the car from rolling
Put the car in neutral and release the emergency brake
Jack up the car and place jack stands underneath the car

I added pics.... should make life a lot easier - rears will be "stuck" if you have the e-brake on...take the e-brake off (lower the handle and all should be well.)

If the ROTOR is stuck - siezed on the wheel hub.... get a rubber mallet and hit the hat a few times.

Don't forget to take the screws out of the rotor.

Ahh - forgot about the Bracket on the fronts.

Here you go man.
ahh thank you!

those bolts #3 and #8 I believe in the rear picture. Those were the ones I was worried about. Now at what point will I have to bleed the brakes. I don't want to do that so what causes that to have to be done?

If you leave the pads alone; and don't mess with the calipers (rear) e-brake connection... then you won't have to bleed 'em.

But you should.... brake fluid should be flushed every now and again.

If you wanna leave 3 and just take 8's off; that should work too.

hmmm... well how can I not mess e-brake connection? haha I have no idea how to flush brake fluid or any of that... so I don't want to get stuck somewhere not having a clue....

Who knew painting could be this hard... haha

Are you reading my posts :)

I think you should take the easier route here and not mess with your brakes. If you choose to take off the calipers then it would be a good idea for you to work with someone that has experience.

Are you reading my posts :)

I think you should take the easier route here and not mess with your brakes. If you choose to take off the calipers then it would be a good idea for you to work with someone that has experience.

Hmm..I kinda agree.... so what do you suggest? not doing it at all? or using a brush?

If you can find someone to work with or if you are quick learner then doing what Kane describes will be a great learning experience.

I painted mine with a brush. Prepping is key before painting.

well I bought the aresol can stuff. Now you can paint with that... but this is very strange. I took it out back on a styrofoam plate and sprayed it and got one of those foam craft brushes to see how the brush stroke would look and such... but the paint dissolved the brush and the plate... haha it is duplicolor caliper paint..... soo... haha ya... brush may not be so good...

If you wanna leave them on - just mask everything; trade tape for time and work...

the solvent in the paint eats foam... so don't use a foam plate or a foam brush. Find a solvent safe brush at any hardware store and you're in business.
Since it sounds like you've never painted anything before I would suggest painting a few throw away parts first cause you won't be a happy camper if you get runs and overspray all over your calipers and car.

What have you already purchased for this? If not much then go buy a brake paint kit. It should come with paint, cleaner, paint brush and wire brush.

What have you already purchased for this? If not much then go buy a brake paint kit. It should come with paint, cleaner, paint brush and wire brush.

Ya I bought it. It was like 6 bucks.

I've painted before, but nothing as... irreversable... as this. But ya, I'll get one of those brushes today and do it tomorrow...

I just don't want it to look like painted stuff generally does, you know like with a bunch of streaks and brush marks.... any suggestions?

You are not painting over a smooth surface and the paint will level itself out enough that you should not notice any brush strokes.

I used a brush. Hear are close up pics when I did mine:

http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=1749824&postcount=1
http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=1749827&postcount=2

You are not painting over a smooth surface and the paint will level itself out enough that you should not notice any brush strokes.

I used a brush. Hear are close up pics when I did mine:

http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=1749824&postcount=1
http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=1749827&postcount=2

Wow thats a really good job. I'm assuming you took all of that part to get to it. I'm impressed, and now reassured that there won't be streaks. Did you sand it at all before? How did you prep it?

I'm assuming you took all of that part to get to it. I'm impressed, and now reassured that there won't be streaks. Did you sand it at all before? How did you prep it?

wow, you're really not reading any of his posts are you. :banghead:

wow, you're really not reading any of his posts are you. :banghead:


Yes I forgot, the wire brush and brake cleaner.. hmm okay. Well I am going to start this tomorrow so I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Okay. So I did the rear calipers today. My back is killing me, worse pain than ever (I am only 16, I have terrible back problems :'( ). I will probably tackle the fronts tomorrow. I did the rears first because I figure they are smaller than the front ones so if I mess up it will be less noticeable. I spent about as much time taping as painting... I am very pleased with the result, not many issues with paint going where it wasn't supposed to. I painted with a brush, I bought duplicolor brake caliper paint, and sprayed it in a tin and painted with a horse hair brush that was very small. I posted a whole new album and took pictures throughout the whole project. Here's a link:

http://www.rx8club.com/album.php?albumid=565