RedLineShinka

First, has anyone done this easily enough? What product did you use?

Second... is there anyone out here in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago (far northwest, ahem) that's done it that would be willing to make an afternoon of it? I'll grill and provide beers...

As a final thought... I have an '05 Shinka with the "Black Cherry Mica" paint... I was thinking yellow or red caliper paint - reactions on that?

Thanks everyone.

JinDesu

iTrader: (2)

Most people prefer red/matching car color. Duplicolor makes high temp/caliper paints, you can just get that.

The procedure can be dug up around the forum, it's pretty simple.

05TouringRX8

My opinion - yellow against black cherry - yeck. Clear enough? LOL

If you are going to bother painting them, its because you want them to stand out - but not stand out in a bad way. I'm in the camp for red but some think that's too showy. Depending on your car color, especially blue in my opinion, color matching looks cool too. For my white, I think it would look kind of silly to color match. If course, with my white, yellow wouldn't be bad either, but I don't see it going well with black cherry.

Pico

iTrader: (2)

i'd go with a black paint. Duplicolor is alright-- its sets up pretty quick, its what i used and its holding up just fine.

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

I used duplicolor engine enamel. Its really easy..just spray the paint into a cup and then brush it on.

I would never spray it on or take my calipers completely off (requiring bleeding the brake system).

The easiest way is leaving them on and carefully brushing them IMO (my turned out professional).

JinDesu

iTrader: (2)

Why engine enamel? Is it more heat resistant than the brake caliper line Duplicolor has? Or just more color options?

There's another brand, VHT, that does high temp/caliper paints too. I know that they have a very limited color selection for caliper paints.

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

Color options. So far no problems, I used no primer because they didn't sell it where I went.

I painted them in dry, hot weather. I put three coats on each after letting each coat dry, so its definitely not brittle paint.

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

Also yea..the VHT is 900 degree whereas the duplicolor engine enamel is 500 degrees. But way less color diversity. Like I said..I haven't had any problems yet. I figured 500 degrees would be adequate for the calipers and brake shields.

JinDesu

iTrader: (2)

Not sure if you even need primer, but VHT has a solution system or something with primer.

I'll check the instructions on the Duplicolor/VHT when I go buy some.

RedLineShinka

So... any volunteers? It may be nice to have someone who's done it before, or is familiar with the process along when I go to pull wheels, etc...

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

A 2005 BCM Shinka DEMANDS black calipers.

G2 paint system recommended; available at TireRack and elsewhere.

You can paint them with or w/o removing the calipers, removing them being a bit easier since you don't have to mask as much.

You can easily do this without assistance.

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

Man if I can do it I guarantee you can =P

05TouringRX8

I'm curious how the brush painting looks vs. spray. But if it's as professional as advertised, that's what I would do. And, in that case, pulling the wheels would be the hard part. You shouldn't need any help.

Do you guys just jack each wheel up one at a time or is there something that can be done to do a whole side at a time? I have a motorcycle lift rated up to 1500 or 1800 lbs - probably not smart to use that on car huh?

Pico

iTrader: (2)

^^ Jack stands. First, You can do one side at a time with the jack stands or Second, Jack both L/R fronts hold with jack stands then do the same for the L/R rears when completely done Painting and replacing the wheels on the fronts. Make sure your on a flat surface and have something to chok the front wheels when the rears are up if you do the second way. Make sure you torque the lugs to 80-100lbs. IMO painting the calipers with a brush will produce better results- I've seen spray/brush methods-- and you really don't have the worry about masking if you brush.

I would not use a motorcycle stand

JinDesu

iTrader: (2)

Pretty sure you can just jack one side up at a time, but use a proper jack. I personally would prefer spray, as I am terrible with the brush. You can use the brush at the end to detail.

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

If you use the proper jack points you can jack up the front on the front-center crossmember by directly placing your floor jack under the center of the car.

You will need to drive it onto 2x4s (easy stuff lol) Then just throw the jack stands under each side of the frame and put the car down on them.

Then just go to the back with ur floor jack and jack up directly from the rear center onto the center of the rear differential. Then put ur jack stands on the back part of the frame.

Thats what I do. That way you don't have to jack up from 4 points, only 2. Much easier.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

I do the two main fore/aft jacks points as well, ultimately up on four jack stands. The rear center point, which is right on the differential fins, is very easy to locate.

The brush that comes with the G2 paint system works great. No brush strokes if you do a smooth pass at the end as you would for any painting job.

edit: I'll save you a search

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

word ya jus lettin it be known that you can jack up all sides from 2 points instead of 4. all the info is available on the forum but some of its buried a bit.

ecsw

I use duplicolor for caliper, red.

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/caliperaero.html

Rcriger

I just painted my calipers about 2 days ago. I just bought the Duplicolor calipher paint and went to a arts and crafts store and bought like a 8 dollar painting brush. One thats not too big but not to small at the same time. Just slowly brushed it on and took my time and came out perfect. Didn't have to take them off or any masking.

always.anthony

bronze with black rims, or black with bronze rims.

Ross_Dawg

iTrader: (2)

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-painting-brake-calipers-22567/

swoope

iTrader: (5)

this is very, very good advice. i have done it both ways..

the g2 does a much better job. looks better and lasts a long time if done right..

and black is the way to go.. you might pick up some stickers for the calipers from polak graphics.. to make them look better. this photo is from a very dirty wheel and brake caliper. but you get the idea..





beers

thawk97

I just did my calipers with the G2 kit and Polak's stickers. Turned out awesome, check out the pics. Also, I am in the NW suburbs of chicago

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Nice Racing Brake Sport rotors and [presumed] Hawk Ceramic pads as well!

(but the curb rash - oh the humanity)