WHealy

Painting the hubs … I just don’t get it.

Sorry for my ignorance here, but I’m so tired of my rusted hubs and I just don’t get how I can paint them. I’ve read a few threads on the subject and I still didn’t get my questions answered. I’ve painted my calipers, but the hubs confound me.

My questions are.

Exactly what should I use to sand the existing rust off? I’ve seen some stuff about a wheel for a drill but what exactly am I looking for?

How do I get under the calipers to paint that part of the hub? I assume on the front I can rotate the hub after I get the majority of it painted. However, on the rear, will I be able to rotate it? Do I have to leave the emergency break off and out of gear to accomplish this? Then of course I’m concerned how to stabilize the car to prevent it from rolling. I also assume that I can’t remove the calipers/brakes as I’ve never done this before but understand the process to be somewhat complicated.

Sorry for the inexperienced questions, but any help would be appreciated.

TIA

Sputnik

I would remove the brake rotors to do this.

Check the manual for how to do remove the brake rotors, and use chocks under the wheels to keep the car from rolling (you can get some at an auto store, or use scrap 2x4s).

You can use medium (100) or fine (150) sandpaper to get the rust off, and wash the area with soap and water (don't let the rotor sit around after sanding before painting). Don't get paint on the working or braking surface (the area where the pads contact the rotor), and don't get paint on the hub face (where the wheel mates up with the rotor).

Give the rotors a quick shot of brake cleaner after you put them back on the car (before you put the wheel back on).

---jps

XcelR8

Painting the rotors is an easy way to finish off the caliper job.

Remove the rotor from the car. Fronts have two gold screws that hold them on and the rears just slip off.

1) Spray them down with brake cleaner and whip them off.
2) Using 1/4" pin-stripping tape, mask off the inside edge of the rotor were pad makes contact with the rotor.
3) Use masking tape to conver the rest of the rotor.
4) I used a wire brush to clean off the rust, then wipe again with brake cleaner and a clean cloth.
5) Using hi-temp engine paint, spray the rotors in light even coats.

Let them dry, peel off tape, reinstall and enjoy your work.

Look in D.Y.I Forum under the The Tech Garage for a tread titled Painted Brake Calipers. I have several pictures of the project there and the results.

Will try to insert a like, but my not work...

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22567

WHealy

Anyone have any word of wisdom about removing the calipers? I assume those are in the way of removing the rotors. Angin, I have very little knowledge in this area ...

TIA

XcelR8

The calipers are connected to a bracket by two (believe they were 14mm) bolts on the back side. Just remove them and then slide the caliper off. Make sure no one touches the brakes while the caliper are off. Other wise the pads will be pushed together and you will have a hell of a time getting them back over the rotor.

WHealy

Sputnik & XcelR8,

Thank you both. I managed to get the caliper off without too much issues. However, I could not budge the screws in the front calipers with anything I tried. I gave up for now. Any advise on getting these loose would be apprecited.

XcelR8

Break them loose while you still have the capliper on. Make sure all four calipers are in place, then have someone hold the brakes on. This will hold the caliper in place. Those screws were in tight, but if you use a big screw driver that fits properly, you should be able to get them loose. It you can't, put channel locks on the plastic handle...push in with one hand and use the channel locks as leverage to turn. You will probable ruin the screwdriver doing this, so use one that has a lifetime warrenty (Craftsman) and then take it back for a replacement. They love me

WHealy

XcelR8,

Again, thanks for your help. I managed to get the rotor still in my first attempt. I bought the biggest phillips screwdriver I could find. I even attached a vicegrips to it to get leverage. Everything held together, but no dice. I did partially strip the screw. Both of them., Decided to quit while I was behind!

mlino01

You could try an impact driver my prefered way of removing stuck fasteners.

WHealy

I went to Sears hoping to find a phillips "socket" that I coudl put on my breaker bar. I figured I'd get enough torque then, but wasn't sure I'd get it back on. I saw the impact wench socets as it looked like it has something close. Decided not to try my luck with that purchase. My wife was already looking funny at the removed caliper! Thanks though.

Sputnik

If there is any corrosion, shooting it with WD-40 and letting it soak for a good while can make a difference too.

---jps

XcelR8

Wow, mine were tight but only one gave me a problem that the screwdriver/channel locks were needed. I figured the reason they used the plated screws was to prevent corrosion. I would give it a shot though. I am currently at a loss...