how to paint calipers?

[SMH1970]

Another quick question which I can't seem to find a firm answer for.

I have new calipers to install for my disc brake swap, and I'm wondering if anyone could advise on the best way to paint them. Were they originally unpainted (should I just blast them with clearcoat) or do most people paint them to give them better protection? If paint, any suggestions on type and color (and should I use primer first, or just hit them with caliper paint)?

IMG_2481.jpg

I know this is likely pretty subjective, and everyone may have a different opinion, but I'd like to do them in a way that doesn't look too tacky. I was thinking a bright color to make them stand out, but black is probably better. Everything else on my front end is black (except the shiny new rotors and the yellow shocks )

IMG_2484.jpg

[sideoilerfe]

Boxwood green? Will you be able to see them through the wheels? I like dark Ford blue engine paint myself but whatever color you choose will look cool. I would clean them off first with brake cleaner as they might have oil on them already to prevent rust. I like the pictures! Looking good.

[SMH1970]

Boxwood green? Will you be able to see them through the wheels?

sorry I was unclear - I wasn't thinking Boxwood Green, but rather another color - either bright yellow/orange or something like that, or stock (whatever color that was). Thanks for the input - guess there are endless choices.

[DuckRyder]

I don’t think they were painted from the factory, most cars/trucks are not even now.

There are commercial caliper paint kits available... It is entirely an aesthetic choice, but I would tend toward something subdued like dark blue, silver, grey or black myself.

[Ranchero50]

I did the Duplicolor red on my British Racing Green XKR and they turned out very nice. Minimal prep and can be touched up with a cue tip.

[eggman918]

I did the exhaust housings on the turbos for my 4BT a while back started by glass beading them to clean bare metal then warmed them in an electric roaster that i picked up at a secondhand store to ~180*-200* and applied the first coat,of VHT FLAMEPROOF paint and then followed the directions and did 3 or 4 more coats. After letting it dry completely I baked them in the roaster for 2-3 hours at 375* so the paint could cure/set, I have fount that doing this with the high temp paints makes them much more durable and longer lasting..........

[BobbyFord]

I had mine zinc plated.

[vossy]

I had my calipers and my ibeams and dust plates powder coated... I think it was 200 dollars, and the guy sand blasted everything, and powdered the ibeams black, and the calipers red... It looks good.