Painting calipers.... Your thoughts?

[Scotticus]

I have a black 2005 sport GT, tinted, w/ clear bra on the front, and I'm thinking of having my brake calipers painted.

Are there any colours that are best? I was thinking red (it would match the car nicely), but I heard that painted calipers are irritating because they get dirty with brake dust. Is this true?

Also, although I know my way around the very basics of car maintenance, I don't think that I'm skilled enough to paint calipers myself. How hard is it to do for someone with zero experience? Also, how much $ would it cost to have them professionally painted, and where would I go?

I was thinking of leaving my car as it is, but after seeing some of the cars on this board, it's like "Damn.... There is so much more I could do to this car"

Thanks!

[sauga_kid]

Painting calipers is really simple, just pick up the duplicolour kit from Crappy Tire and away you go. If you don't want to do it yourself, check out Simply Tire:

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=24747

[b]

Silver that is what I did.

[LockOut]

I personally went with black. It's subtle, simple, and doesn't draw attention away from the car.

[Scotticus]

Thanks, great advice.

I was going to do it myself, but I took at Simply Tire's offer, and it sounds good. I'm heading in there later today.

I think I'm going with red.

[allen@simplytire.com]

Thanks !!! Hope you enjoy them !!!

[mazda lover]

Thanks, great advice.

I was going to do it myself, but I took at Simply Tire's offer, and it sounds good. I'm heading in there later today.

I think I'm going with red.

how much $$$$

[allen@simplytire.com]

how much $$$$

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=24747

[BETRTHNU]

Thanks, great advice.

I was going to do it myself, but I took at Simply Tire's offer, and it sounds good. I'm heading in there later today.

I think I'm going with red.

When I left I think you had decided on red. Is that what you went with?

[WLS ZMZM]

can't beat red calipers on a black car.. thats what I did... had Allen paint them for me...

[allen@simplytire.com]

When I left I think you had decided on red. Is that what you went with?

Yes, he went with red, but he's coming back today so I can redo some of them....

[Scotticus]

Great job, Allen. I appreciate the extra effort, and my calipers look great. Awesome work!!

[Mike]

any pics?

[S.F.W.]

any pics?
yes, look here:http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=24747

[RallyPlaya]

Calipers are a great mod especially if you have rims that show them well i kept it subtle and went with black then i picked up mleblond decals to finish it off a great mod for the Car IMO.... BTW Allen did my Calipers amazingly truly worth the 70$ i believed it costs now ..... and obviously over time the calipers get dirty and he colour slowly wears but you can always reapply the coat

[btown-mazda]

I got mine painted black from Allen as well and paint still looks fresh after a quick spray with the hose.

[allen@simplytire.com]

I got mine painted black from Allen as well and paint still looks fresh after a quick spray with the hose.

Thats the key... if you just hose them down every once in awhile, they will remain fresh for longer...

[Cardinal Fang]

Got mine done today in Gold. The colour has a really nice metallic appearance. Can't wait for my decals to come in.

Thanks very much Allen.

[cwp_sedan]

Got mine done today in Gold. The colour has a really nice metallic appearance. Can't wait for my decals to come in.

Thanks very much Allen.

PICS!!!

[allen@simplytire.com]

PICS!!!

LOL...


Got mine done today in Gold. The colour has a really nice metallic appearance. Can't wait for my decals to come in.

Thanks very much Allen.

You should have told me, I would have put on ones I have here in stock...

[oni]

PICS!!!

agreed! :pop

[allen@simplytire.com]

agreed! :pop

Guys, click on the link in my sig for painted calipers... there are lots of pics there....

[Scotticus]

Classic newbie question: How the hell do I post pictures?? Is there an 'attach' button I'm missing? I'm on a macbook, and the cutting/pasting isn't working.

I'm glad that I went with the red calipers. Contrasted against the black of the car, they really stand out, but not enough to distract from the overall appearance of the car. I'll post some pics soon!

I'm actually surprised how much painted calipers improve the appearance of the car. It's a very subtle change, but a very effective one.

I've always said that the rims/calipers on a car are like the teeth on a person; they're not 100% necessary to make the car/person look good, but once they're set right, it damn well helps the overall appearance!! :chuckle

[BETRTHNU]

you have to host the pics to an online website, then type the link where the pics are hosted and you'll have your pics posted.

[bunchi]

when painting your calipers, would you do the back of the brake pads too? I just did mine and I masked the back of the brake pad so that only the caliper is painted.

[doughboyr6]

i believe its sprayed entirely from the jobs i've seen.

[allen@simplytire.com]

when painting your calipers, would you do the back of the brake pads too? I just did mine and I masked the back of the brake pad so that only the caliper is painted.

No, the back of the pad gets painted here... remember, we're working with limited time here....

[bunchi]

No, the back of the pad gets painted here... remember, we're working with limited time here....


thanks :) i realized i just had too much time on my hands lol

[sp3GT]

Just wondering since the price is $60 - 80.

Does that mean calipers painted with the winter - summer switch over deal were not done the same? I can already see paint coming off my rear calipers.

[bunchi]

maybe your rear calipers were not that clean compared to the fronts when you had them painted.. or you had less coating at the back.... or the condition of your rear calipers could have had rust? lots of possibilities... IMO it's better to have the calipers painted while it's new, you have less contaminants.

[LockOut]

maybe your rear calipers were not that clean compared to the fronts when you had them painted.. or you had less coating at the back.... or the condition of your rear calipers could have had rust? lots of possibilities... IMO it's better to have the calipers painted while it's new, you have less contaminants.
Well not everyone has this luxury anymore... :chuckle

[bunchi]

Well not everyone has this luxury anymore... :chuckle

right... more like for the ones who just got their cars :chuckle

so all you people who want to paint your calipers, don't wait! you don't want to paint those when your calipers have become so dirty and rusty before you want to paint them. not only for looks, but i think it protects your calipers from rust too... i may be wrong, but that's just what i think

[mleblond]

you can always get your calipers sand blasted and powdercoated at any time $$$$$

[bunchi]

that wil be the best way to do it, even if it's new.... but then... $$$$$!!! :chuckle

[allen@simplytire.com]

Just wondering since the price is $60 - 80.

Does that mean calipers painted with the winter - summer switch over deal were not done the same? I can already see paint coming off my rear calipers.

Bring it by, I will redo them for free.