Painting Brake Calipers Of A V35

[saif22]

Hi all,

I apologise if this topics has already been discussed before, but I couldn't find this topic in the forum among the hundreds of pages, given my time constraint and urgency.

I am thinking of painting my brake calipers professionally and wondering what would be the best option? Some mates suggested to get the dealer spray paint it with engine block paint that can withstand high temperatures. Others are saying that even using that paint, it will eventually flake off in a few months time if not a few weeks and might even cause problems in the brake disc (when the worn-off paint flakes get into the disk). The dealer who I got the car from, suggested that I get them painted and oven baked which will be a more permanent solution (and more expensive ofcourse). They also mentioned once the calipers are removed, they should be do a brake fluid service too, which I dont know if its really necessary. This would cost around $420.

Any help on this matter will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Nightcrawler]

As far as I am aware the best option is to remove the calipers, pop out the pistons and seals, then have them powdercoated or painted/oven baked with heatproof paint. Then buy some rebuild kits, and put new seals and lube back in before you refit them. And yes, it is a good idea given the age of the car to flush your brake fluid. This is a job you can easily do yourself - save yourself $420.

[saif22]

Thanks Nighcrawler, appreciate it! How are those caliper covers (made of ABS plastic) found on ebay? Is that a cheaper and a more hassle-free solution? My knowlegde of taking calipers off and oven baking them is highly limited. But it would be a good idea to start some DIY and save as well as learn

Also, my car came with 1 xenon HID bulb (top one), but the one below is halogen. If I want to change the halogen one to xenon, do I need to buy another HID xenon kit? Sorry, as you can see, I'm only a beginner when it comes to things like this.

Thanks again.

[sonicii]

Also, my car came with 1 xenon HID bulb (top one), but the one below is halogen. If I want to change the halogen one to xenon, do I need to buy another HID xenon kit? Sorry, as you can see, I'm only a beginner when it comes to things like this.

Thanks again.

The lower lamp is the High beam/fog light and is halogen from the factory. you could swap this out with a H4 HID retrofit kit, not sure of the legalities of it though. I imagine it may be a problem for the fog lights as they need to cut off quite low and the non-standard lamp will likely mess up this pattern.

If you don't use the fog lights, then it might be ok.

[saif22]

Thanks mate, much appreciated! How are those plastic caliper covers though? Any idea?

Edited June 2, 2014 by saif22

[manc01]

I had the covers for my Brembo brakes painted & changed from the standard gold colour to red which matches my car. The job was done by a mobile guy who was doing some touch ups on my car. 2 years later they still look perfect. He did not use any special paint or anything out of the ordinary from what I can gather.

[saif22]

I had the covers for my Brembo brakes painted & changed from the standard gold colour to red which matches my car. The job was done by a mobile guy who was doing some touch ups on my car. 2 years later they still look perfect. He did not use any special paint or anything out of the ordinary from what I can gather.

Mine doesn't have Brembo brakes, just the standard stock dull silver ones. i don't think it has any cover on it, just the caliper by itself. I will try just getting them spray painted with Caliper paint (found at super cheap auto) and if they do flake out a year later I can always go for the more expensive oven baked option. Cheers, mate!

[junkie]

I did the calipers on my s14 with VHT caliper paint, the stuff is awesome. 5 years on, still no peeling or discolouring, plus the spray pattern is very even and doesnt splatter, unlike the cheap stuff

First thing i did was strip them back with a dremel and a wire attachment, then carefully masked the pads, all the bolt heads at the back, bleed nipple, brake hose and disk/hub, plus the rest of the wheel arch and suspension. A good cleanup with wax and grease remover, then about 3 coats of silver, let it dry, followed by three coats of clear. The VHT stuff doesn't require primer and cures with the heat from your brakes

Its about $20 a can so not cheap, but one can of colour and one can of clear will do the job with plenty left over, more info here - http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/caliperpaint/

Edited June 2, 2014 by junkie

[saif22]

I did the calipers on my s14 with VHT caliper paint, the stuff is awesome. 5 years on, still no peeling or discolouring, plus the spray pattern is very even and doesnt splatter, unlike the cheap stuff

First thing i did was strip them back with a dremel and a wire attachment, then carefully masked the pads, all the bolt heads at the back, bleed nipple, brake hose and disk/hub, plus the rest of the wheel arch and suspension. A good cleanup with wax and grease remover, then about 3 coats of silver, let it dry, followed by three coats of clear. The VHT stuff doesn't require primer and cures with the heat from your brakes

Its about $20 a can so not cheap, but one can of colour and one can of clear will do the job with plenty left over, more info here - http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/caliperpaint/

That sounds great. $20 is nothing compared to the $70 quote I got to oven bake and paint each caliper. Thanks mate.

[Rockit]

There is plenty of info here on this topic, although it may not be in the V-Series specific area.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/97215-painting-your-brake-calipers/page-1?hl=+duplicolour.

I recently did mine the duplicolour way and am most satisfied. Of course the cost only remains cheap if you are able to do the job yourself. The requirements are outlined in the link. I didn't remove mine from the car, and managed ok. Be sure that you are able to properly bleed the system if you choose to remove the calipers. If you search this topic, it will reveal that there are those who get into trouble trying.

Although the cost wasn't much, and there doesn't seem to be a lot to it, the job proved to be time consuming.

I chose the crimson red colour with 2 coats of that over 3 of the base silver. The calipers ended up looking very similar in colour to the tail light lense. The more top coat applied, the deeper the colour will become.

[Nightcrawler]

I would have thought you would want to leave those hideous (and crap) stock brake calipers black, so as to not draw attention to them .... I assumed you were talking about repainting Brembos.

[saif22]

I would have thought you would want to leave those hideous (and crap) stock brake calipers black, so as to not draw attention to them .... I assumed you were talking about repainting Brembos.

No mate, just the stock ugly calipers. I thought giving them a red coat or the plastic caliper covers will make them look nice. Now you got me thinking otherwise :S.

[saif22]

There is plenty of info here on this topic, although it may not be in the V-Series specific area.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/97215-painting-your-brake-calipers/page-1?hl=+duplicolour.

I recently did mine the duplicolour way and am most satisfied. Of course the cost only remains cheap if you are able to do the job yourself. The requirements are outlined in the link. I didn't remove mine from the car, and managed ok. Be sure that you are able to properly bleed the system if you choose to remove the calipers. If you search this topic, it will reveal that there are those who get into trouble trying.

Although the cost wasn't much, and there doesn't seem to be a lot to it, the job proved to be time consuming.

I chose the crimson red colour with 2 coats of that over 3 of the base silver. The calipers ended up looking very similar in colour to the tail light lense. The more top coat applied, the deeper the colour will become.

Thanks for this post mate. Quite helpful. My only concern is that the paint may peel off after a few months. This is what a few of my mates had to tell me. They used high heat paint and it starting flaking after a year or so. I won't have the time to do it myself though; getting the dealer to do it for me. But they advised that its better to oven bake/paint than spray. To oven bake pain its $70 per caliper including labour. I wonder how much labour would be if i ask them to simply spray paint.

[Nightcrawler]

Whenever I see a Falcodore with the stock brakes painted a bright colour I always wonder why the hell they bothered ... it's like waving a flag saying 'look at me, I have stock povo brakes and am happy about it'. Like I said, I would have thought stealth is the best option here When they are black and or dirty you can't even see them.

Or, if you love your car and value your safety, toss the stock pos brakes and buy some Brembos/Akebonos - there are heaps of sets around and they are cheaper than ever. They work AMAZINGLY and look great. THEN feel free to paint them some outlandish colour and show them off :D It was one of the first things I bought for my auto V35 and have never looked back.

[Ben C34]

Dude.

Don't pay a dealer to paint your calipers.

That's such a waste of money.

And I'm sure they will tell you it costs 100s more once they remove the calipers to rebuild them.

Surely you are able to think of something better to spend your cash on?

[saif22]

Whenever I see a Falcodore with the stock brakes painted a bright colour I always wonder why the hell they bothered ... it's like waving a flag saying 'look at me, I have stock povo brakes and am happy about it'. Like I said, I would have thought stealth is the best option here When they are black and or dirty you can't even see them.

Or, if you love your car and value your safety, toss the stock pos brakes and buy some Brembos/Akebonos - there are heaps of sets around and they are cheaper than ever. They work AMAZINGLY and look great. THEN feel free to paint them some outlandish colour and show them off :D It was one of the first things I bought for my auto V35 and have never looked back.

haha,,,I agree. Any how idea how much a set of Brembos or Akebonos would cost? What would be the best place to get them? I heard they could be $5000 brand new :S

[saif22]

Dude.

Don't pay a dealer to paint your calipers.

That's such a waste of money.

And I'm sure they will tell you it costs 100s more once they remove the calipers to rebuild them.

Surely you are able to think of something better to spend your cash on?

yea now I'm starting to think that maybe I should just leave the stock calipers alone and take Nightcrawler's advice and upgrade to Brembos when I have saved some money instead.

[GeeDog]

Any how idea how much a set of Brembos or Akebonos would cost? What would be the best place to get them?

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/443932-fs-v35-various-items-for-sale/

[Nightcrawler]

^^^ these. Or there is a set of Brembos that has been sittin on Ebay for a fair while (nowhere near the condition of the Akebonos and don't include dics/brake lines):

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nissan-V35-Skyline-Brembo-Brake-Calipers-Set-Of-4-Front-Rear-Parts-Wrecking-/290767489551?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43b317ca0f

[saif22]

Thanks guys for all the posts. I now think there is no point in painting the ugly stock calipers of my V35. Until I can find good pair of second hand brembos, I think I will opt for the plastic covers found on ebay which are quite cheap and no need to paint.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150775893606?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150775893606?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649