Caliper Painting HOW-TO

[starscream]

Caliper Painting How-To/Tips/Advice

Well this is my How-To, Tips and Advice for those thinking about caliper painting. I decided to try a bit of a different approach then the normal way (getting the brush on stuff, and a different type of
paint too). So here we go!

Time Required:
8-10 hours to clean/prep/paint
10 hours to dry by air, or oven bake + 6 hours to dry

Materials Needed:
Sandpaper (180 and 300 grit)
Rubber Gloves
Masking Tape
Painters Tape
Wire Brush
Generic Degreaser/Cleaner (Aluminum SAFE! more on this later)
Brake Cleaner w/ ABS Sensor safe x 2 can
Duplicolor MetalCast Ground Coat x 1 can
Duplicolor MetalCast Color Coat x 1 can
Duplicolor Clear Engine Enamel x 1 can
Scrubber Brush
Bucket
Dishwashing Soap
Lots of newspaper
Some cardboard boxes sliced open
Screw drivers, Rachets, Razor Blades
Glasses/Safety Goggles
Drill
Mask for breathing

Cost:
This is roughly what i spent (trying to also ballpark some of the stuff i already had, so you guys know how much it would cost you if you were to get everything)
~100 bucks
(the paint was 10 bucks each can and i bought 2 ground, 2 color and 1 clear).
HOWEVER you really only need 1 of each (i didnt even use the 2nd cans)

Instructions:
1. Make sure you set apart a FULL DAY 8-10 hours to do this PROPERLY and also IF able to 10hours or more to air dry, or if you have a oven to bake it in, 6hours-ish.

2. Gather all your materials
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper1.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper1.jpg

3. Remember to LOOSEN the lugnuts of the wheels BEFORE jacking up the car, use a Torque bar if needed
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper2.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper2.jpg

4. Put some cardboard boxes under your brakes so when you start to clean and whatever all that crap doesnt endup everywhere
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper3.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper3.jpg

5. Clean the caliper this is the method i used
a) Soak it in degreaser (DO NOT USE SIMPLEGREEN! Incase some of you didnt know its harmful to aluminium, i am sure you can water it down a bit and it should be ok, but a good friend told me about this and i looked it up and there it was dont let it sit on aluminum)
b) Then soak it again but use the scrubber and get all the loose rust/dust/crap off ** use the gloves so you dont messup your soft delicate hands ;)
c) Then use brake cleaner and clean the caliper (i did this twice)
d) Then i let it all dry (brake cleaner allows it to dry fast because it basically evaporates and the CT Pro stuff doesnt leave much if any residue)
e) Then take the drill and wire brush and go to town on the caliper, be careful of the rubber seals you dont wanna grind those, and clean off the calipers rust as much as you can) ** Remember to have the
mask on you DO NOT want to be breathing that shit in)
f) Then take the sandpaper starting with the lower grit and move to the higher grit and go over everything with that and get to the small parts the wire brush couldnt do. I had 180 and then 300 and it was
all ready!
g) Clean it again with the brake cleaner
h) Clean it with Warm Soapy water and let it air dry (should take like 30 ish minutes)

REARS BEFORE
http://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper13.jpg

REARS AFTER
http://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper15.jpg

6. Do the same on the other calipers (FWIW: i did both fronts at once, then the Rears. I did it this way because a) i wanted to test the paint and how it would go on the caliper, and also because during the
drying process after the ground coat you need to allow 30-40 minutes for it to dry before the color coat, so i opted to use that time to start prepping the rears so i dont go on a frenzy looking at my watch
every 2 minutes)
http://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper5.jpg

7. Mask off all parts you DONT want paint. Use the painters tape on the PAINT of your car since its less 'gummy' and use the masking tape on metal/brake stuff (for me it adhered better). Also make sure you
mask off all the stuff properly, this is where its VERY tedious and you need to cover essential stuff (caliper sliders, bleeding screws, parts of the hub/rotor/ etc etc). My advice/issue here is i decided to
do this JUST before a brake change (rotor and pads/lines). HOWEVER i did not let it try 100% So there was some flaking nad what not, however i will be touching them up and i'll post on that later. Also doing
it this way you dont worry as much about mucking up your current rotors and pads because you'll be changing them. So both ways theres a plus and minus
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper6.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper6.jpg

8. I did 1 ground coat, then waited 10 minutes did another then waited 10 then another. 3 ground coats in all
Ground Coat 1
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper7.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper7.jpg
Ground Coat 2
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper8.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper8.jpg
Ground Coat 3
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper9.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper9.jpg

9. Then have a 30-40 minute break. Go start the rears, OR have some food :D YAY!

10. Apply color coat 1, wait 10 minutes, apply color coat 2 wait 10 minutes and then color coat 3 and allow 1 hourish to dry.
Color Coat 1
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper10.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper10.jpg
Color Coat 2
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper11.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper11.jpg
Color Coat 3
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper12.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper12.jpg

11. Apply any decals you want on the Caliper. I opted to put on some curved 'Mazdaspeed' stickers on. now REMEMBER TO WAIT before you put on the clear enamel. I didnt wait long enough and on 1 side when is
tarted to spray i had some run onto my sticker (lucky i had a spare nad was able to pull that one off and apply it later). It is CRITICAL to allow the color coat to dry properly before applying the clear or
you will run into the running paint/melting paint sorta issue that i had. (luckily i caught it early and stopped).
http://mazdaspeednation.com/howto/calipers/caliper14.jpghttp://www.laleetsgarage.com/howto/calipers/caliper14.jpg

12. Then apply the clear coat, wait 10 minutes apply again, wait 10 minutes apply again, and then wait another 10 and apply again. 4 coats in total.

13. Your all set! Let it dry and your ready to rock! Remember as i said before allow it to dry properly. Then becareful putting your rim on (unfortunately i was not and scuffed it a bit :()

14. Enjoy the look

NOTES:
Remember to use gloves and masks. You dont want that crap on your skin, and you dont want to be breathing any of that crap. Also ALLOW LOTS OF TIME and its all in the prep work and waiting for the coats to
dry. Rushing this will definately have undesired results. Have fun with this, and take your time to clean everything and relube it too if you want to since your down all around that area. If your waiting
between coats a good thing to do is clean the inside of your rims/wheels gives you something to do and not keep looking at the time. I am hopeful that after i touchup the scuffs and chips i have that i can
try to see how durable it is in a powerwash. Again this is a bit of a different paint that i used so lets see how it lasts, i personally like the metallic flaked look, but how durable is my only concern
right now. However you can use regular caliper paint and just where i have the metalcast paint directions use whatever product you haves' instructions.

Also for those that want to know, i got the Mazdaspeed caliper decals from the TM3 Groupbuy they had on it. The GB is now done, but i am sure they will have another.

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

[starscream]

Close up of Caliper

http://mazdaspeednation.com/pics/caliper1.jpg
How the car looks as a whole
http://mazdaspeednation.com/pics/mspmay1.jpg

[sumrandomguy]

excellent write up!
need pix of how it looks after u put on the rims!

[MS MSP]

or, pay $60 and have it done at Simply Tire.

They advertise on the TM3 board.

[iJay]

This should be in the how to section!
Wicked write up I have been planning this for a while now.

Down in Trinidad me and my cousin did it on his pick up truck, took about 2 hours.


Get favorite drink (Carib in this case)
Go to the gas station and pay 63 cents a litre
jack up car
clean calipers with gas
suspend car up with 2 upside down pots
paint with brush, make sure to get good satururation
put rim back on
drop car when finished.
the the time your done step 8 we had a ncie buzz going on and 3/4 of the case was gone!

[iJay]

or, pay $60 and have it done at Simply Tire.

They advertise on the TM3 board.

Where is this place? do you have the contact info? how long do they take?

[Cocco]

^ allen road and finch.



http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=23623

[iJay]

Wicked
jsut called,

only thing is why does his process take 45 minutes? willt his shit just flake off?

[y2jay]

Excellent write up!

For the others, just be sure that if you are not swapping out pads to REMOVE them before application.

[Marleymar]

Great how to write up bro its seems others have lost sight of the fact it was a DIY HOW TO not an opportunity to advertise for where to go to get it done. Great details and so on .. Ask an officer to move it to the HOW TO section minus all the other junk

[Kocakola]

Moved.

[Mp5_ToFu]

Did you sit your car on 4 jackstands since you worked on both front and back at the same time?

[starscream]

Great how to write up bro its seems others have lost sight of the fact it was a DIY HOW TO not an opportunity to advertise for where to go to get it done. Great details and so on .. Ask an officer to move it to the HOW TO section minus all the other junk

Yeah I hear ya Mar, Thanks for the good words. There actually is a difference in how the other dude and i do it however. Like i said i used different paint (that metallic stuff). Looks sweet IMO. Plus i took my time and tried to do it 100%. But knowing this now, i think i could do all the prep and stuff in 1/2 the time.

Did you sit your car on 4 jackstands since you worked on both front and back at the same time?

Yes sir i did have it on 4 jack stands. What i did was i had the front on jack stands first. Then when i went to do the rears. THEN jacked up the rear. put the jackstands, and also left the jack inplace but like 1/2 inch lower so it wasnt touching buttttttt just incase ;)

[MS MSP]

its seems others have lost sight of the fact it was a DIY HOW TO not an opportunity to advertise for where to go to get it done.

I was simply stating that if you wanted it done, and didn't have 10 hours to spend, there was another option.

Excellent how to FWIW

[Marleymar]

^ I understand that my concern is someone took the time to put something together showing HOW TO DIY and without saying Great info your saying Or pay this place to get it done. For one second recognize the work and time and just give the guy a pat on the back for effort thats all I meant, before offering up the other solution

[Mp5_ToFu]

As someone else mentioned, I'd love to see pics with the rims on :D
I'll most likely be using this how-to next summer when I decide to re-do my callipers... even though they're currently chipping away form the winter beating... Don't have the time right now :S

Good job!

Edit: I noticed the metalcast paint was only 500F temp rating (was looking at it while working.... :|) as opposed to VHT which has a rating of 1500F. How hot do the callipers tend to get? Is it pushing the 500 range? or is it lower than that and 1500F is just way overkill.

[red99pro]

great tape up. foudn that useful. after cleaning, that front one was already painted silver!

[The Destroyer]

Excellent write up Laleet. I'm going to attempt this tomorrow but using the Duplicolor kit with the brush on paint. Hope it turns out as well as yours did. Thanks again!

[starscream]

updated 2nd post with a closeup and stuff

[Mp5_ToFu]

nice. they look amazing dude.

[1MAZDA]

very nice work just need to see how they hold up.

[starscream]

i think they will last..but hey time will tell... looks awesome IMO.

[prot3g3]

looks super good. i like how the rims and the rotors kinda match. pro!

[starscream]

edited...added cost.

[tiffers]

^ since you have extra and you're such a pro... I think you should do mine... lol :p






j/k

[starscream]

^ since you have extra and you're such a pro... I think you should do mine... lol :p
j/k

for a slight cost... maybe ;)

[tiffers]

^ lol

[Shasta]

Fantastic looking, great job.

[squall458]

Where can I find the Duplicolor Clear Engine Enamel? Is that the exact name? Couldnt find it at CT but there were so many different kinds I probably glossed over it. Awesome results!

EDIT: This is what gave your calipers that shiny and glossy look right? Its clear so I can spray it on my silver calipers. Already painted but not glossy.

[starscream]

Where can I find the Duplicolor Clear Engine Enamel? Is that the exact name? Couldnt find it at CT but there were so many different kinds I probably glossed over it. Awesome results!

EDIT: This is what gave your calipers that shiny and glossy look right? Its clear so I can spray it on my silver calipers. Already painted but not glossy.

Its literally called Duplicolor Engine Enamel (in clear color). They have it at CT but sometimes you have to hunt for it.

Also the clear coat DOES NOT give it the shiny look. The metalcast gives it the flake metallic look, the clearcoat was there to just protect. I mean it gives a BIT of luster and shine, but no where close to the actual metalcast paint i used.

[ProDJtege]

Partsource tends to be awesome at having all these Duplicolor (and other brands) paints and chemicals. I picked up a can of primer and clearcoat from them. Unfrotunately they don't tend to carry much of mazda's sparkling black colour.

[CulRidr]

Pretty nice how-to indeed, but I would change one thing: NEVER use a torque wrench to LOOSEN bolts...use a breaker bar if anything, but NEVER a torque bar.

Calipers look great, and I know I need to redo mine after all the bleeding I had to do when I installed my SS lines :)

[lowpro2002]

did my calipers tonight with VHT paint, didnt want anything too flashy just clean, dont mind my car also, its spitting rain so i didnt wash it

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2569200012_33ec596b59.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2569197698_736061b621.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2569196486_25750ba386.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2569192682_b8e1d766d1.jpg?v=0

[dead_cactus]

^^ Looks great. Good work.

[squall458]

Any close up shots? Kinda hard to see your excellent craftsmenship!

[lowpro2002]

lol i will take more shots tonight, i did it the same way starscream did by taping the whole rotor off, ill try to take some more pics

and thanks, im happy how it turned out, way better than before at least

[AKRISONER]

man i cant wait to do this too my car.

You said that now that you have all this info you could probably get it done quicker?

Im lucky ive got a hammer drill and air compressor to do work on wheels. I changed my brothers winter tires to his summer wheels in 10 minutes.

Is it holding up so far? Im not going to bother if my calipers just turn into rust pieces again after one winter.

[cruisinblackp5]

A hammer drill wowzers. haha They shouldlast for a year min, more if you do all the proper prep. I used tremclad and spray bombed another car and it lasted 4+ years and they were bright yellow

[JetLi]

Wicked job and write up - I wish it was around when I did mine, I hunted all over this site to gather the information I needed!

I wish I thought of placing some stickers on mine when I did it. Will adding ToProtege.com stickers add another 2hp each? If the windows add 5hp each, the calipers must add at least 1 or 2....:D

I'm lucky in a way, I had to luxury of baking mine at my gf's sister's place the weekend after they moved in (first time they used that oven, ha ha). I went with the Duplicolor kit, just the red, I did have to touch it up this year, a couple of bits chipped off on the front ones, probably because I didn't do clear coats or anything. Maybe I will redo mine next year.....

[AKRISONER]

A hammer drill wowzers.
hammer drill/impact wrench whatever ahhahahaa

i was sleepy

[lowpro2002]

the closest close up

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2568370047_9acc39d33c.jpg?v=0

[mazda_gurl]

Sorry for the Fizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz but I had a couple questions

Laleet, how is your caliper paint holding up? Still going strong?

I want to paint my Calipers RED.....I dont want the "orange-ish" red, but like a deep Rich Red.......do I go with the Metallic spray you used?
If so, what was it and where do I get it?

Also, my calipers are currently silver (but the rust is starting to come up through the paint again :confused: ) I should prime the caliper first, then paint, then clear coat?

Thanks guys!

[midnitehour]

the caliper is made of aluminum, the rust is just brake dust on top of the paint.

not sure if the paint will be able to handle brake cleaner, but it is an option.

[mazda_gurl]

Snap - Didnt know it wasnt rust......looks pretty rusty like :(

[CulRidr]

the caliper is made of aluminum, the rust is just brake dust on top of the paint.

not sure if the paint will be able to handle brake cleaner, but it is an option.

Brake cleaner will definitely dissolve a good chunk of the paint...

[1MAZDA]

sorry for the fizzy but any chance you have any pic's of how the paint is holding on?

[starscream]

Not right now..because i have steelies on LOL so hard to really see the caliper. I am hoping to post up my calipers after the winter has gone. However from what i can see they are holding up FAIRLY well. The paint tho turns a SLIGHTLY lights red (just a TINGE) i guess because if the heat the caliper creates maybe... but for the most part they were holding up fineee.

[superdave]

the caliper is made of aluminum, the rust is just brake dust on top of the paint.

not sure if the paint will be able to handle brake cleaner, but it is an option.

The calipers on proteges are definitely not aluminum. They are cast Iron.

So it could easily be the caliper rusting.

[1MAZDA]

KEEP ME POSTED ON THE SHOTS.

Not right now..because i have steelies on LOL so hard to really see the caliper. I am hoping to post up my calipers after the winter has gone. However from what i can see they are holding up FAIRLY well. The paint tho turns a SLIGHTLY lights red (just a TINGE) i guess because if the heat the caliper creates maybe... but for the most part they were holding up fineee.

[1MAZDA]

^Any updates? and where did you get those stickers that you put on?

[dead_cactus]

Caliper decals can be bought here,

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=25366

http://sechemedia.ca/catalog/

[1MAZDA]

^thanks, but is there any places out there that is more local?

[dead_cactus]

Simply Tire sells them

[1MAZDA]

^ Where are they located?

[dead_cactus]

Off Finch between Keele and Dufferin.

http://www.simplytire.com/

[1MAZDA]

^ you're the best..

[2003pro5]

I actually talked to this guy who is making these for the mazda 3 and sent him a few pics of the P5 calipers and he made me up 4 different sizes and they should be here by tomoro. If these work out its a pretty good deal. $10 for 5 stickers that takes like 2-3 days to ship since he is in ontario.


Caliper decals can be bought here,

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=25366

http://sechemedia.ca/catalog/

[1MAZDA]

^ Why four different sizes?

[2003pro5]

To see which fit on the calipers because he has never made them for the P5 calipers before. just the mazda 3.

[1MAZDA]

So will he be sending you more after so they all match in size?

[2003pro5]

no he sent me 4 of each size. so i use the one that fits and let him know.


has anyone applied decals on the P5 calipers? I dont know how i'mm going to get around the hole that is in the centre.

[1MAZDA]

^Have you read this how to thread, starscream applied his decals with no problems. check it out it's on the first page.

[2003pro5]

Aren't the P5's different then the MSP? the rear caliper is really tiny.

[1MAZDA]

^Only by a little I believe.

[2003pro5]

well i guess ill just have to wait and see tomoro when i do the job

[1MAZDA]

Keep me posted!

[2003pro5]

got them done yesterday. ^ You can check out pics here http://www.toprotege.com/forums/showthread.php?p=674999#post674999

[AKRISONER]

didnt get mine as clean as yours off the bat cause mine were baaadddddd, but I plan on just retouching them every year from now on.

used caliper paint with out the starter layers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v172/doofy500/wheel.jpg

[y2jay]

why did you paint the hub red??
:noidea:

[AKRISONER]

why did you paint the hub red??
:noidea:

because the entire thing was starting to look like shit from all of the rust and they are only 3 weeks old.

[midnitehour]

because the entire thing was starting to look like shit from all of the rust and they are only 3 weeks old.

i spray painted mine clear with caliper paint, to prevent rust and keep that new bling look.

problem now it's just the color of brake dust.

[991.8l]

because the entire thing was starting to look like shit from all of the rust and they are only 3 weeks old.

looks like you missed all the rusty area... and black would be a better choice IMO.

[AKRISONER]

Red black, whatever, You cannot see the rusty area when the wheel is moving, however when the entire hub was rusted it looked like shit. If im gonna drop 270 bucks on brembos they might as well look half decent.

The Red or black deal, whatever I dont mind it, I dont see what the huge deal is, it looks like my rims are spinning on a red ring now, i think thats pretty cool.