Should I paint my brake calipers?

[TurnAround]

No.. not with the red, blue, or black epoxy paint kits. I mean just basic high temp high quality spray paint. Probably a dark putty grey color.

Here's why..

Calipers are cast iron. The ATE calipers we have are not all nice and machined and powder coated like Brembos, StopTech, etc.. Ours are "mottled" (un finished). They treat them with a zinc coating to fight rust, but eventually they get rusty looking. Well, that, and a coating of brake dust which is.. you guessed it -> dark putty grey color.

I've seen pics of BMW ATE brake calipers all rusted through. Oye. I don't want to afford a big brake kit. I'll stick with the OEM. But I have an upcoming brake rotor and pad job coming up and I'll have the can of high temp paint out for the rotor hats anyway, so I find myself wondering if I should clean and paint the calipers too.

The question is partly aesthetics, but mostly, my real question for you guys is; Is this a waste of time because the rust will just come through the paint anyway in short order so what's the point. Whaddya think?

- R

[JCL]

Waste of time. Superficial surface rust won't hurt your calipers. If you do want to paint them make sure you clean them sufficiently first, or it will look a mess when the paint starts to come off.

[WAYNE'S X5]

Save your money, and look for some nicer looking uprated discs and will take everyones eye away from the calipers !

[Wagner]

No waste of time and money. Not to mention after a few weeks it will look like crap.

[pseto]

if you do end up painting them, use a brush instead of spray paint. Its easier to manuever and no real need to tape off anything.

[X5Jay]

I say go ahead and paint them. If you do the prep right, it should last at least a couple years...

[FSETH]

I wouldn't paint them.

You could always buy Centric rotors. The come with a black coating on the hats and are relatively inexpensive.

http://www.centricparts.com/prod02.htm

[2002Silver4.6is]

Here's the way to go!

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...oated+calipers

[blktoptrvl]

I painted the calipers on both my sports cars years ago and they still look great. No sign of rust and very glossy. I say, go ahead.

[rastaFarai]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

I painted the calipers on both my sports cars years ago and they still look great. No sign of rust and very glossy. I say, go ahead.

What did you use to paint it? regular brake paint? I've been thinking of doing this as well. Or I was going to buy a new set of NHT calipers.

they upped the price since i last asked them - it was $373 for front and rear total for powder coated calipers!!! I guess i put them onto it.. @#@#)($!_


http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/se...&Vh=2001%20BMW