Painting Brake Calipers

I plan to paint my brake calipers this weekend and I’m looking for recommendations on Red Paint. I prefer to use rattlecan versus paint brush. Which Red comes closet to the TRD RED, RUSTOELUM, VHT OR DUPLI-COLOR? Should I stick with caliper paint or would engine enamel work fine? Do I need a high heat primer and a high heat gloss/Clear Coat? I appreciate any and all recommendations!

 

I would use caliper paint, think it will last longer.

 

I've been wanting to do this as well. If you find a good procedure, please post it! I'm replacing pads and rotors soon so thinking about painting with the calipers still on the truck.

 

Watching this for sure!

 

I just finished painting my calipers this evening. Letting it sit awhile but I used VHT primer (3 coats) followed by VHT color (3 coats). The color paint is rated at 550 degrees and it should be fine but I guess we will be able to tell in a few months. Suggest you go with what makes you comfortable. Do recommend you check out BlueRibbon4x4 posts on here. Geno has done a ton of mods one of which is painting his calipers.

 

Don’t think Geno will mind but here was the directions I got from him. Followed it to the t.

1. For the brake calipers, I used high heat paint for the calipers. Got it at autozone and picked the one with the highest heat tolerance, not just caliper paint. Also grabbed a can of high heat primer.
The rear calipers were left on the disc, just cleaned and masked carefully. I pulled the front calipers off the disc but left the brake line attached. Hung it by some baling wire, cleaned thoroughly with brake cleaner, and taped off the brake feed lines and grommets for the pistons. Sanded all of them with 220 grit sandpaper to scuff them up, then cleaned with acetone and wire brush to clean again. Then I sprayed 3 coats high temp primer, 3 coats blue. Sounds like a lot of work, but honestly took about an hour, includingwrestling those wheels on and off.

 

PM

 

VHT flame proof or caliper type primer, paint, and clear. Not on the Tundra, but I just rebuilt all 4 corners on my track Mini Cooper and painted them (as well as printed my own decals for the front set). Clean them well. I used a ton of brake cleaner, wire brush, and a handful of dremel wire wheels. Then a light sanding. Prime paint then clear. Easy enough just time consuming.

 

Sweet!!!

 

Very Nice!

 

My plan was to paint this weekend, but the wifey has a different plan! Lol...She wanting to take a 3 day trip to Poteau, Oklahoma for some fishing and relaxation and I’m all in for that too! Brake calipers will have to wait!

 

A wife who wants to go away on a fishing trip! Where did you find her? Calipers can wait.

 

LMAO!!!

 

Returning to the original post on painting calipers, there seems to be consensus on high heat paint and majority as to caliper paint but questions:
(1) Is there a consensus on brand?
(2) Which red is closest to TRD Red - VHT, Rust-Oleum, Dupli-color, POR-15, G2 or another?

 

I used Dupli caliper red, very close to TRD red and is rock hard when dry.

 

Nice!

 

I did the same but hand painting was a PITA...although I read somewhere that it lasts longer than the spray paint:

 

Nice!

 

Few comments if you decide to paint with the Duplicolor kit:
- I learned the hard way not to remove the calipers to paint as recommended on the box. This paint takes FOREVER to dry. Tough to handle wet calipers to re-install and drive the truck. Mine still felt tacky after a day.
- Extra paint brushes are needed and the single one in the kit isn't enough for all (4).
- Use gloves as this paint is very difficult to wash off your hands.
- Good lighting is very important.

Best of Luck.

 

Op, any updates?? Gefite fish?

 

Question if you paint them with the duplicolor red paint. How many days to dry if you don’t remove the Calibers. I can leave my truck sit for days to dry.

 

I only messed up on one rear caliper, but found a way to reinstall/repaint spots while still wet. I waited until the next morning to drive, so about 12 hours before I was using my truck again. My paint was still tacky, but it wasn't raining and I wasn't too worried about much dust, dirt, etc. sticking to the tacky paint (and I didn't notice anything after the paint dried). I did set-up a portable electric heater blowing on the caliper after I painted each one and was working on the next (for about 1 hour) to accelerate the drying time, but think it was around 2 days before the paint didn't feel tacky anymore. Area temps were running in the 60's when I painted mine.
YMMV.

 

Not sure how the OP made it on my username, but the the time with wifey was great. The fishing, not so much due to the cold front that blew through

 

Tape them up on the truck, clean with brake cleaner and dry, paint and wait 2 hours, replace wheels and go. The caliper getting hot cures the paint.

 

You created this thread are are the original poster (aka OP)

 

What type of prep did you do before painting? Looks awesome and you sold me on it!!

 

Is the Dupli-Color spray cans the same paint?

 

They have a caliper paint in an aerosol and a caliper paint you brush on. From what others have said, the paint you brush on is reportedly tougher but most seem to appreciate the ease of the spray and it seems to work fine.

 

Was the paint supplied in the kit enough to paint all 4? I believe it is but want to make sure how much to purchase. Appears that extra brushes and cleaner is needed.

 

Dupli Color Spray cans are easier, 2-3 medium coats with 15 min between. 1 can would do all 4.