Painting brake calipers.

[Black Stallion]

Hey guys, I have stock brake calipers and I don't really like the rust/brake dust color. Maybe its just me, but its kinda fugly. I want to paint them red. How would I go about doing this? How difficult is it?

[OZ98Cobra]

Not really difficult at all - here is what I have done and recommend.

I prefer to remove the caliper and use spray paint than to use the brush on type products, but removing the calipers can be a messy job - unless you have a couple of tricks up your sleeve ;)

The best paint to use is the VHT Brake Caliper paint. Also, go to an Ace hardware, or other real hardware store, and pickup at least four 10mm (3/8") x 25mm (1") nylon bolts complete with nylon nuts and two nylon washers per bolt. You will also need to go to your local auto parts store or Ford dealer and pick up some new washers for the brake caliper banjo bolts (where the hose attaches to the caliper) because these are not reusable. You will also need some brake fluid to top up with after the job, and a simple brake bleeding kit makes bleeding easier at the end of the job.

You will do one end of the car at a time, so raise the car and remove the wheels on the end you wish to start on. Unbolt the brake hose from the caliper, remove the bolt from the banjo fitting on the end of the hose, and immediately install the nylon bolts with a nylon washer on either side and a nylon washer. It doesn't need to be super tight - just enough to stop most of the brake fluid leaking out. I also recommend putting a plastic bag over the end of the hose secured with a rubber band. Don't worry if there is a tiny bit of seepage around the nylon bolts, as long as it's not dripping out. DO NOT get brake fluid on your cars paint, as it will damage it!

Next remove your calipers, drain the brake fluid from them, and screw in a nylon bolt to plug the hole where the banjo bolt screws in (don't worry if the threads are different - that's why we are using nylon) - use a washer, and you may need to use a nylon nut as a jam nut if the bolt is too long. Also, remove the brake pads if you haven't already done so.

Now you can thoroughly wash and clean your calipers - I use brake cleaner first (and remember to avoid spraying this stuff directly on the rubber dust boots), then wash them with a scrubbing brush in warm soapy water. When dry, mask around the rubber boots with masking tape, and I also prefer to mask areas where brake pads contact the caliper. Finally, wipe them down with a solvent like prepsol. As with any painting, the better the prep work, the better the finish!

Hang them up and have at it with the paint - at least two coats will be needed, and be careful not to try to put too much on in one coat. Leave them to dry overnight, then the following morning you can carefully remove your masking tape, and put it all back together again.

Don't forget to use new washers on the banjo bolts, and try to avoid getting brake fluid on the freshly painted calipers (which is easier said than done!) - have a damp cloth handy to quickly but gently wipe off any fluid that accidently gets on the caliper. Finally, bleed the brakes (again being carefull not to get any brake fluid on the calipers - keep that damp cloth handy) and you will be done for that end. Then repeat the procedure for the other end of the car.

I haven't gone into details about how to remove, replace, or disassemble the calipers, or how to bleed the brakes - it's not at all hard, but if you are not already familiar with doing this, beg, borrow, buy, or steal a shop manual for your stang for the low down.

Post the pics when you are done! :)

[03cobrablack]

I just taped mine off using tape news paper and a few plastic bags and sprayed them (with hi temp engine paint) while they were stilll on the car...throw an old sheet over the hood/trunk (depending on what end your painting..lol) if your worried about overspray( I didn't have any problem with overspray though..

[93ramvert]

I both cobra94's and mine with the brush on kit. You can get it on really thick, and it evens out pretty good, then I sprayed the high gloss clear ceramic engine paint on them. Gad dam do they look sweet.

[OZ98Cobra]

High temp engine paint might be OK for a show pony, but I would think twice about using it if you plan to drive you car hard - it is usually only rated at up to 500degF - a temp that can easily be exceeded on the street. The VHT Brake Caliper paint is rated to 900degF! (My calipers were painted red, but they are now burned black! Show how hot they get on the road course!)

[03cobrablack]

High temp engine paint might be OK for a show pony, but I would think twice about using it if you plan to drive you car hard - it is usually only rated at up to 500degF - a temp that can easily be exceeded on the street. The VHT Brake Caliper paint is rated to 900degF! (My calipers were painted red, but they are now burned black! Show how hot they get on the road course!)


there is a "higher grade" of engine paint that is rated up to 1500 degrees....Thats what I used....

[01GTType]

Go to Walmart, the have Dupont caliper paint. It will come with everything you need, its a brush on type and I did mine about a year ago and they still look like new. Make sure and give it two coats and your good to go. By the way its 15.00 which is a good price.

[93ramvert]

Go to Walmart, the have Dupont caliper paint. It will come with everything you need, its a brush on type and I did mine about a year ago and they still look like new. Make sure and give it two coats and your good to go. By the way its 15.00 which is a good price.

Ya that's what we used, along with the clear gloss engine paint, And yes it's rated to 1500 degrees. No problems at all with either car, I'm actually going to do my Grand Prix GTP as well.

[Black Stallion]

Well I get new wheels sometime this week and my friend and I are going to paint my calipers, he did his so I figure i'll just use his technique, seems to work well for him.