Caliper removal for painting.

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Addicted2fishing

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Hey folks. I’m bored and thinking of painting calipers. Either red or black. I was gonna put those covers but for $200 there is no way I’m doing that. Unless I mess up paint job. [emoji1787].

Anyways, I don’t want to completely remove it. Just take it off the rotor. Is there any special tool that I’ll need to rent ? And is there enough slack in the lines to move it aside to paint or create a cardboard paint booth? As much as I’d love red flake in my paint I’ll have to pass for now....

I’ll have to compress the piston right? And if so, could I do one side at a time ? Front and back? Or will there be too much fluid in reservoir? I am pretty handy but brakes scare the crap out of me and obviously they’re important lol. So naturally I get more anxious messin around with stuff like this.


Thanks folks!



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mdifilippo

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Every time I've seen them done it looks like they mask off the rotors and spray everything in place. May not be the "right" way but it is definitely the accepted way and will save a ton if time and potential for things going south.
 

Gr8bawana

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maybe you got a buddy to help you out because you don't sound like its your thing and really don't want to mess with brakes if you don't know what your doing just saying

This is a good idea because it does sound like you're not really mechanically inclined. You obviously don't do your own brake jobs.
Removing the calipers is no big deal. There is usually enough slack in the flexible brake lines to hang the calipers with a piece of wire. Just cover everything you don't want to get over-spray on and put a piece of cardboard behind the caliper to protect your inner fender from getting spray paint on it.
 

Wild one

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If I remember right it's 18mm bolts that hold the caliper to the caliper bracket,pry the caliper sideways a bit,remove the 2 bolts and the caliper will slide off the pads,leave the pads in place,tie caliper up with wire and paint it.Buy the brush on caliper paint,less overspray.If brakes worry you,do one side at a time.Just make sure you pump the brake pedal afterwards ,before moving the truck,to force the pistons back out.
 

ThunderMug95

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Your PREP work is the most important. Those parts you want to paint are filthy and covered in brake dust/rust/grime.
Use a wire wheel on a a drill and abrade every bit of metal on the caliper and bracket. Then spray the bejesus out of all the metal with brake cleaner and wipe off. Let dry and respray and wipe off again. If you just paint over that dust and grime it will flake off and look like crap inside of 6 months.
 

ThunderMug95

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5B97226A-5649-4E5D-8697-592CE2983462.jpeg I weighed doing this myself and even though I was replacing rotors and pads at the time, i didnt want to mess with all the prep and painting and drying. I spent the $200 instead. Eventhough I have painted calipers on several vehicles (never anything gawdy, just black) I know for damn sure this was the easiest and best looking way, for me at least. I can’t beat this result on my best day...
 

Tim Garceau

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Personally just use a plastic bag and wipe them off with an alcohol rag to give them all a fresh glossy blue layer every time I rotate the tires. If you’re making a show truck, remove, sandblast, and clean away before applying.

VHT caliper paint
 
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Addicted2fishing

Addicted2fishing

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Thanks guys! I am not completely useless at mechanical stuff lol. I just want to make sure it’s done properly and was looking for you guys to let me know if there are any surprises or a better technique. Some of the YouTube videos I watched were older. Also, the one video I watched he used a large flat head but later I saw what appeared to be damage. He was replacing rotors so it was not a big deal to him. I am simply painting calipers so I wanted to make sure I have the proper technique [emoji106]

I did brakes in my Jeep JKU so it’s not completely foreign to me, however, I was replacing everything and My Jeep was also older so I wasn’t so worried. Newer truck now so being cautious is all. Looking for tips on best results and how to do it properly and I got some good info here to get e started.

I watched some YouTube videos and read some archived posts from 2010-2015 mostly. Also did multiple searches on here to find a how to or more technical info but mostly just guys talking about it and the tech forum didn’t have in-depth threads on the matter. Again, it’s not that I’m useless at mechanical stuff. I just want real time, more up to date info from you guys as things change with new models and different tools/techniques may be available to make things easier [emoji12]. I just get fed up sometimes reading old info on google and want fresh info from you awesome people.

At the end of the day I’m just trying to collect as much useful info as possible so I can approach this with all tools needed and knowledge [emoji106]



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Graygoose

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View attachment 166120 I weighed doing this myself and even though I was replacing rotors and pads at the time, i didnt want to mess with all the prep and painting and drying. I spent the $200 instead. Eventhough I have painted calipers on several vehicles (never anything gawdy, just black) I know for damn sure this was the easiest and best looking way, for me at least. I can’t beat this result on my best day...
ordering mine just like these today. Love them
 

Tray Burge

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The only way it will hold up is to remove the calipers and have them powder coated, otherwise you'll be repainting them every other year to keep them up to *****, even with great prep and ceramic caliper paint, it won't last, ask me how I know. lol
Go ahead and spend the $250 on the covers, you'll be happier in the long run.
 

co-pilot

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Dorman makes a cover that works good on 4th gen. for about 90.00 a set of 4 ........only comes in red tho...........
 

Tim Garceau

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Are those covers aluminum to allow at least some heat dissipation during heavy braking situations?
 

ThunderMug95

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They MGP’s mount on 2 “arms” for lack of a better description. These 2 arms are bolted to the top center of the caliper at top and bottom. They make very little contact with the actual rotor, so heat transfer is very minimal. They do not mount to the “face” of the caliper you see. Pretty nifty design but simple install and pretty darn secure.
As for the Dorman covers, I wouldnt go that route, nor the “Brembo” ones online with the fake 4 piston bulges, but those you get a a free “Turbo” badge with ...chuckles...
 

Graygoose

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Just ordered mine, 5 days to make and will get shipped.
 

rexdog

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G2 caliper paint is supposed to be really good and you brush it on so you can leave the caliper where it is, just remove the wheels and you're ready to rock.

As for those Dormans, what seems to be the problem with them?

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