How to Paint Brake Calipers
Apply the parking brake., Loosen the lug nuts ¼ turn., Position your jack under the frame of the car next to the wheel you are removing., Remove the lug nuts from the wheel to remove it., Repeat the process for all four wheels., Remove the calipers...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Apply the parking brake.
Safety is a priority whenever you are working on a car.
Before removing the wheels apply the parking brake on to make sure your car is secure. -
Step 2: Loosen the lug nuts ¼ turn.
While the tires are still on the ground, use a tire iron or air gun to turn the lug nuts and make the wheel easier to remove. , Use the jack to raise the car off the ground.
Check your car’s owner’s manual for proper jack placement.
Lift the car high enough to slide a jack stand underneath the frame.
Slowly lower the car onto the jack stand.
Remove the jack to leave the car resting on the stand. , Use a tire iron or an air gun to remove the lug nuts one at a time.
When all the lug nuts are removed, pull the tire gently toward you.
Set the wheel aside with the lug nuts. , If you don’t have four jack stands you can do one wheel at a time, but keep in mind it will take much longer while you wait for paint to dry. , The calipers are usually held in place by one or two bolts in the rear.
A ratchet wrench works best to remove the bolts securing the caliper.
Do not disconnect the caliper from the brake line.
Be careful not to crimp or damage the brake hose connected to the caliper.
Place the caliper on a box or inverted bucket. , Brake pads usually clip in place.
Locate the clips that hold the brake pads in place and gently remove the brake pads.
Removing the brake pads will ensure that you don’t get paint on them and possibly compromise your car’s braking ability. , Properly cleaning the brake calipers prior to painting will help prevent the paint from flaking off.
The cleaning process is crucial to ensure that the paint sticks and you end up with a quality paint job.
Use a stiff wire brush to remove any rust or built up grime on the caliper’s metal parts.
Do not brush the rubber casing around the caliper pistons or they may be damaged.
Dip the brush in mineral spirits or gasoline as a solvent to aid the cleaning process.Spray brake cleaner on the caliper to remove the bits loosened by the wire brush.
Sand the metal parts of the caliper with a 150-200 grit sandpaper.
Make sure to get all the bends and groves around the caliper.
Give the caliper another cleaning with the spray on brake cleaner.
Use a paper towel and rubbing alcohol to clean the calipers one final time. , Take time to carefully cover everything around the caliper so you don’t get overspray in unwanted locations.
Tape the rubber protectors around the caliper pistons.
Wrap the brake rotor in newspaper to protect it from paint Cover the panels around the wheel with paper so you don’t get paint on the car. , Calipers are exposed to very high temperatures during braking.
Choose a paint that is heat resistant or developed specifically for calipers.Specialty caliper paints can be purchased from auto parts stores.
Purchase a heat tolerant spray paint from your local hardware store.
Make sure the paint is designed for use on metals. , Spray multiple coats to achieve an even paint job.
Do not apply spray paint in thick coats or you will get drips and runs in your paint.
Spray smoothly and from different angles to get maximum coverage.
Shake the can and follow the label directions on the paint can.
Spray short bursts, not a continuous stream of paint.
Move the can from side to side as you spray.
Wait 5 minutes between coats of paint.
Spray 3 to 4 coats on the top side of the caliper. , After applying multiple coats to one side of the caliper, wait for it to dry to the touch before turning it over.
Repeat the painting process on the opposite side of the caliper Be gentle when turning the caliper so you don’t twist the brake line.
You do not need to paint the inner portion of the caliper as this isn’t seen and may affect the performance of your brakes. , Depending on the temperature and humidity, the time it takes for your paint to dry may vary.
You don’t want to ruin all your hard work, so make sure the paint is completely dry before replacing the caliper. , This may be a good time replace your brake pads if they are beginning to wear thin.
Use a C-clamp to compress the caliper piston to position the brake pads properly.
Bolt the caliper back in place around the brake rotor.
Place the caliper back around the rotor and replace the bolts that you removed to take the caliper off.
Make sure the bolts are tight to securely reassemble your brake system.
Important:
Take care not to twist or crimp the brake line. , Place the tire on the bolts attached to the wheel assembly.
Hand tighten the lug nuts onto the bolts.
Use a tire iron or an air gun to tighten the lug nuts.
Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern alternating sides rather than in a circular pattern. , Slowly raise the car about an inch to slide the jack stand out from under the car.
Remove the jack stand.
Lower the car to the ground.
Double check that your lug nuts are securely tightened. , It may be hard to resist taking your fresh calipers out for a spin, but waiting the added time will ensure that the paint cures to the metal and doesn’t peel off due to the heat of braking., Make sure your brakes are working properly.
Enjoy the looks from the people you pass admiring your newly painted calipers. -
Step 3: Position your jack under the frame of the car next to the wheel you are removing.
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Step 4: Remove the lug nuts from the wheel to remove it.
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Step 5: Repeat the process for all four wheels.
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Step 6: Remove the calipers from the wheel assembly.
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Step 7: Separate the brake pads from the caliper.
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Step 8: Clean the calipers thoroughly.
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Step 9: Use tape and newspaper to mask the area around the caliper that is not being painted.
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Step 10: Select a high quality paint.
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Step 11: Paint the caliper one side at a time.
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Step 12: Allow the caliper to dry for 30 minutes
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Step 13: then paint the other side.
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Step 14: Allow the paint to dry for one hour before replacing the caliper.
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Step 15: Click the brake pads back in place on the caliper.
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Step 16: Position the tire back on the car.
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Step 17: Use a jack to remove the car from the jack stand.
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Step 18: Wait 24 hours for the paint to cure completely.
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Step 19: Take the car out for a test drive.
Detailed Guide
Safety is a priority whenever you are working on a car.
Before removing the wheels apply the parking brake on to make sure your car is secure.
While the tires are still on the ground, use a tire iron or air gun to turn the lug nuts and make the wheel easier to remove. , Use the jack to raise the car off the ground.
Check your car’s owner’s manual for proper jack placement.
Lift the car high enough to slide a jack stand underneath the frame.
Slowly lower the car onto the jack stand.
Remove the jack to leave the car resting on the stand. , Use a tire iron or an air gun to remove the lug nuts one at a time.
When all the lug nuts are removed, pull the tire gently toward you.
Set the wheel aside with the lug nuts. , If you don’t have four jack stands you can do one wheel at a time, but keep in mind it will take much longer while you wait for paint to dry. , The calipers are usually held in place by one or two bolts in the rear.
A ratchet wrench works best to remove the bolts securing the caliper.
Do not disconnect the caliper from the brake line.
Be careful not to crimp or damage the brake hose connected to the caliper.
Place the caliper on a box or inverted bucket. , Brake pads usually clip in place.
Locate the clips that hold the brake pads in place and gently remove the brake pads.
Removing the brake pads will ensure that you don’t get paint on them and possibly compromise your car’s braking ability. , Properly cleaning the brake calipers prior to painting will help prevent the paint from flaking off.
The cleaning process is crucial to ensure that the paint sticks and you end up with a quality paint job.
Use a stiff wire brush to remove any rust or built up grime on the caliper’s metal parts.
Do not brush the rubber casing around the caliper pistons or they may be damaged.
Dip the brush in mineral spirits or gasoline as a solvent to aid the cleaning process.Spray brake cleaner on the caliper to remove the bits loosened by the wire brush.
Sand the metal parts of the caliper with a 150-200 grit sandpaper.
Make sure to get all the bends and groves around the caliper.
Give the caliper another cleaning with the spray on brake cleaner.
Use a paper towel and rubbing alcohol to clean the calipers one final time. , Take time to carefully cover everything around the caliper so you don’t get overspray in unwanted locations.
Tape the rubber protectors around the caliper pistons.
Wrap the brake rotor in newspaper to protect it from paint Cover the panels around the wheel with paper so you don’t get paint on the car. , Calipers are exposed to very high temperatures during braking.
Choose a paint that is heat resistant or developed specifically for calipers.Specialty caliper paints can be purchased from auto parts stores.
Purchase a heat tolerant spray paint from your local hardware store.
Make sure the paint is designed for use on metals. , Spray multiple coats to achieve an even paint job.
Do not apply spray paint in thick coats or you will get drips and runs in your paint.
Spray smoothly and from different angles to get maximum coverage.
Shake the can and follow the label directions on the paint can.
Spray short bursts, not a continuous stream of paint.
Move the can from side to side as you spray.
Wait 5 minutes between coats of paint.
Spray 3 to 4 coats on the top side of the caliper. , After applying multiple coats to one side of the caliper, wait for it to dry to the touch before turning it over.
Repeat the painting process on the opposite side of the caliper Be gentle when turning the caliper so you don’t twist the brake line.
You do not need to paint the inner portion of the caliper as this isn’t seen and may affect the performance of your brakes. , Depending on the temperature and humidity, the time it takes for your paint to dry may vary.
You don’t want to ruin all your hard work, so make sure the paint is completely dry before replacing the caliper. , This may be a good time replace your brake pads if they are beginning to wear thin.
Use a C-clamp to compress the caliper piston to position the brake pads properly.
Bolt the caliper back in place around the brake rotor.
Place the caliper back around the rotor and replace the bolts that you removed to take the caliper off.
Make sure the bolts are tight to securely reassemble your brake system.
Important:
Take care not to twist or crimp the brake line. , Place the tire on the bolts attached to the wheel assembly.
Hand tighten the lug nuts onto the bolts.
Use a tire iron or an air gun to tighten the lug nuts.
Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern alternating sides rather than in a circular pattern. , Slowly raise the car about an inch to slide the jack stand out from under the car.
Remove the jack stand.
Lower the car to the ground.
Double check that your lug nuts are securely tightened. , It may be hard to resist taking your fresh calipers out for a spin, but waiting the added time will ensure that the paint cures to the metal and doesn’t peel off due to the heat of braking., Make sure your brakes are working properly.
Enjoy the looks from the people you pass admiring your newly painted calipers.
About the Author
Brittany Vasquez
Creates helpful guides on home improvement to inspire and educate readers.
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