Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Welcome! => Beginner's Board => Topic started by: jgp12000 on February 10, 2026, 01:27:57 PM

Title: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: jgp12000 on February 10, 2026, 01:27:57 PM
The brake calipers on the 2012 SUV are showing a little surface rust & I want to paint them next time I do the brakes.Nothing flashy,I think OEM is silver,thought about black.

I assume you would want a high temp rustoleum paint.I might brush paint grand daddy style.

Any Gurus?
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: Brewcrafter on February 10, 2026, 01:53:50 PM
Not cheap, but I am a big fan of Eastwood Exhaust paint.  Comes in grey, "stainless", and black colors that I know of, and is available as both rattle can or brush on.  Have used it countless times on cast iron exhaust manifolds and see no reason it wouldn't work great on brake calipers or brake drums. - john
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on February 10, 2026, 03:49:53 PM
They make high temp paint specifically for brake calipers. Enough goofballs wanna paint them bright colors to generate sufficient demand.

I believe they also come in non-bright colors.

"Did you see Bob up the street upgraded his brakes?"
"Yeah he got those new yellows."
"Do those improve stopping performance?"
"No, but he thinks people will assume they're a brembo kit or something"
"Will anyone be able to tell the difference when they get covered in brake dust?"
"No, but Bob will know."

Don't be that guy. I'm glad you're trying to match stock.
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: MACflyer on February 10, 2026, 04:29:46 PM
Jason, that made me laugh out loud.  8)
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: jgp12000 on February 10, 2026, 04:41:14 PM
We have a "rent to own" wheel store locally,some of the cars guys put these "20s" on are worth less than the rims ;D
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on February 10, 2026, 05:13:29 PM
I had a friend like that when I was in school. To his credit when he ran the car into the ground he took the rims to the next poorly chosen car.

He did eventually grow up.
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: foakes on February 10, 2026, 06:33:41 PM
When I bought my first Ford Bronco at 17 years old, back in 1970, the first thing I really wanted was to change out the stock wheels and tires for chromed wheels and better tires.

It didn't run any better, but in my mind that didn't matter much —- it looked cool to me.

Best, Fred
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: Benni3 on February 10, 2026, 06:50:01 PM
Barbecue paint at home depot,,,, ;D
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: oc1 on February 10, 2026, 07:11:43 PM
No offense man, but a little surface rust on a big hulking brake caliper isn't a big deal.  I thought they were all that way.  Benny's BBQ grill paint is a quick fix.  A flashy color would just be something else that looks like it needs to be cleaned frequently.
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: oldmanjoe on February 10, 2026, 10:05:33 PM
 :)    All the cool kids are doing powder coating ..   This might be the excuse you need to start coating !
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: Benni3 on February 11, 2026, 01:12:03 AM
Quote from: oc1 on February 10, 2026, 07:11:43 PMNo offense man, but a little surface rust on a big hulking brake caliper isn't a big deal.  I thought they were all that way.  Benny's BBQ grill paint is a quick fix.  A flashy color would just be something else that looks like it needs to be cleaned frequently.
Ya,,,,the silver has alot of aluminum stops rust and sometimes on exhaust i have just used cheap Walmart silver and it looks good for about 2years,,,, ;D
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: akroper on February 11, 2026, 01:16:24 AM
I painted my calipers metal flake cherry red.  I gained 3.5%-4% horsepower.  I'm gonna paint the whole darn engine next and you better watch out!
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: oldmanjoe on February 11, 2026, 03:07:20 AM
Quote from: akroper on February 11, 2026, 01:16:24 AMI painted my calipers metal flake cherry red.  I gained 3.5%-4% horsepower.  I'm gonna paint the whole darn engine next and you better watch out!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/17471-081023145622-383432237.gif)

Did the stopping power increase or decrease ?
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: MarkT on February 11, 2026, 04:09:27 AM
Paint 'em red to look like cool kid imports!
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: CincyDavid on February 13, 2026, 07:40:44 PM
Wanna have fun, paint the rotors too. I have painted some calipers and some rotor hats, I just use whatever high-temp paint I scrounge up at the paint store.
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: MolBasser on March 07, 2026, 01:56:10 PM
Sometimes a little contrast in color looks good. A little squirt of wheel cleaner when you wash the car takes the dust right off.

So funny what gets people exercised sometimes.
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on March 07, 2026, 02:15:58 PM
Is that you, Bob?

(All in good fun)
Title: Re: Brake Caliper Paint
Post by: MolBasser on March 07, 2026, 02:27:09 PM
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on March 07, 2026, 02:15:58 PMIs that you, Bob?

(All in good fun)

Fun is what is about.  A life of ADD has taught me that one person's fun is often another person's cloud to shake a cane at.

:)