Which is better? Powder Coat or Paint for Brembos?

[TAG UR IT]

I want blue Brembos.

I want the blue to stick around for a while.

I'd have to take off all 4 tires, remove the calipers, strip them from their pistons, etc....sandblast them, and then have the powder coated.

I was told the powder coating would run $80 for all 4 calipers. I'd have to find the sand blasting on my own.

What do ya'll think? Any performance shops that can chime in and set me in a right direction?

[zebra]

i ain't really an expert, but i do believe the powder coat will be better in the long run than paint

[TAG UR IT]

i hear this is the case too....but someone was telling me earlier that certain issues can arise when powdercoating...cracking, corners not being covered properly, etc.

It began getting me concerned as this was the way I wanted to go.

[IPS Brandon]

Powder coating it going to create the strongest bond for the *paint* in this case powder to stick to the caliper. The paint will be hardened and more resistant to rocks, and chips, and acid. Although over time it will be susceptible to possible fading.

If your powdercoating the calipers the proper way, is to completely disassemble the caliper and pistons, remove all seals. Sand/media blast, and then parts wash to remove any fluids or oils off the calipers. Then go to the powder booth to pre heat the material, coat, then bake, and cure. You then will also need some way to place the brembo sticker back on the caliper whether someone who makes a copy of the decal, or dealer may be able to find something.

80 dollars for all four is a little low in my estimate. But if they are offering, so be it.

You can also just spary the calipers and then clear coat them, and hope they hope up.

Regards

[Doc]

If you want to color them Tag, I'd just paint them. You aren't building a for-show-only car and the trouble of getting these powder-coated just isn't worth it IMO. Get a paint for brake calipers that can handle the heat and just make a weekend project out of it.

[Rick@Livernois]

We have a customer with an Aston Martin Vantage and he thought silver calipers looked boring and the Aston Martin decal looked cheap. He asked that we paint them and CNC Vantage into them... he was very happy with the result and they have held up great to daily driving and road racing.







-Rick

[Bell040]

why do you have to remove all of the seals for powdercoating?

Doesn't the powder cure happen ~400°F?... I am pretty sure that your brakes see well over 400°F just driving around town.

Rick - what kind of paint did you use?

[Rick@Livernois]

Originally Posted by Bell040

why do you have to remove all of the seals for powdercoating?

Doesn't the powder cure happen ~400°F?... I am pretty sure that your brakes see well over 400°F just driving around town.

Rick - what kind of paint did you use?

I'm not sure what brand it was, but it was a normal automotive based paint.

-Rick

[CDBiker220]

Ive used paint on normal cast calipers that lasted for years...and only cost a few bucks for a can of high temp paint. I believe they make brake specific paint even though i used hi temp engine paint

[ZZcamaro]

According to Brembo...

You should be doing a paint over powdercoat... SO you would do a nice powder coat base whcih will stand up to the direct heating of the brakes, then you would be painting your final colors over that.

I will probably do a base coat of powder, then apply decals and paint over...that way it has a two color look with the lettering I want. I may then do a clear powder or ceramic clear over everything to seal it.

[TAG UR IT]

Some great info. Thanks guys!

[tones2SS]

Tag, my buddy owns a body/speed shop nearby and I asked this question one day. (He'll actually be building my '69 pro-touring Camaro when I get to that point in life!!!) Like someone had posted earlier, when the powder coat does begin to chip or peel away, it does so in larger pieces than paint. He said paint is the way to go because you can do a better job with paint and it will last just as long, if not longer. just make sure you go with someone reputable.
Hope this helps.

[WeeZee]

powder coat, it does not chip real quick or fade fast like paint will

[TAG UR IT]

Oh boy....looks like this is going BOTH ways FAST!

[RS/SS]

I had red powder coated Brembos from a Dodge Viper on my Dakota and they look as good today as they did 5 years ago when I had them done. So my vote is for powder coating.

[GQ4Life]

Originally Posted by Rick@Livernois

We have a customer with an Aston Martin Vantage and he thought silver calipers looked boring and the Aston Martin decal looked cheap. He asked that we paint them and CNC Vantage into them... he was very happy with the result and they have held up great to daily driving and road racing.







-Rick

thats hot.. i want red calipers on my camaro too!
my other car has them and i think they make a car look like a performance car..

[2L8IWON]

I've used G2 caliper paint a couple of times. It comes with a can of brake cleaner. You simply stir the included hardener/accelerator using the provided stir stick then you brush the paint on after masking. They provide enough for two or three coats. The paint ends up drying very smooth and pretty quick with NO streak marks from the brush. The last time I did it was on my white 07 Suburban showing red through my 20" chrome Chevy rims and I thought it set it off good. They looked just like the Vantage painted ones shown above without any logo. I just rested my brake calipers on a tall bucket with newspaper underneath everything while keeping the brake line attached. The time consuming part was masking everything off with painter's tape because I'm a picky and like things done right. It's a little gruelling from start to finish, but gets it done. Also, G2 has all the colors. I've only used red. I'm choosing not to do it on my SIM because I'm keeping it all silver and black and I'm fine with the Brembo's in black with the stock logo.
I've seen the Brembo decals sold on eBay in various colors.
I bet blue calipers with some coordinated Brembo decals would look tight on Tags car!

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by 2L8IWON

I've used G2 caliper paint a couple of times. It comes with a can of brake cleaner. You simply stir the included hardener/accelerator using the provided stir stick then you brush the paint on after masking. They provide enough for two or three coats. The paint ends up drying very smooth and pretty quick with NO streak marks from the brush. The last time I did it was on my white 07 Suburban showing red through my 20" chrome Chevy rims and I thought it set it off good. They looked just like the Vantage painted ones shown above without any logo. I just rested my brake calipers on a tall bucket with newspaper underneath everything. The time consuming part was masking everything off with painter's tape because I'm a picky and like things done right. It's a little gruelling from start to finish, but gets it done. Also, G2 has all the colors. I've only used red. I'm choosing not to do it on my SIM because I'm keeping it all silver and black and I'm fine with the Brembo's in black with the stock logo.
I've seen the Brembo decals sold on eBay in various colors.
I bet blue calipers with white Brembo decals would look tight on Tags car!

With these wheels...

[2L8IWON]

Vewy noice! G2 only runs about $50 off the net and they do have blue. I know that www.tirerack.com sells it in all their colors last time I checked anyway. Just have to spend a little time on the masking everything. The rotors are easy... tape any kind of paper over a good section and spin the rotor so the paper is in your caliper area. ;-)
It's costing me $200-$300 just to get the chrome exhaust bezels on the ground effects powder coated black. I'm surprised they quoted you so low on powder coating the calipers with all the angles and corners.
Well, you've been helped with a few options so good luck. Looking forward to whatever your finished product is! Rock on dude!