Brake Painting

[jmccrack]

Hey guys here's a question. I want to paint the front and rear brakes. Part of the front and all of the rear look like this. Its steel or cast coated with something. I tried to prep and paint once and the paint would not adhere. First time I cleaned well and etch primed and painted. The paint just scratched off. The next time I sanded etch primed and painted , same thing. I did not want to sandblast any suggestions?

142517

This is the rear brake.

[thebicman]

Not sure what to tell you. Sprayed my calipers with brake clean, waited for it to dry and then painted calipers with store bought caliper paint. Ten years later they still look the same.

[egchewy79]

I did a quick wipe down with acetone, a couple of coats of high heat primer and a couple of coats of VHT caliper paint. no issues so far

[Kodiak]

I cleaned mine with PPG DX 330 grease and wax remover wiped dry. Taped off sprayed 2 coats of PPG DP 48 epoxy primer. 2 coats PPG DBC viper red base coat and 2 coats PPG 2021 Urethane clear. Looks like glass and durable.

[jmccrack]

thanks guys. will try again. I was using a product called final wipe to clean. in may not have been right

[johnnybgoode]

I've had good luck with brush on caliper paints as well. Levels out nice. Scott

[jmccrack]

I just found out from FFR the brakes are plated with Nickel Zinc.That is why they are shiny silver. I tried again scotch brite, cleaner, etching primer. I let that dry, then scratched it with my fingernail and the primer came right off. Its driving me nuts.

[chuckster]

I used POR 15 caliper paint kit it comes with cleaner and prep solvent. Seems to be holding up well.

[NC Cobra]

I have yet to try it but G2 seems to be a highly regarded epoxy paint for calipers. Even so it sounds like a prep issue. That said you have done everything I would do so maybe its the paint you are using? https://www.g2usa.com/

[ztoolman44]

When I want to remove zinc from nuts and bolts, hinges, latches, etc. for certain projects I use toilet bowl cleaner with hydrochloric acid. Takes it right off down to bare metal. Creates lots of fumes so take precautions.

[Traveller]

I have the same brakes and they were a nightmare to paint - especially the rear calipers for some reason. I painted and stripped the rear calipers 3 times before getting good adhesion. The usual result was either that the paint could be scratched off with little pressure, or it would orange-peel like crazy. Ultimately, I got satisfactory results after sanding / wire wheeling the surface a lot then prepped with etching primer before paint. Honestly, I'm still not completely satisfied but wanted to move on with the build. Since I live in Michigan, I figure I have 5 months of winter/non-driving season each year for upgrade and redoing things - the brakes will likely be on the list.