Caliper Paint Thoughts
#100
Cross posting in hopes of warning people of my personal lessons learned. Because i wanted to strip the factory paint off the caliper I removed them from the car. Which in my opinion, added a **** ton more work, and caused more issues down the line with the brake fluid inevitably leaking on to the caliper which just damaged the paint.
The key issue was using aircraft paint remover. It doesn't properly remove all the paint. I ended up having to use it about 3 times and still had so much more prep work to do to get a smooth finish vs if I had just scuffed the factory paint and applied over it.
Don't do what I did. Between the uneven surface finish hard to see in photos, damaged paint on nearly the entire backside of caliper due to brake fluid leaking during line installation, and WAY more time spent than if I had merely just masked off the car, I will end up having to redo these in powder coat anyway. It will be quicker to have them media blasted to get a smooth finish back than to try and strip the paint, again. What a buzzkill. Real shame because the MRM came out great. Automotivetouchups.com gets a big thumbs up in my opinion. I just wish I hadn't tried to go the extra mile because it backfired horribly.
The key issue was using aircraft paint remover. It doesn't properly remove all the paint. I ended up having to use it about 3 times and still had so much more prep work to do to get a smooth finish vs if I had just scuffed the factory paint and applied over it.
Don't do what I did. Between the uneven surface finish hard to see in photos, damaged paint on nearly the entire backside of caliper due to brake fluid leaking during line installation, and WAY more time spent than if I had merely just masked off the car, I will end up having to redo these in powder coat anyway. It will be quicker to have them media blasted to get a smooth finish back than to try and strip the paint, again. What a buzzkill. Real shame because the MRM came out great. Automotivetouchups.com gets a big thumbs up in my opinion. I just wish I hadn't tried to go the extra mile because it backfired horribly.
#101
^^^ that color looks great! Sorry about your experience in doing this. I did mine a few weeks ago and started the prep on Friday night, painted on Saturday, decaled and cleared on Sunday morning and reinstalled the wheels around midnight. Long damn weekend. When asked what I would've done differently...
I would pay someone else to do it
I would pay someone else to do it
#103
No it's not. I did this with 2 of mine. However after prolonging the process with the 1st 2 I just scuffed the other 2 which cut the time in half.
#104
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
I wouldn't consider doing this. I'm too lazy & the stock black works for my MM car.
But if I did ever decide to do it, I'd have to go with that crazy green applied by v8sedan (see post #91). Along with the "Lexus F" decals in black. Looks amazing sir.
Did you apply any clear coat before installation?
But if I did ever decide to do it, I'd have to go with that crazy green applied by v8sedan (see post #91). Along with the "Lexus F" decals in black. Looks amazing sir.
Did you apply any clear coat before installation?
Last edited by tas02; 06-02-16 at 07:32 PM. Reason: Referenced post