Durability of painted calipers? Also think it looks 'cheap'?

mdgrwl · 08-23-09, 10:37 AM

I'm on the fience about painting my calipers... I've read here and there about it not holding up.

For those that did paint their calipers, how are they holding up? Chips ect... ?

That and I guess what do you think about the 'painted caliper look' with Lexus decal? Cheap? Good?

Go.

XprincoX · 08-23-09, 10:44 AM

I've had mine painted w/ decals for almost a yr now and they've held up just fine. They do get dirty from brake dust once in awhile, but nothing a good scrubbing when cleaning the wheels can't fix. The only time its chipped was when i accidentally nicked it while unmounting the wheel... But a little touch-up fixed that pretty easily too.

Lexasaurus · 08-23-09, 10:58 AM

I've painted my calipers on my bike, and my old ES300, they held up just fine. Calipers on my bike were painted from black to gold and have been on for 3 years now, not a single chip.

llamaboiz · 08-23-09, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdgrwl

For those that did paint their calipers, how are they holding up? Chips ect... ?

2yrs now and still just as red as when i painted them, the only time i'd get a chip is when i'd be putting my wheels back on and i kiss the calipers, but thats my mistake. How good your paint job is depends on how well you prep the brakes before painting/allow the paint to cure before driving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdgrwl

That and I guess what do you think about the 'painted caliper look' with Lexus decal? Cheap? Good?

when asking if something looks 'good', its subjective/a matter of personal taste.

DoTheDrew · 08-23-09, 01:12 PM

i'd only paint the stock calipers black. anything else seems a lil rice and cheap.

tromly · 08-23-09, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoTheDrew

i'd only paint the stock calipers black. anything else seems a lil rice and cheap.

+1 DoTheDrew, nothing but black, and no decals!

DoTheDrew · 08-23-09, 02:42 PM

however seoul's yellow looks pretty damn good on sgm

jns350 · 08-24-09, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoTheDrew

however seoul's yellow looks pretty damn good on sgm

nahh it's looks cheap/rice

I think this mod is 1. inexpensive 2. good bang for the buck 3. it's all in the details and prep work to make it last long and look good

nmpeter · 08-23-09, 04:45 PM

Black ftw, as stated above its ricey and cheap.

dylan20 · 08-23-09, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmpeter

Black ftw, as stated above its ricey and cheap.

maybe too you... but not the ton of us others that have

hmsis250 · 08-23-09, 08:11 PM

I've had mine painted for 2.5 years, still looking good. Its all in the prep work and the quality paint you use. If you are concerned about longevity I would consider powder coating your calipers.

trixxx519 · 08-23-09, 08:24 PM

what paint do you guys recommend buying (red)

llamaboiz · 08-23-09, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trixxx519

what paint do you guys recommend buying (red)

i used the dupli kit, just goto a hobby store and buy a real brush, dont use the kit brush AND buy 2 cans of gunk brake cleaner/wire brush for the prep work.

trixxx519 · 08-23-09, 08:59 PM

i been watching youtube, would sandpaper work instead? and i was thinking about spray painting it

rs/ss · 08-24-09, 01:34 AM

This is an easy mod. that can look OEM, or not, if that's what you're looking for. I tend to agree durability depends mostly on the attention to the prep. of the caliper so an extra can or two of brake cleaner is good to have around . I used some POR15 (gloss black) that I had left over from another project and it looks great after 2 years. POR15 looks and is nearly as durable as powder coating.

IMHO our calipers should've been powder coated from the factory like they did with the IS-F.