Clear coat coming off brake caliper paint
#1
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Thread Starter
Clear coat coming off brake caliper paint
I've got a 2013 Sedan with PP which has the OEM red brake calipers. Today after washing I noticed that some of the clear coat has come off one of the calipers. It's a bit hard to photograph but here's a couple of shots. Has anyone else had this problem? Would this be covered under warranty? It's not a huge deal but I'm worried if it's doing this after 2 years what will it be like further down the track. I do use a high pressure hose on the wheels/brakes but I'm assuming that's how they'd clean it after a service at the dealer anyway.
#2
Senior Member
I've got a 2013 Sedan with PP which has the OEM red brake calipers. Today after washing I noticed that some of the clear coat has come off one of the calipers. It's a bit hard to photograph but here's a couple of shots. Has anyone else had this problem? Would this be covered under warranty? It's not a huge deal but I'm worried if it's doing this after 2 years what will it be like further down the track. I do use a high pressure hose on the wheels/brakes but I'm assuming that's how they'd clean it after a service at the dealer anyway.
#4
Super Member
Should be warranty covered but....
Make sure that your brakes are COOL before you put that high pressure water on them....if they are hot then the thermal shock can cause the paint/clear coat(which is VERY thin with VERY little mass) to contract much faster than the caliper itself(which is VERY thick with LOTS of mass)...I have seen this cause cracking on many many many occasions.....in my opinion there should be no clear coat at all on the calipers for this very reason...a good application of a high temp base with elastomers in the paint should give great looks and performance for the life of the part
Make sure that your brakes are COOL before you put that high pressure water on them....if they are hot then the thermal shock can cause the paint/clear coat(which is VERY thin with VERY little mass) to contract much faster than the caliper itself(which is VERY thick with LOTS of mass)...I have seen this cause cracking on many many many occasions.....in my opinion there should be no clear coat at all on the calipers for this very reason...a good application of a high temp base with elastomers in the paint should give great looks and performance for the life of the part
#5
Warranty will cover it. We've done a few due to peeling or discoloring. I actually have an old set that Mercedes didn't call back that I might refinish and sell or put on my car when mine start to peel.
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#11
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C63 (wife's) E63 (mine) ML63 (gone)
My '11 PP is doing the same. Sadly, extended warranty does not cover this. VHT clear will fix this though hopefully.
One a side note, I have noticed this, and take a warning ... the underlying red WILL COME OFF when you wash your car. My rags turn red when cleaning them with just water, and the are "sitting overnight cold".
One a side note, I have noticed this, and take a warning ... the underlying red WILL COME OFF when you wash your car. My rags turn red when cleaning them with just water, and the are "sitting overnight cold".
#16
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2012 C63 Coupe P31
Same here. I saw this post a couple of months ago and tried replacing mine with original OEM warranty but the stealership considered it as a paint rock chip also and wouldn't cover it.
#18
Junior Member
My local dealer unfortunately does not cover this so I decided to experiment. Hope this helps....
Notice the clear coat almost completely gone.
Soft bristle wheel brush with dawn soap to get rid of grease and brake dust.
I waited about an hour to let it dry in the the sun.
While I was at it, I might as well clean up the inner part of the rotor so I used sand paper & steel wool to remove the rust.
Used Brakleen to clean the residue.
Mask away ...
VHT paint high temp paint.
I used 1 light coat to start off then 3 heavier coats after. I let it dry about 15 to 20 minutes between each coat.
Back to the calipers. I used model paint to touch up some small nicks. Let it dry for about 10 minutes.
Better than before.
Dupli-color High temp gloss clear. I did 1 light coat and then 4 heavier coats letting it dry for 15 to 20 minutes between each coat.
Finished product....
Its been about 4 months and they look perfect. I do use an electric pressure washer from a safe distance but I don't see any signs of wearing.
Notice the clear coat almost completely gone.
Soft bristle wheel brush with dawn soap to get rid of grease and brake dust.
I waited about an hour to let it dry in the the sun.
While I was at it, I might as well clean up the inner part of the rotor so I used sand paper & steel wool to remove the rust.
Used Brakleen to clean the residue.
Mask away ...
VHT paint high temp paint.
I used 1 light coat to start off then 3 heavier coats after. I let it dry about 15 to 20 minutes between each coat.
Back to the calipers. I used model paint to touch up some small nicks. Let it dry for about 10 minutes.
Better than before.
Dupli-color High temp gloss clear. I did 1 light coat and then 4 heavier coats letting it dry for 15 to 20 minutes between each coat.
Finished product....
Its been about 4 months and they look perfect. I do use an electric pressure washer from a safe distance but I don't see any signs of wearing.
Last edited by ev4530; 01-27-2016 at 02:21 AM.
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a100steaksauce (11-17-2020)
#24
Junior Member
Thank you guys. I forgot to mention that before I did all this, I used compressed air to remove the rest of the excess clear that was flaking off.