SL/R231: painted calipers
#2
Mine are painted. I'm assuming by previous owner. I really like the look. I'll get a picture or two up soon for you. It will give me a good excuse to clean the car up nice and take a photo. I don't do anything except wipe them with a damp cloth to clean.
The following users liked this post:
crconsulting (11-02-2021)
#5
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 962
Likes: 243
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
'19 CLS53, '19 SL550, '22 GLE53
Even more important than painting the calipers -- painting the wheel hubs. Wire brush off the rust, use a rust inhibitor, primer and then silver caliper paint. Use a thin coat of anti-freeze before mounting the wheel. Otherwise they will gradually rust and look terrible.
#6
I have not on the Sl, but plan to do it next spring. I painted the ones on my clk back in the day and it wasn't too bad to do, but it took a little while because I only had a jack and no lift. I loved the look and always felt like it was a bonding moment with my car. Yeah I know....; Anyway, I/you could buy colored ones I know, but sometimes I think the cost just for color is a bit steep.....
Trending Topics
#8
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 968
Likes: 451
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Last edited by crconsulting; 11-03-2021 at 01:12 PM.
#9
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 962
Likes: 243
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
'19 CLS53, '19 SL550, '22 GLE53
You can buy stickers on Amazon or eBay.
https://www.amazon.com/Mercedes-Benz-Brake-Caliper-Hi-Temp-Stickers/
https://www.ebay.com
https://www.amazon.com/Mercedes-Benz-Brake-Caliper-Hi-Temp-Stickers/
https://www.ebay.com
The following users liked this post:
crconsulting (11-03-2021)
#13
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 968
Likes: 451
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
In case of what? An eathquake? LOL!
Ever use those? They lift from the factory lift pads. You lower them into the mechanical locking mechanism. There’s no weight on the hydraulics. Once locked in, they won’t go anywhere. Those are rated at 7000 lbs
It’s by far the one of THE safest methods to work on/lift these cars, especially over floor jack and jack stands!
If you don’t have the space for a full size lift or need flexibility in your garage space I highly recommend these…
Ever use those? They lift from the factory lift pads. You lower them into the mechanical locking mechanism. There’s no weight on the hydraulics. Once locked in, they won’t go anywhere. Those are rated at 7000 lbs
It’s by far the one of THE safest methods to work on/lift these cars, especially over floor jack and jack stands!
If you don’t have the space for a full size lift or need flexibility in your garage space I highly recommend these…
Last edited by crconsulting; 11-03-2021 at 04:45 PM.
#14
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 968
Likes: 451
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
The following users liked this post:
Wolfman (11-03-2021)
#15
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 962
Likes: 243
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
'19 CLS53, '19 SL550, '22 GLE53
In case of what? An eathquake? LOL!
Ever use those? They lift from the factory lift pads. You lower them into the mechanical locking mechanism. There’s no weight on the hydraulics. Once locked in, they won’t go anywhere. Those are rated at 7000 lbs
It’s by far the one of THE safest methods to work on/lift these cars, especially over floor jack and jack stands!
If you don’t have the space for a full size lift or need flexibility in your garage space I highly recommend these…
Ever use those? They lift from the factory lift pads. You lower them into the mechanical locking mechanism. There’s no weight on the hydraulics. Once locked in, they won’t go anywhere. Those are rated at 7000 lbs
It’s by far the one of THE safest methods to work on/lift these cars, especially over floor jack and jack stands!
If you don’t have the space for a full size lift or need flexibility in your garage space I highly recommend these…
I'd at least want to see the frame vertical. Whatever. I am familiar with this product and had a four-post lift in my previous garage, allowing me to park a vehicle under the raised vehicle and also service the raised vehicle while standing. That would be my preference for a lift.
#16
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,137
Likes: 3,361
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Hmm. An earthquake. Yeah, maybe. I see you live in northern California.
I'd at least want to see the frame vertical. Whatever. I am familiar with this product and had a four-post lift in my previous garage, allowing me to park a vehicle under the raised vehicle and also service the raised vehicle while standing. That would be my preference for a lift.
I'd at least want to see the frame vertical. Whatever. I am familiar with this product and had a four-post lift in my previous garage, allowing me to park a vehicle under the raised vehicle and also service the raised vehicle while standing. That would be my preference for a lift.
#17
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 962
Likes: 243
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
'19 CLS53, '19 SL550, '22 GLE53
I appreciate the issue of working on brakes and the benefit of the other type lift. Nice! I like the floor too. Are those the factory upgraded rotors and calipers? Did you apply the graphics at the bottom of the doors yourself or were they factory? I've have a similar set for a GLE53 on order.
Last edited by slk55er; 11-03-2021 at 07:29 PM.
#18
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 962
Likes: 243
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
'19 CLS53, '19 SL550, '22 GLE53
My Rationale
I consulted with my local Department of Redundancy Department and they said, "No harm in having jack stands as a backup." I am particularly sensitive to this 'cause I have a friend in St. George Utah that had a successful auto repair business. Unfortunately, a vehicle he was under fell on him and paralyzed him from the waist down. Fortunately, he was able to start a very-successful new business creating metal sculputures mostly from auto parts. We have one of his sculptures and I've given him several sets of my brake rotors which he uses as a base for his creations. Here's his website and a photo of him working from his wheelchair:
http://www.mattclarksculpture.com
http://www.mattclarksculpture.com
#19
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 968
Likes: 451
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
In the 50 years or so I’ve worked in automotive and machine shops, and the hundreds of lifts I’ve been under, I have seen people drop cars off, 4 post lifts, 2 post lifts, jack stands and a whole myriad of other disasters.
A LIFT is like any other tool. It has an intended design purpose, it has strengths and weaknesses. Nor should you be intimidated by it. It’s also critical to choose the right tool for the right purpose. Like any other piece of heavy equipment, it’s the operator that determines it’s success or failure. Anytime you lift a car, It’s not FOOLPROOF. If you look at the internet it is littered with such stories. Yes, I have worked with people that have lost fingers on machine tools. But that has no bearing on the fact that properly used, (and respected) the tool will function as designed. Accidents happen because mistakes are made.
anyway, how about those painted calipers😀
A LIFT is like any other tool. It has an intended design purpose, it has strengths and weaknesses. Nor should you be intimidated by it. It’s also critical to choose the right tool for the right purpose. Like any other piece of heavy equipment, it’s the operator that determines it’s success or failure. Anytime you lift a car, It’s not FOOLPROOF. If you look at the internet it is littered with such stories. Yes, I have worked with people that have lost fingers on machine tools. But that has no bearing on the fact that properly used, (and respected) the tool will function as designed. Accidents happen because mistakes are made.
anyway, how about those painted calipers😀
Last edited by crconsulting; 11-03-2021 at 08:39 PM.
#20
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,137
Likes: 3,361
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I appreciate the issue of working on brakes and the benefit of the other type lift. Nice! I like the floor too. Are those the factory upgraded rotors and calipers? Did you apply the graphics at the bottom of the doors yourself or were they factory? I've have a similar set for a GLE53 on order.
#21
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 962
Likes: 243
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
'19 CLS53, '19 SL550, '22 GLE53
Yes. I wonder if the decals on the calipers are "permanent." I can imagine that they easily are blown off by high pressure car wash wands. I did order a set of AMG decals, not for on calipers, but for other places like my toolbox, computer monitor frame and maybe even my forehead.
I did have red calipers on my GTS and they were OK but I have no intention of painting my silver calipers with the AMG logo. As someone suggested, the brightly painted calipers can detract from the wheel appearance and, IMHO can be garish. Perhaps this trend for highly visible calipers is a passing fad which will be best left to boy racers in their Hondas and Subarus with annoying exhaust sounds.
I did have red calipers on my GTS and they were OK but I have no intention of painting my silver calipers with the AMG logo. As someone suggested, the brightly painted calipers can detract from the wheel appearance and, IMHO can be garish. Perhaps this trend for highly visible calipers is a passing fad which will be best left to boy racers in their Hondas and Subarus with annoying exhaust sounds.
The following users liked this post:
crconsulting (11-04-2021)
#22
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 968
Likes: 451
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Yes. I wonder if the decals on the calipers are "permanent." I can imagine that they easily are blown off by high pressure car wash wands. I did order a set of AMG decals, not for on calipers, but for other places like my toolbox, computer monitor frame and maybe even my forehead.
I did have red calipers on my GTS and they were OK but I have no intention of painting my silver calipers with the AMG logo. As someone suggested, the brightly painted calipers can detract from the wheel appearance and, IMHO can be garish. Perhaps this trend for highly visible calipers is a passing fad which will be best left to boy racers in their Hondas and Subarus with annoying exhaust sounds.
Yeah I agree, there are some pretty gaudy cars out there. Haha, don't get me going on exhaust
I personally was looking for the Imola Grey Mercedes Benz marked 6 piston calipers myself. I have to admit though, The kid in me does like the "boy racer" look on some cars. For my SL, it wasn't quite the look I'm seeking. I was originally looking for the Maybach/S class calipers, since these are starting to show up at the wreckers/used parts markets.
But when the AMG calipers came up for $800 for the whole set F&R, I had to jump on them, AMG or not.
I plan to add to D49's post on r231 caliper/brake upgrade at some point. I have had to sort through the Brembo part numbers for the F-390/R-360mm brake upgrade for the SL550/450/400 R231's. & compatibility between other chassis. I see a lot of these caliper sets come up cheap, either mis-listed, or missing cross compatibility fitment in their listings....
It's an alternative to painting. It's completely "bolt on". And these 4000lb, 450HP cars need as much stopping power as possible...
Last edited by crconsulting; 11-04-2021 at 10:55 AM.
#23
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 962
Likes: 243
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
'19 CLS53, '19 SL550, '22 GLE53
The best option is to clear coat them in if you're going to power wash your wheels. I've used VHT caliper paint & clear coat in the past for customer cars and it worked well. Doesn't matter what type of paint though, if you're going to track them and use them hard, even the factory paint can discolor, fade or peel the clear coat.
#24
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 968
Likes: 451
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
https://www.ebay.com/itm/28443337941...p2047675.l2557
They are the same as the SL63 base 390mm brake, but not marked AMG. They’re a nice fit/look for a regular SL.
Key thing to look for, is caliper bracket 20.97A7.72 (supposed to be an “A” but people sometimes list that bracket as 20.9747.72) That bracket is shared across several chassis variants using the 390mm rotor.
Brembo part number:
These are the ones I ended up with.
SL63 AMG marked calipers.
Last edited by crconsulting; 11-04-2021 at 11:35 AM.