Caliper painting process
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,952
Likes: 4
From: Hollywood CA
2011 twin turboed prius
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 5
From: Sherman Oaks, CA
06 CLS55 w/ P030, 05 Jag S Type R, 05 TBird-68 Dodge Charger R/T-440 w/4speed I'm original owner
This is all labor. Think of this as a complete brake job and while doing the brakes repaint the calipers
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 11
From: PNW
2001 E430
My experience....
When I purchased the Brembo BBK for my W210 I bought them from two different sources. The fronts were new and silver and the rears were used and red. Obviously this wasn't going to fly.
I purchased the G2 caliper paint system.
First thing I did was thoroughly clean the calipers with brake clean. I then wet sanded them with 600 grit to give the paint a good tooth to stick to. I did this until the original paint was all dull with no shiny spots. I broke thru the original paint in some places but thats no big deal. Next I cleaned them really well again. I then taped off all the parts that shouldn't be painted. Since I used to work in a body shop I have my own painting equipment but I think you could probably get good results by using a preval sprayer and some people have even reported good results using the brush that comes in the G2 kit. I think the paint is designed to auto level. Once you mix the paint you only have a set amount of time to get it sprayed before it hardens so be ready. I also had a decal shop cut me out some vinyl stencils for the logos which I then sprayed with white G2. I've had them on my car about a year and a half and it is holding up quite well.
Unfortunately the pics are pretty crappy and don't do it much justice. The logos are crisp and clear in real life. Nothing like the photos. Also the color in the second pic looks way off.
Front
Rear
Recent pic
When I purchased the Brembo BBK for my W210 I bought them from two different sources. The fronts were new and silver and the rears were used and red. Obviously this wasn't going to fly.
I purchased the G2 caliper paint system.
First thing I did was thoroughly clean the calipers with brake clean. I then wet sanded them with 600 grit to give the paint a good tooth to stick to. I did this until the original paint was all dull with no shiny spots. I broke thru the original paint in some places but thats no big deal. Next I cleaned them really well again. I then taped off all the parts that shouldn't be painted. Since I used to work in a body shop I have my own painting equipment but I think you could probably get good results by using a preval sprayer and some people have even reported good results using the brush that comes in the G2 kit. I think the paint is designed to auto level. Once you mix the paint you only have a set amount of time to get it sprayed before it hardens so be ready. I also had a decal shop cut me out some vinyl stencils for the logos which I then sprayed with white G2. I've had them on my car about a year and a half and it is holding up quite well.
Unfortunately the pics are pretty crappy and don't do it much justice. The logos are crisp and clear in real life. Nothing like the photos. Also the color in the second pic looks way off.
Front
Rear
Recent pic
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,632
Likes: 150
C63s Cabriolet, BMW M4, Civic
Yes, but let just say if one want to paint their own caliber. That would cost alot of money around $400 and at least a week of down times of not be able to use their car.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 11
From: PNW
2001 E430
Yes powder coating is probably the best option but it sounded like the OP was looking for a DIY (which would probably exclude powder coating) and as another posted mentioned powder coating would lead to increased downtime, cost and also having to fully disassemble and rebuild the calipers.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
I painted mine myself. I even kept the calipers on the car and just taped off all parts that I didnt want painted, e.i. the rotors and...the car. Covered the car with garbage bags up to a part where I thought overspray might happen. Did the same thing with the rotors and because the garbage bag is thin enough I just tucked it behind the caliper and used painters tape to tape off metal brakets and such. I first cleaned the calipers with break cleaner and used a steel braded brush and sandpaper. Then I applied 5 coats of caliper paint from a spray can(left about 10 minutes inbetween coats). Added the decal back on. And then applied 2 coats of clear coat from a spray can. Its been on there for a year now and is perfect, looks real clean and like a stock caliper. Only thing is you need to clean them every once in a while because dirt and dust sticks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Per
above you can tape them oof and clean them well with non residue cleaner like crc mass air sensor cleaner(no residue at all and cuts carbon and grease like butter) then pick your VHT engine paint color and light coats till happy.Lasts for years and cheaper than caliper paint.
Powder coat,you would need to take the caliper apart before cooking in the oven.And you(if you take your time can do just as good a job as the pros)
get er done
Powder coat,you would need to take the caliper apart before cooking in the oven.And you(if you take your time can do just as good a job as the pros)
get er done
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: DFW
E350 Sport & Rs6
Personally, I would let a local paint shop do it! You need to strip the existing paint and then go through the normal painting process. Scuff, sand, prime, sand, paint, clear, wet sand.....so many steps to do it RIGHT!
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
I used the G2 kit on my 600HP Saleen Cobra... didn't sand, just used brake cleaner on the calipers. Taped off the pieces I didn't want in bright blue, and painted away. I did it with the car on jackstands, and didn't disassemble a thing.
It's a quick process. "Doing it right" means a lot of extra labor, and painting parts of the caliper that will never be seen unless the caliper is off of the car.
For a ~$40 kit, you can't beat it. I had my car almost 3 years after I painted the calipers, and they still looked brand new.
B
It's a quick process. "Doing it right" means a lot of extra labor, and painting parts of the caliper that will never be seen unless the caliper is off of the car.
For a ~$40 kit, you can't beat it. I had my car almost 3 years after I painted the calipers, and they still looked brand new.
B
