I am looking for a specific color which I can't seem to find. Could I use a normal spray paint color like rust-oleum or whatever brand then seal it with VHT clear caliper paint? Would the regular colored paint hold up under the high heat paint?

Note the base coat on the calipers already is painted with VHT caliper paint RED would like to switch to a key lime green. Thoughts?

 

First I would instantly recommend sanding off all the old paint on the caliper. Start with as clean of a surface as you can get.

Next, using normal paint + VHT caliper clear is essentially the equivalent of turning on an electric cook top, laying down a piece of cardboard, and placing a pan on top of it. The color coat most likely won't hold up to the brake caliper temperatures, however you can verify this by reading the can you wish to use.

Here is some information on the VHT Caliper paint webpage. The information towards the bottom of the page references curing (using heat for an hour, or using the brakes on your car to cure the paint). Personally, I would recommend against using normal Rustoleum paint as most types aren't able to handle the conditions under which braking occurs (weather, dust, heat, etc.)

I would however recommend either getting your calipers professionally painted or powder coated - or use the VHT caliper paint and cure it with a heat gun or similar heat source. I would recommend an oven but I'm guesstimating not the fact you'll be painting these on the car.

 

I'd have never guessed you could paint them on the car. Is it less trouble to mask the area than to remove the calipers? I'd imagine on the car...would present other obstacles like full coverage at all angles maybe...?

 

There are a few options in regards to painting calipers:

1) You leave the caliper affixed to the hub. You use masking tape, newspaper and any other medium to cover areas where you do NOT wish to apply paint. This can get a bit tedious as paint tends to go where the air takes it. It's recommended to do this in an area that is well ventilated but also does not have a large ammount of airflow. You do risk only painting certain angles of the caliper, but in this instance, you really are painting the areas that are visible from outside the wheel.

2) You unbolt the caliper from the hub and allow it to hang freely. This way, you have a bit more space to work with which will allow you to clean the caliper easier, and allow you to apply paint to all areas of the caliper. This method prevents you from having to be more precise with the areas in which you must cover to protect from overspray.

3) Remove the calipers from the hub and disconnect from the braking system. This method allows you to efficiently clean, prep and paint the entire surface of the caliper and allows for the best coverage. Yes - more work is involved. You've opened up the braking system and will need to drain the system, reattach calipers, refill the system and bleed accordingly.

4) Purchase an extra set of calipers - stock or upgrade to Akebono. This allows you to paint the caliper while maintaining drivability of the vehicle. Also, you would need to disconnect the calipers on the car and reapply using the method from option 3, however you aren't forced to a certain amount of downtime as your car is functional. Also, with an extra set - you could sell cleaned and prepped for paint. Or keep in the event you need to replace a caliper on your vehicle.

 

Use sand paper and or wire brush to remove old paint, clean with brake cleaner, then mask and use high temp caliper paint (regular paint will peel). Sealing with VHT clear caliper paint is a good idea, caliper will look smoother and better with it.

 

How about getting those calipers covers. I think they will look better.

 

Yep, these will get the looks

 

Painted calipers is one of those mods that REALLY makes a difference IMO (if BBK), it really shows a particular attention to detail, which to me is the hallmark of a well "built" car.

However, it also comes with a lot of $$$ and inconvenience (if you can't DIY & want it done right), so there's a cost/benefit going on