How to Paint Brake Calipers

Painting brake calipers can dramatically change the appearance of the entire car. However, for the new paint to adhere properly and withstand mechanical and chemical stress, the most important step is correct surface preparation. When using special effect paints, the complete paint system must then be applied – basecoat, effect paint and a protective clear coat.

1. Remove and prepare the brake caliper

The best results are achieved with the brake caliper removed from the vehicle. If you paint the caliper while it is still fitted, carefully mask and protect all surrounding components.

Paint must not be allowed to reach:

• brake discs and brake pads,
• friction, contact and mating surfaces,
• pistons and rubber dust boots,
• bleeder screws,
• threads and areas intended for mounting other components.

First remove dirt, corrosion, flaking old paint and any other loose or unstable coatings. Sand the surface thoroughly until it is solid, clean and properly prepared for the following paint layers.

2. Degrease the surface thoroughly

After sanding, remove all dust and thoroughly degrease the surface. For final preparation before painting, you can use HB Body 770 Antisil Silicone Remover / Degreaser Spray.

Do not underestimate the importance of degreasing. Residues of oil, silicone, brake fluid or other contaminants can cause poor adhesion, cratering or other paint defects.

3. Epoxy primer

On exposed bare metal, we recommend applying 2K PRO Epoxy Primer 400 ml Spray. The epoxy primer provides a high-quality anti-corrosion and isolating layer while improving adhesion of the subsequent materials.

Always follow the recommended number of coats, flash-off times and drying times specified for the particular product.

4. Filler and surface levelling

Brake calipers often have a rough or uneven surface. If you want to achieve a smoother painted finish, we recommend applying HB Body P360 2K Grey Filler Spray over the epoxy primer.

Once fully cured, sand the filler to the required smoothness. For final preparation before the basecoat, we recommend approximately P400–P600 dry, or a finer grade depending on the selected painting procedure.

If the surface of the caliper is already even and the epoxy primer has produced a sufficiently smooth finish, the use of a filler may not always be necessary.

5. Degrease again before applying colour

After the final sanding of the filler or primer, remove all sanding dust and thoroughly degrease the surface again. Only then should you proceed with the colour paint system.

6. Basecoat

Special effect paints require the correct colour basecoat. The colour underneath has a major influence on the final appearance of the effect.

For most Flip-Flop effect paints, pearl colours, Candy Pearl, holographic paints and glitter effects, we use PMcolours Black 1K Basecoat Spray.

Transparent Candy paints require a reflective metallic basecoat. A universal option is SilverTouch Pearl Silver Basecoat Spray. For selected warm Candy shades, you can also use SolarGold Pearl Gold Basecoat.

7. Special effect paint

Once the basecoat has flashed off correctly, you can apply the selected special effect paint. Our range includes, for example:

• Flip-Flop effect paints in spray cans – dramatic colour changes depending on the viewing angle,
• Candy paints in spray cans – transparent, deep and vibrant colours,
• pearl effect paints in spray cans – metallic and pearl effects.

Apply the paint in several thin, even coats. The exact number of coats and application method may vary depending on the selected effect, so always follow the instructions provided with the particular paint.

8. Finish with a 2K clear coat

The special effect paint must be protected with a transparent clear coat. For brake calipers, we recommend using a true 2K clear coat with an activated hardener to provide increased mechanical and chemical resistance.

For smaller projects, a suitable option is ColorMatic High Gloss 2K Clear Coat 200 ml Spray. The hardener is activated directly inside the spray can, and once fully cured the coating offers considerably higher resistance than a conventional 1K clear coat.

Apply the clear coat only after the effect paint has flashed off correctly and always follow the application instructions provided by the manufacturer.

When should you use high-temperature brake caliper paint?

During normal road use, brake calipers are not necessarily exposed to extreme temperatures. However, the situation can change considerably during sporty driving, long mountain descents, repeated heavy braking or track use.

If surface temperatures above approximately 100 °C are expected, conventional special effect paint systems may no longer be suitable.

For these applications, choose a dedicated high-temperature brake caliper paint with a temperature rating suitable for the expected heat load. Always follow the paint system and application procedure specified by its manufacturer.

Complete process at a glance

1. Remove corrosion, dirt and any loose or unstable old paint.
2. Sand the surface thoroughly.
3. Remove sanding dust and degrease the surface.
4. Apply epoxy primer to exposed bare metal.
5. Apply filler if required and sand it smooth.
6. Degrease the surface again.
7. Apply the correct basecoat for the selected effect.
8. Apply the special effect paint.
9. Finish with a high-quality 2K clear coat.
10. Allow the complete paint system to cure sufficiently before installation or exposure to heat and mechanical stress.

Correct surface preparation is just as important for the durability of the finish as the paint itself. When the individual layers are properly matched and given sufficient time to flash off and cure, brake calipers can be finished with striking Flip-Flop, Candy or pearl effects.