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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Powder Coating Brake Calipers



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      10-09-2012, 09:25 PM   #1
Maan
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Powder Coating Brake Calipers

I'm trying to powder coat my brake calipers. I will be doing this in my garage and already have equipment and everything. Also, I will be rebuilding the brakes with oem rebuild kit. I've seen some painted calipers on here but they look like crap; bumpy surface, ricer look, etc. Has anyone done this? Anything I should be aware about? Anything like metal expanding during the heat process where the piston are?

Does stock calipers have any kind of coating on them?

I will be def. sand blasting them and using the proper chemicals to remove all the residue from the surface of the brake calipers.

Any info will greatly be appreciated.
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      10-14-2012, 09:06 PM   #2
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Anyone?
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      10-15-2012, 02:06 AM   #3
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i think you will still have the rough finish that painting shows. The casting surface is just not smooth enough. You would need to sand them and polish them down for the look of BBKs
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      10-15-2012, 09:32 AM   #4
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I know nothing about powder coat paint, but remember that calipers can get up to 700-800 F while operating, and many paints melt at this temperature. Most caliper paint are ceramic based so that they can withstand the extreme heat-cool cycles.
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      10-15-2012, 10:14 AM   #5
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just paint them with a brake caliper paint. that is what i did cheap and has held up for years! I used the G2 kit.
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      10-16-2012, 05:51 PM   #6
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I really want to make them looks nice as possible and go the powder coating route. I will be sanding them down to get a smooth surface. I really don't want to paint them. Has anyone rebuilt the brakes here?
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      10-17-2012, 01:41 PM   #7
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I have to do a brake job this weekend and I'll take some pics of mine, they really came out good. The thing I like about the G2 paint is that it is thick and smooths out all the rough stuff without having to sand them. I've used it on my supra, eclipse,GTO and 335i. all of them held up with no chips or wear for years!
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      10-17-2012, 06:26 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chefcg1 View Post
I have to do a brake job this weekend and I'll take some pics of mine, they really came out good. The thing I like about the G2 paint is that it is thick and smooths out all the rough stuff without having to sand them. I've used it on my supra, eclipse,GTO and 335i. all of them held up with no chips or wear for years!
Sounds good. Upload the pictures when u get a chance.
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      10-18-2012, 07:54 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Meeni View Post
I know nothing about powder coat paint, but remember that calipers can get up to 700-800 F while operating, and many paints melt at this temperature. Most caliper paint are ceramic based so that they can withstand the extreme heat-cool cycles.

Good advice. Common powder coats are polyester, polyurethane, polyester-epoxy (known as hybrid), straight epoxy (fusion bonded epoxy) and acrylics. - check your powder's service temp range AND insulative properties! A powder coat can be quite thick, what you likely don't want.

Also, particularly on a casting, coating adhesion is a major issue. Assume you know about phosphate; sand blast if you have the electrostatic equip.

You'll want a coating w/thermolytic stability that enhances heat transfer.

Be careful! Boilin' brake fluid no fun at all!
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      10-18-2012, 09:40 AM   #10
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I removed the calipers on my last car and had them powdercaoted. If you plan on rebuilding the calipers you are going to have to remove the pistons to replace the seals. Powder coat is pretty thick, I don't know if you really need to sand them to get a smooth finish.
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      10-20-2012, 08:29 AM   #11
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here are a couple of pics of my G2 painted calipers. they are dirty, but you can see the paint covers the casting well.





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      10-20-2012, 08:48 AM   #12
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Can you show a larger picture of the red caliper with white paint? I'm balancing on doing that, but I'm afraid it looks too rice.
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      10-20-2012, 07:41 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Meeni View Post
Can you show a larger picture of the red caliper with white paint? I'm balancing on doing that, but I'm afraid it looks too rice.
I'll take a pic for you, I like rice though, especialy Jasmine and Basmati!
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      10-21-2012, 03:39 PM   #14
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not sure how much these pics will help you out with red brakes on white car since my wheels are so dark, but here you go anyway.



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      10-21-2012, 04:13 PM   #15
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I grinded down my calipers and removed the casting one day while I was bored.

I polished them down to a completeeeely shiny and smooth finish. If I were to paint them after this they definitely would look a lot better than painting right over the casting.
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      11-18-2012, 08:03 PM   #16
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Agreed with Doc G, unless you sand them down or somehow fill them they will look cheap with the cast finish they come with.
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