Calipers Painted

[Howard]

Hi all,

Finally made the decision to paint the calipers gunmetal grey after my poll was inconclusive.

Looked around for caliper paints , seen some two pack ones , but all a bit expensive. Then i saw this guy on Ebay , seemed cheap enough so bought some.

A jiffy bag arrives with a small metal pot of paint , a normal decorating brush and a bit of P60 sandpaper. ' Hmmmmm ' thinks I ....

Anyway , sat down a wirebrushed the calipers , removed the rust and oxidisation as best i can , and dipped the brush in the paint , it's like treacle !

I realise that this isn't sounding good so far , but all i can say is 'WOW' - great stuff , no mixing , doesn't run , sets rock hard. Very very pleased. You basically ' daub ' it on , and it's so thick it finds its own level and dries smooth , don't try and paint it on traditionally , i just ' stippled ' it on ....

Now before anyone starts , i know , strictly speaking that i should have removed the calipers , sandblasted them , and all the other things you should do in an ideal world , but it isn't , and i didn't ....

All in all , a very nice finish , still loads of paint left , ( i imagine if you took the calipers off and prepped them absolutely perfectly , the finish would be even better ) so i might even give them a second coat.

Here is a link to the guys listing , i told him i would write up my findings on here.

CALIPER PAINT LINKY

And some piccys...

Before.

After.

 

[wobbly]

Looks much better Howard.

The finish looks like Hammerite.

 

[Howard]

I was thinking that , but this stuff is so thick , almost like a thin paste if you know what i mean .... also , needs no primer ...

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Great job, doesnt look like gun metal though?

 

[wobbly]

I was thinking that , but this stuff is so thick , almost like a thin paste if you know what i mean .... also , needs no primer ...

Sounds like Hammerite.

 

[Howard]

Hammerite is all watery isn't it ?

Anyway , i'm chuffed with it ...

 

[wobbly]

Nope Hammerite is very thick, you stipple it on and no primer needed.

Look at this in the hammered finish, even the colours are the same as on ebay.

http://www.hammerite.com/uk/products/ps_dtr_metal_paint_colours.html

It is Hammerite.

 

[Howard]

Oh well

 

[wobbly]

Still looks much better than those rusty calipers.

 

[Dieselman]

That looks loads better than before and the finish looks good.
I've got some hammerite and some proper aluminium paint, might give it a go.

Black hammerite or proper silver.....

or green like the Mrs' calipers...

 

[Howard]

On the car ?

 

[Dieselman]

On the car ?

Err..yes.... I'll tell her you said that...

 

[Howard]

Oh dear

 

[Dieselman]

Oh dear

Think PAIN...

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=60805

 

[mw_C32]

Hey Howard, you made the right choice there.

Looks really good.

Mark.

 

[pupsi]

Looking good!
Have been meaning to do mine but cant be asked to take the calipers off in this weather, its freezing.
You have inspired me now though to get off my ass.

 

[gurpz]

A smart move and looks miles better deffo worthwhile, all thats left is replacing those rusty bolts now

 

[Benzin]

Looks good now, as for the wheel bolts, you can easily get a set of plastic caps from a scrappy from most VAG motors or large Vauxhalls.

 

[Howard]

Might give these a go ...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=350125046763&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=022

 

[stats007]

Not sure about:

They can only be removed with a special tool and so adds to wheel security.

A pair of needle-nose pliers does the same job...

The Audi ones come with a different size cover for the locking wheel bolt as it's larger (17mm otherwise).