Newly painted callipers - paint on discs!

[Charlie2020]

Hi forum,

I’ve been planning to have my callipers painted and am close to booking them in. I have an A207 and my colleague has a similar one but all black. He had his callipers painted red and wheels gloss black by a firm that claim to do a ‘proper’ job by removing them fully, stripping down etc etc. I had a nose today and noticed red paint had rubbed off onto the discs! This was not present when he first got it back about a month ago. Obs I want to avoid the same happening to me so wondered what peoples thoughts are on it.

- is it because they painted them completely including the inside?
- is it just normal and will soon rub off?
(or)
- is it better practice to avoid painting the inside?
- could it be bad news for him/his braking system and he should complain right away?

I’ve never had callipers coloured before, so any advice/experiences much appreciated.

Cheers
Charlie

 

[OneForTheRoad]

That paint looks to be from when they painted the caliper the disc would of been in a different position. Obviously they didnt mask it off. Cant see it being a problem tbh.

 

[Charlie2020]

But apparently they take the whole callipers off? I’m certain it wasn’t there when he first got it back, I saw it a few times. Good to hear it shouldn’t be a problem, doesn’t look great though and I imagine it won’t be easy to get off. He’s calling them tomorrow so will hear their take.

 

[kianok]

Wheels were refurbed?

I’d probably find a different company if I were you.

 

[Charlie2020]

Yes gloss black, you can still see the glue on the rims, so I know he’s not driven it much. The problem is I tried two other places and they won’t do my callipers without doing the wheels because all the ramps are being used for £500 wheel jobs so it’s not worth their while. (£160 was the cost at the other place)

 

[Charlie2020]

I did find it strange they didn’t want the business or at least name their price though...

 

[Charlie2020]

I did find it strange they didn’t want the business or at least name their price though...

 

[Teego]

If it looks like a crock o' shite it is a crock o' shite. There is no "budget" way to do this job.

 

[kianok]

Looks as though they were painted on the car, no other explanation for the paint on the discs and location off the paint corresponds with callipers.

 

[Charlie2020]

You’re right, the three paint marks probably correspond to the holes in the casing. So they didn’t take it off, won’t be going there.

I’ll have to search on...thanks for your help!

 

[Merc220cls]

Painting brake callipers is a relatively simple task but a bit time consuming if you want to do it right.
With the calliper removed this gives much better access for cleaning and masking up before painting but they can be painted whilst in place.
The “company” who has painted these ones simply didn’t take the time to clean off any paint marks on the disc.
Personally I’m not a great believer in painting callipers in red or yellow as seems to be the “in thing” at the moment. I use an aerosol of high temperature silver paint instead and also paint the hubs which show up behind the wheel. Use several light coats and with careful use of the aerosol you can avoid runs. I.e. don’t just press full on with the nozzle but give it light squirts whilst keeping on the move gives perfect results.

 

[Charlie2020]

I plan to get mine done alloy blue (behind grey anthracite wheels).

Partly to match my tacky alloy blue steering wheel ring!

 

[alabbasi]

I would have gone with a vinyl wrap on the discs myself

 

[LeeJV]

BCS automotive are a good company, they offer full refurbs and painting at really competitive prices, have used them in the past with great results.
Most pre mixed caliper paint is horrible to use.
If your doing it yourself, its quite simple to remove the caliper, just use EXT paint, apply a high temp foil backed decal, then EXT clearcoat.
if you don't have the correct tools to remove the caliper it makes it a pain and very difficult to do them while on the car.

 

[Charlie2020]

Her cheers for the heads up! I’ve not found them before so will get a quote tomorrow. Their work looks if good quality in the website.

with regards to doing it myself. The masking and painting/spraying would be easy (ex stencil/graff artist), but with mechanics I’m useless and greatly fearful. I won’t be using any tools on my car full stop. (or even unclipping panels!)

 

[bob6600]

There is a thread on BCS (by ash59fifty-uk) who used them with no complaints. I posted questions in there as I had read a couple of mixed reviews and was concerned as Audi had sent my calipers there however I can't fault them. Paintwork was spot on and the they had new seals etc.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Problem with brakes is, if you do them yourself and I don’t care who you are, they look crap... if you pay a ‘pro place’ to do it yet they only charge a couple of hundred, they’ll look crap

The only place I’ve seen (and with good reviews) that do colour changing on callipers and wheels is tintech in Nottingham, although it’s clear they’re not removed and stripped etc.

BCS although pricey for some, look the dogs nuts

You pays yer money... as they say

 

[Topcat2006]

I can recommend Bigg Red in Worcester. I took them my calipers from my XC90 and they stripped them, media blasted them, painted them and returned them with new seals and pistons.

Not cheap iirc about £180 for the four but did a fantastic job which after 4 years were looking as they had just been done.

 

[ioweddie]

They look horrible...and the wheels need refurbing

 

[SmartAmg]

Problem with brakes is, if you do them yourself and I don’t care who you are, they look crap... if you pay a ‘pro place’ to do it yet they only charge a couple of hundred, they’ll look crap

The only place I’ve seen (and with good reviews) that do colour changing on callipers and wheels is tintech in Nottingham, although it’s clear they’re not removed and stripped etc.

BCS although pricey for some, look the dogs nuts

You pays yer money... as they say

Here we go again Ash, i
agree your calipers look great, from BCS, but for £400
they should do, I did mine meself, and on the car, and they look fine, certainly not crap, ok if you got down on your hands and knees and looked at them closely they ain't perfect, but just walking past the car or the car moving they look good, and for £10
and my time, they'll do for me.