Painted Brake Calipers Dress Up Any Ride

DIY

Brakes and Brake Parts

Mark Bach

May 18, 2023

Mark Bach

May 18, 2023

Painting your brake calipers is an easy one-day DIY project - opens in new window or tab.. Why not dress up the drab caliper with some color?

Shop now for brake caliper paint - opens in new window or tab.

Painting disc brake calipers is an easy project that can dress up your vehicle and help draw attention to your wheels. Modern open wheel designs, without hubcaps, mean that the caliper is on display.

Options Other Than DIY Painted Calipers

Before we explore the process of painting calipers, there are some other options.

Rough Country brake caliper covers — Rough Country caliper covers are a popular choice for 4X4s.

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Brake caliper covers - opens in new window or tab.. These covers go over your existing caliper. They are easy to install and can be easily changed out. Matching a specific hue might take more work.
Powder coating - opens in new window or tab.. The final finish is durable and rock-hard, with limitless color options. But you have to disconnect the calipers from the brake system, wait for your powder coater to return them, and re-install and bleed the hydraulic fluid.
Purchase painted calipers. Brake makers have jumped on the color wagon and offer calipers in various colors. If you need new calipers - opens in new window or tab. anyway, you could buy a set already painted.
Vinyl wrap - opens in new window or tab.. Some vinyl wraps can withstand the high heat of brakes. They are trickier to apply because of the curved surfaces. But they can be easily removed if you decide to swap out colors.
Pay a shop to paint calipers. Pricing varies, but $500 or more for four calipers is typical. You can do it yourself when you see how easy it is.

Painting Caliper Process

If your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes, it is easier to lift the vehicle off the ground with jack stands and do all four at once. But you could do one axle at a time.

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Painting a brake caliper hanging on a wire

Lift the car, safely secure it with jack stands - opens in new window or tab., and remove the wheels.
Wipe away any debris and dirt (you’ll need to do this several times).
Loosen the caliper bolt/s and lift the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with a sturdy wire hanger or place it on a bucket or support piece. Do not let it hang by the brake hose - opens in new window or tab..
Remove the brake pads and clips.
Spray the caliper with brake cleaner, and wipe it down again.
Take a wire brush and scrape the caliper, loosening any remaining dirt.Some caliper castings may initially have rough sections, so if you want a smoother finish, take some 100-grit sandpaper and eliminate any rough parts.
Spray with brake cleaner and wipe down again.
Use plastic, paper, aluminum foil, and cardboard to cover all the parts you don't want the spray paint to cover. The overspray can be extensive, so cover everything near the caliper.
Prepare a 50/50 mix of water and isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and wipe down the caliper one last time.
Spray the caliper with the paint. Use several light coats of paint, waiting five minutes between coats. This should eliminate any drips and runs.
Take your time, and when you have sufficient coverage, stop.
Some owners wait for the paint to dry, flip the caliper over, and do the backside. But the back of the caliper is rarely visible, so decide if you want to add this step.
After the paint has dried, attach the brake pads and clips.
Re-attach the caliper to the rotor and torque the bolts.
Re-attach the wheel, lower the car off the jack stands, and admire your work.

Brake Caliper Paint

Since the caliper is subject to intense heat, you want paint designed for high temperatures. There are some finishes designed specifically for painting calipers.

Enamel paint - opens in new window or tab.. This option is generally the cheapest and and often comes in a spray can.
Ceramic paint - opens in new window or tab.. This paint is more resistant to both heat and chips than enamel. Some are aerosol, and some come in a can and are brushed on.
Two-part epoxy - opens in new window or tab.. Typically, epoxy offers the most impact resistance and tolerates the highest heat. Two-part epoxy must be accurately measured, mixed, and applied with a brush. If you want to use a spray gun, the epoxy must be thinned out, following the brand’s recommendations.

These brake caliper paints come in various colors, and you should be able to find one that fits your car or truck. Some brands recommend using a primer before painting and clear coating the caliper before re-installing. Follow the recommendations of your specific paint brand.

Over time, rocks and debris might chip off the paint. So keep some color on hand for touch-ups as needed. Expect the paint job to last three to five years.

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About the author

Mark Bach

Mark C. Bach has oil in his veins and remembers feeler gauges and brake springs. He has a love for all things that move, especially old-school muscle cars. Bach writes for a variety of outlets, including Chevy Classics and FuelCurve.com, and maintains Route66pubco.com.

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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.