Caliper Question....

[adrian]

Hi all,

Just 2 questions.

My caliper decals arrived yesterday in the post so I started painting the calipes of the car last night.
I grinded them down with a wire brush drill bit as many owners do. I got the Halfords caliper paint. Only seeing that you can NOT re-coat after 12 hours I had only time to give them 4 coats, drying between coats.
I have only done the drivers side front and back. Do you think 4 coats is enough? You can only re-coat after 6 weeks so I may have to wait to apply my caliper decals for 6 weeks if another coat or two is recommended?

Also, I do not fully know the workings of brakes, pistons etc etc and only realised this last night.
When painting I masked off the disks, hoses etc but in the middle of the caliper yuo can see the back (or bottom) of the pad. I hope no paint got on this as am I right in saying that the pad moves in and out within the caliper and that paint my stick it to one position?

Thanks as always,

Adrian

[Speedyboy]

The force on the pad through the brakes would unstick the paint no problem just pump them a few times before going anywhere and you'll notice if there stuck.

[CJ]

Four coats should be plenty, not sure what this business about only recoating after 6 weeks (paint has to 'cure' maybe?).

A cheap tip for other owners who want to paint their calipers, use Hammerite smooth! Its cheap as chips and works just as well as branded caliper paint, I've used it on my last two motors without problem.

I wouldn't worry about getting paint on the back of the pad, the pistons at the rear of the caliper will look after things, if you start hearing a any strange noises from the front brakes, disassemble and copperslip the rear of the pads.

CJ