Calliper Color

[Leroy]

Re: Calliper Color

I think it's NM.s and the 16 Spoke, that I read somewhere that need spacers and and TBC will furnish them if you ask. Leroy

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[CapnRon]

Re: Calliper Color

The lugs are very close to the Merlot paint, but not an exact match. They
are anodized so they don't mark up all that easy. I am pretty sure I am going back to chrome lugs though.

[keithwand]

Re: Calliper Color

Nah. Wheels look nice but the lugs detract. No offense.

[Philstbirdhaven]

Re: Calliper Color

Just a thought,

Anothero option would be to have the calipers powdercoated. It requires removeing the calipers and bleeding the brakes but it would last forever. You should be pretty positive of the color you want thought. I got a quote for my RX8 and it was about $70.00 if you deliver the calipers to the shop.

Phil

[doubutsu]

Re: Calliper Color

I had mine powercoated, smooth, highgloss finish.

[Will]

Re: Calliper Color

I'd like to paint my calipers myself in my garage, so I'm looking for helpful tips. Choices of paints to use are mentioned above, but I'm wondering about masking the rest of the mechanicals under there -- can it be done with newspaper & masking tape? Other do's & don't's? Thanks, Will

[Gobird]

Re: Calliper Color

Will, Just tape off right around the caliper and make sure to clean them with thinner or alcohol. I wouldn't worry too much about getting a little over spray on the disc, it will come off the first time you use the brakes. It's real easy to do but I'm sure some will tell you to take all kinds of other steps but nothing else is needed with what I just said.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Calliper Color

Easiest and least expensive way to paint calipers that will last for a long time doesn't really require any type of expensive special caliper paint system .

Buy a small can of oil-base polyurethane enamel in the color of your choice from Home Depot, Lowe's or another store of your preference. Clean the calipers on the car with laquer thinner. Then use a couple of cheap paint brushes to put on a couple of coats (let them dry between coats).

The paint will dry smooth and glossy and look good for a long time. I used this method to paint them on my '93 Taurus SHO at least 8 or 10 years ago. The car has won many awards at the National SHO Convention over the years with calipers that were painted on the car, by me for $5 or so.

[Will]

Re: Calliper Color

Here's the conclusion to my post #21 above: I painted 'em black. Most things visible on a car are meant to be seen & are therefore designed to fit in with the overall look & feel of the car. But not calipers, in my opinion. They're visible & they are necessary, but they don't look very attractive -- so I made them disappear. I bought a house back in '94 from an elderly couple & the old guy left a lot of stuff for me in the basment, including a collection of cans of good paint -- stuff that was made before they figured out how to make it cheap. One was called Refrigerator & Stove Enamel from a company called TEX in, of course, Newark NJ. I figured if it's good enough for a hot stove, it's tough enough for my calipers. I cleaned & masked as suggested above, & daubed it on with a stryrofoam "brush." Two coats, with drying time in between. I'm happy with the results. Nobody has hollered at me, "Hey, you're missing your calipers," but they're kind of like the Cheshire Cat -- they're there but not visible. Thanks for your help. ----Will

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Calliper Color

Have you seen DavidA's calliper covers? They look good.

[Rondor]

Re: Calliper Color

With 16 spoke wheels they are a little less visable but I have thought about black if I paint them. I also like the thought of silver

[BITWTB]

Re: Calliper Color

Possibly paint the calipers black as Will suggests and add Thunderbird wings in teal or compatible color?

[Will]

Re: Calliper Color

Possibly paint the calipers black as Will suggests and add Thunderbird wings in teal or compatible color?

That would certainly look classy. The choices, as far as I can see, are (1) paint them on or (2) use a decal. Painted: You'd probably have to take the calipers off & drop them off at a truck-lettering shop, or find and artist (not difficult) who could paint the design. Decals: Are there any available in the TBN store? They would be subject to high heat & to a kind of road rash from gravel & stuff. Perhaps they could be protected with some type of sealant. The tiny Tbird emblems people put on their taillights might work with a strong epoxy, but clearance between wheel & caliper would have to be checked.

[BITWTB]

Re: Calliper Color

The wing painting might be done spraying over a template traced and cut out of heavy paper or light cardboard? I'd guess 2" wide.