going to paint brakes need advice

[irondiezl3]

so last year i painted my brakes and it lasted good for a year now all the rust is completely showing. so im replacing my calipers & drums and want to know the best steps to hopefully last longer than a year. im going to use caliper paint but should i prime them first? also is there something i can put on them to prevent rust? any tips advice appretiated!

[walkerj014]

You always want to prime bare metal. When I used to paint we used to wipe or clean the metal with solvent, then prime it. We used to use a zinc primer, the zinc stops rust from flashing or starting, but I don't know if they make a high temp zinc primer. Then finish paint

best way to clean it is sandblast or mediablast it, but the part is small and would prolly cost alot just for a small piece, then prime. Then finish paint then bake. like I said to much money for such a small piece.

[irondiezl3]

where can i get a zinc primer any store?

[walkerj014]

You can check your local autoparts store or I found this http://www.alvinproducts.com/Products/Products.asp?id=4

[cherrington17]

I cleaned mine, then used high temp caliper paint, in VERY thin coats. like 3-4 layers. Then clear coat in even thinner layers. 5-6 layers. Then done.

I've done 2 sets. Mine i did thick and heavy. The paint cracked from heat/cold and being thick. I replaced the calipers (both went bad) and didn't repaint them.

I did a friend's very thin, and they are still perfect. (about 1.5 years ago) not even a crack in the paint.

[irondiezl3]

do i need to clean them if they are new in box? thin coats sounds good im gunna see if i can get my hands on some of that zinc primer.

[walkerj014]

Atleast rub them or spray them down with brake cleaner or some type of solvent to get rid of factory residue (oil and what ever else the use to machine them) Then paint them. If you decide to prime it, you can go 1 thin coat on the primer 2 max. then let it dry and finish paint.

[irondiezl3]

the calipers on my car now that im changing out have no rust on them and they are 3 years old is that normal for calipers to stay rust free?

[cherrington17]

yes. most calipers are aluminum... they can't rust.

[irondiezl3]

wow i feel stupid im getting mine from napa unless you think there is a better place to go?

[domscox]

I have two Alero's and both of them have aluminum calipers front and back. They are both 2004 but not sure that makes a difference. I also have a full set of rear disc brakes laying around I would be willing to trade for something. That is if someone wants to swap out there drums.

[irondiezl3]

i wish i knew how to do that swap id do it in a second.

[domscox]

I dont buy anything from napa now that I get the 20 dollar credit at Auto Zone.

[irondiezl3]

someone posted az calipers are garbage?

[widbyj]

az calipers tend to be low-grade. I went through 5 front calipers to find two good ones - poor/wrong threading of brakeline connection and slide bars. At least I've got some spare hardware out of the deal.

Fresh calipers just need cleaning before paint, like ^^ said. I just tape off the critical spots, hang then from a string in the garage and then apply several light coats of "Caliper Paint" like thier directions say.

[colonel6632]

Originally Posted by irondiezl3

i wish i knew how to do that swap id do it in a second.

from what i've read. not hard at all. the brake lines are already there. it's basically bolt off old setup, bolt on new setup. but i can't say for sure. mine came stock with 4-wheel disc

[cherrington17]

Originally Posted by irondiezl3

someone posted az calipers are garbage?

that was me. i, also, went through 5 crap ones, before buying one from napa. looked brand new (all the AZ ones looked like they were junkyard specials)

and its working great.

AZ lost a customer due to crappy parts, and even more idiotic employees.
"yellow top optima's work in cars?! but its a boat battery!... I don't think you should use that"

*facepalm*

[irondiezl3]

hahahaha if u say napa then napa it is u have yet to dissapoint.