300zx caliper painting gone bad [Archive] - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

brage

01-18-2003, 04:52 PM

Doh... I had painted my calipers with black glossy ceramic engine paint about a week ago, and upon recommendation from friends who said it may get rock chipped, etc, that I should clear coat the calipers as well. So I picked up a can of the clear ceramic engine paint to clear-coat the calipers with b/c I wanted it to have the same heat withstanding ability as the underlying paint. I had let the paint cure for 5 days (actually 6) since painting the black on the calipers before I set out to clear coat them - and lucky for me after all that work the paint is ruined :(. I plan to get all the paint off now with a wire wheel and polish the calipers. Maybe it will look better polished and clearcoated :)

pics: (unfortunately I don't have a good picture after they were painted black and the nissan letters were sanded to a brushed aluminum look)

http://www.turbo240sx.com/paint/paint.jpg
The paint cans..

http://www.turbo240sx.com/paint/good.jpg
Just after applying the clearcoat

http://www.turbo240sx.com/paint/bad.jpg
moments later... destroyed :(

back to the drawing board - worse off than I was before

-jeff

s14vaxlr8

01-18-2003, 05:20 PM

is anybody else confused about wtf happen or is the problem here...i cant figure it out, maybe ive just been starring at this screen too long at work:rolleyes:

SilviaDriver

01-18-2003, 05:39 PM

well in the pics they look good. wat kind are they? iron or aluminum?

brage

01-18-2003, 06:09 PM

SaintlyCharBoy

01-18-2003, 10:56 PM

depending on your application techniques it could really be a lot of problems....

most likely the solvent in the clear paint "ate" away at the once smooth black finish, and it bubbled up with the clear

live2drift2live

01-18-2003, 11:05 PM

Yeap thats what happend ^^^^. From my knowledge (which is small) about paints is that what happened there was that a chemical in the paint eats away at the underlaying materials. It is meant for like oil and other crap that doesnt all get off and thus turning this crap into gases which causes the bubbling. Your black paint was this crap. So after the chemistry lesson. I say you polish them and clear coat. But in the end thats just my 2 cents.
JBM

brage

01-18-2003, 11:25 PM

Got started poishing them (used wire wheel on a grinder)

So far...

http://www.turbo240sx.com/calipers/polished.jpg

PS live2drift2live - I decided to polish them b4 reading your post... funny :)

AKADriver

01-18-2003, 11:32 PM

BLING BLING :cool:

Tyler Durdan

01-19-2003, 03:07 AM

I just finished rebuilding mine earlier today, and applied a couple coats of cast iron paint on them. Good thing I read this, because I was just about to go for a layer or two of clear coat...that's out the window.

matt0941

01-19-2003, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by brage
Got started poishing them (used wire wheel on a grinder)

So far...

So far? You gotta leave em like dat! :D

1 Dirty Truck

01-19-2003, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by brage
Got started poishing them (used wire wheel on a grinder)

So far...

http://www.turbo240sx.com/calipers/polished.jpg

PS live2drift2live - I decided to polish them b4 reading your post... funny :)

Shoot after seeing that I have a valve cover I am taking to work to polish. WOW.

I thought the wheel grinder hooked my tools up but if those were the results for your calipers my cover is going to look fantastic.

brage

01-19-2003, 06:41 PM

after using the wire brush, you'll want to use a cotton buffing wheel with black buffing compound.. also make sure to use the fine wire brush with the brass plating. (you'll know what I'm talking about if you go to the grinder section of a hardware store)
-j

-E-

01-19-2003, 06:47 PM

wow brage the polished caliper came out nice

96SEChick

01-19-2003, 06:53 PM

The polishing came out very nice!! What color is your car? S13 or S14? (just trying to get a visual of what it will look like). Great job!!

brage

01-19-2003, 06:58 PM

Got the other one polished up and installed them today... look great!

pics:

Before:
http://www.turbo240sx.com/calipers/before.jpg

After:
http://www.turbo240sx.com/calipers/after.jpg

sechick - it is a pearl white 1995 SE (S14)

-Jeff

96SEChick

01-19-2003, 07:02 PM

Those look very nice!! Thanks for the pics--now I don't have to imagine what it may look like. It almost looks like you had them chromed!! Great job! Have you thought of maybe shooting them w/ some clear coat so you won't have to re-polish them?

Also, will wheel cleaner possibly leave spots on un-coated polished aluminum? I know it does on some un-coated wheels. I would hate to have your hard work ruined the next time you clean your wheels.

BTW--nice wheels!!!

1 Dirty Truck

01-20-2003, 12:45 AM

Would it be worth it to clearcoat them after the polishing?

s13rookie

01-20-2003, 12:54 AM

looks really good, almost makes me want to bust out my die grinder and start polishing my fenders

Grant

01-20-2003, 02:41 AM

Damn, havent you guys heard of powdercoating? :-D..

anyways, if you paint the calipers, best to use CALIPER PAINT. engine paint was not made for that.
It'll start falking off eventually.

Rownan

01-20-2003, 07:18 AM

Originally posted by 96SEChick

Also, will wheel cleaner possibly leave spots on un-coated polished aluminum? I know it does on some un-coated wheels. I would hate to have your hard work ruined the next time you clean your wheels.

BTW--nice wheels!!!

Good point! I would really like to polish my Z32 calipers but I am also afraid that aweek later they will be dull again.. Perhaps if I hit them with some silver paint? Or does the clear coat lock the polish in? I am curious.

brage

01-20-2003, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by 96SEChick
Those look very nice!! Thanks for the pics--now I don't have to imagine what it may look like. It almost looks like you had them chromed!! Great job! Have you thought of maybe shooting them w/ some clear coat so you won't have to re-polish them?

Also, will wheel cleaner possibly leave spots on un-coated polished aluminum? I know it does on some un-coated wheels. I would hate to have your hard work ruined the next time you clean your wheels.

BTW--nice wheels!!!

Yeah, I'm sure I'll have problems with dulling and wheel cleaner problems... I applied some wax to them to help, but I'll probably be pulling them off every six months or so to touch them up... its really easy to take them off and put them back on - especially with russel speed bleeders!

The poloshing is cake too... a quick run with a wire wheel and a cotton buffing wheel and they'll be sexy again :)

I'll keep you folks updated on how they dull (if they do) I was afraid to use clearcoat because: A) It may yellow! B) it would get rock chips anyway.

I did not get them powder coated because: A) it requires disasembling the pistons/seals (which I just rebuilt...) and B) I didn't want a flat color.

-j

I'm sure they will get dirty, but I could give a f.uck less b/c

Tyler Durdan

01-20-2003, 11:16 AM

Quick question:

Is your brake pedal real mushy feeling? I just put mine on, and have bleed the fronts pretty damn well, and the brake pedal feels incredibly mushy...I know it's the norm for them to be mushy feeling, but I don't know if it's supposed to be this mushy. Any thoughts or suggestions would help.

Twinturbozs

01-23-2003, 11:36 AM

upgrade the MC to a z32 1 1/16" bore

uiuc240

01-23-2003, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by Tyler Durdan
Quick question:

Is your brake pedal real mushy feeling? I just put mine on, and have bleed the fronts pretty damn well, and the brake pedal feels incredibly mushy...I know it's the norm for them to be mushy feeling, but I don't know if it's supposed to be this mushy. Any thoughts or suggestions would help.

YOU MUST BLEED ALL FOUR BRAKES.

The system is closed. Air up front becomes air out back.

Eric

Tyler Durdan

01-23-2003, 03:46 PM

Yeah...I solved this problem the same day I posted that. I didn't realize this topic was still going. Thanks for the help though.

1 Dirty Truck

01-23-2003, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by Twinturbozs
upgrade the MC to a z32 1 1/16" bore

Do the lines mate up? 1993 240sx stock to z32?

INeedNewTires

12-09-2007, 11:29 PM

widegts

12-09-2007, 11:37 PM

I paint calipers and hope this helps...

--- i use/used th same things you just mentioned here on the thread ---

LET DRY means, 10minutes between each coats, because doing it slow and right, is better then fast and do it again! haha

1- spray a dry coat (mist) of black, cover all areas, but just lightly

let dry

2- spray a medium coat - a bit slower pace but not enogh where it covers it all black yet

let dry

3- spray wet coat, where in the end the whole caliper is black now and nice and glossy

let dry

4- do the same w/ the clear

.. and you should be fine

---

i made up that way of painting calipers in the end, because I have to teach random people who work for me how to do it, and I had to figure out a near fool proof way of doing it the right way all the time... haha so i dont waist money

jspec240

12-09-2007, 11:58 PM

Anyone heard of glass beading the calipers? just to freshen them up, then using the clear coat?

if anyone has any input please LMK

Calipers look dope polished.. +1 and props

MURPHY

12-10-2007, 12:01 AM

hey peeps anyone notice that.... THIS THREAD IS ALMOST 5 YEARS OLD!

Tops*

12-10-2007, 12:02 AM

couple of quick questions, i was just about to sand blast my calipers to remove paint, i guess it would be easier and cheaper to do the wire wheel technique though huh? Also, do any of you guys think that painting/powder coating would lessen the calipers heat dissapation? i mean its probably minimal but hey figured i'd get ya'lls opinions.

I'd go ahead and agree with all your answers you gave to your own questions.

This thread was started two days after I turned 15. widegts, you knew that, right? :keke:

JRas

12-10-2007, 12:02 AM

is anybody else confused about wtf happen or is the problem here...i cant figure it out, maybe ive just been starring at this screen too long at work:rolleyes:

I am also confused no idea how they got ruined maybe he forgot to include that vital piece of information.

just get em powder-coated

ixfxi

12-10-2007, 12:43 AM

Damn, havent you guys heard of powdercoating? :-D..

anyways, if you paint the calipers, best to use CALIPER PAINT. engine paint was not made for that.
It'll start falking off eventually.

hahahaha

YUP

when it comes to calipers, DONT WASTE TIME with bullshit like paint

pc that shit and quit being a poosay. :-) get and do the rears as well, PERIOD>

do it all or dont do it at all.

widegts

12-10-2007, 01:47 AM

yup, powder coat will be best, but the seals and such have to be removed and the bare caliper only...

haha this thread is 5years old! holly cow~!

ixfxi

12-10-2007, 02:41 AM

yup, powder coat will be best, but the seals and such have to be removed and the bare caliper only...

haha this thread is 5years old! holly cow~!

no they dont

seals can withstand some serious temps, so you can PC them since most ovens only reach maybe 400f...

i typically remove the pistons and piston seals, but the main o-rings are left alone

xamraci

12-10-2007, 10:49 AM

They are aluminum... the black paint looked GREAT... it was when I applied the clear coat that decomposed the underlying black paint that got me... I think that ceramic engine paint must have some penetrating properties

maybe the black paint needed to cure longer! (6 days and still not cured - ****e)

:(

-jeff

You have to use paints that say they can be USED together, and the engine enamel has to sit for a LONG period of time before you apply a coat of clear to it...I have painted a few Valve covers in my day and a few sets of NSX calipers...Read the back of the can and make sure the types are compliant with eachother

Also read the steps, now take them back down to metal re-read the can and apply away, I would suggest a HIGH temp FLAT black for a base coat, then the next day apply the gloss, then the next day apply the clear...it took me 2-3 days to do a valve cover with HT Cummins Tan, and 2-3 days for my NSX brakes with HT flat and gloss black

Time is Key...patience is key

and a SIDE NOTE...since this thread is beyond dead and gone and I DIDNT NOTICE...

www.maximalperformance.com (http://www.maximalperformance.com) can do powdercoating of all 4 calipers for 125-150$ shipped back to you

ixfxi

12-10-2007, 10:54 AM

www.maximalperformance.com (http://www.maximalperformance.com) can do powdercoating of all 4 calipers for 125-150$ shipped back to you

and most PC shops that dont have websites charge much much less

xamraci

12-10-2007, 11:03 AM

and most PC shops that dont have websites charge much much less

I havent had anything powder coated before...thats the price of 4 rebuilt calipers and powdercoating on all four brakes...seemed reasonable

Harbe

12-10-2007, 11:59 AM

painting calpiers with engine paint looks good for a month

MegasquirtCA

12-10-2007, 05:41 PM

I charge about $80 to powder coat brake calipers.

infinitexsound

12-10-2007, 06:30 PM

should of just used vht caliper paint... those polished calipers wont last, if u dont clear coat it...

Harbe

12-11-2007, 08:11 AM

caliper paint sucks too just get them powder coated and be happy

98s14inaz

12-11-2007, 08:20 AM

hey peeps anyone notice that.... THIS THREAD IS ALMOST 5 YEARS OLD!

Wow this brings back memories. Jeff doesn't have the car anymore iirc. I was there when he painted those calipers. Something in the clear coat broke down the black that was already on the calipers. There really isn't any need for clear coat on those if you paint them correctly. Call it a learning experience I guess.

Baron Fel

12-11-2007, 08:33 AM

LOL I saw the pictures in this thread and got excited because someone else in AZ has Borbets... but then I saw how old it was and who's wheels they were... I have jeff's wheels now... lol oh well

Slidin240Wayz

12-11-2007, 09:38 AM

hey peeps anyone notice that.... THIS THREAD IS ALMOST 5 YEARS OLD!

It's better than making a new one. People are told to search, he did the right thing.

IFXFI,
Interesting fact about not having to take the calipers completely apart. How hot do you figure calipers get on a road course? What about when they are the cicuit and the rotors turn red?

Carlos

INeedNewTires

12-11-2007, 06:34 PM

It's better than making a new one. People are told to search, he did the right thing.

Thank you for backing me up. So an update, i have since polished one rear caliper with a brass wheel and it looks kinda chunky. I didnt push too hard and i went smooth and tried different RPM's it just didnt turn out very smooth. I may be getting the same results that the origional poster got and just cant tell from the pics. But my question is If i get the calipers sand blasted will that give me a better result? i'm going to block off the bleeder valve and other fluid holes as well as tape off the seals but could this potentially be bad or screw something else up? your input is appreciated. heres a few *high res* pic of how mine looks. maybe i'm just being anal but it doesnt impress me. and sblasting is only 25 bucks for all 4.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee309/ineednewtires/P1000703.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee309/ineednewtires/P1000704.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee309/ineednewtires/P1000705.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee309/ineednewtires/P1000707.jpg

WERDdabuilder

12-11-2007, 06:41 PM

no they dont

seals can withstand some serious temps, so you can PC them since most ovens only reach maybe 400f...

i typically remove the pistons and piston seals, but the main o-rings are left alone

hm...so i dont have to take my calipers apart to get them PC eh?

millworkman

12-11-2007, 07:06 PM

I am pretty sure that is just how aluminum works when you use a wire wheel. When I cleaned up my 300zx rears with a Dremel and brass wheel the exact same thing happened. Just put an extra coat of paint and you will be fine.

INeedNewTires

12-11-2007, 07:18 PM

no thats the whole thing, i do not want to paint! i like more of a bare metal look plus i believe it would be better for heat dissapation (although maybe minimal) i hate painted crap when i can be bare. i was just thinking it could be smoother but maybe not!?

To answer my question has anyone sandblasted calipers before and if so are there any potential risks involved in doing this?

ThatGuy

12-11-2007, 07:22 PM

Now that you've got it cleaned up, you can use smaller and smaller grits of sandpaper to make it smooth. Just takes time and patience.

Not sure if sandblasting would help or not.

millworkman

12-11-2007, 08:08 PM

It seems that sandblasting would pit it worse than it looks now. I like the way it looks almost combed and left mine like that.

MegasquirtCA

12-11-2007, 10:07 PM

Ummm thats why sandblasting has different medias DUH.

You can use Glass bead 80 grit to smooth out the surface. Aluminum Oxide is great as well it'll chew through anything and leave decent surface.

SHIFT_Slide

12-12-2007, 11:04 AM

I wire wheeled my calipers cause they came painted, I really didn't care so I pushed down extra hard and put the drill on the highest speed lol.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5816/dsc03379rv4.jpg

INeedNewTires

12-12-2007, 01:26 PM

Alright well either i sandblast my calipers tonight or not it's come down to the wire. time to decide so does anyone have any experience with sandblasting them maybe with pics? if not i may just say screw it and wire wheel them.