Proper Paint to Use

[RichV]

Can anyone let me know what paint will work best on the brake calipers? Brake fluid is nasty stuff and can strip regular paint. Any suggestions?

[IanDMacDonald]

I believe some use the VHT (sp?) Caliper paint.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Rich,
As Ian suggests VHT is a brand that offer a Caliper paint ( aerosol) but the VHT stands for very high temperarure as they offer other specific application paint too for headers and such.
I am not sure if the designation is for it's heat resistance vs it's resistance to brakefluid. In my experience wiping the spill off immediately saves the paint.
Phil

[RichV]

Thanks, looks like VHT it is.

I agree on the brake fluid. Just was wondering is something better has come out.

[TopCatGr58]

Thanks, looks like VHT it is.

I agree on the brake fluid. Just was wondering is something better has come out.

It has, it's called Powder Coating! Impervious to brake fluid! Just need a decent sized oven that you can hang the parts in to bake them in, you can get a rig for basic colors at harbor freight fairly cheaply!

T.C.

[GLoweVA]

It has, it's called Powder Coating! Impervious to brake fluid! Just need a decent sized oven that you can hang the parts in to bake them in, you can get a rig for basic colors at harbor freight fairly cheaply!

T.C.

So, how well would the powdercoat hold up to gas?

Oven is big enough for a gas tank.
I'd just have to make sure it's completely gas free first.

[mharrington]

Its ironic but brake caliper spray can paint.....will get eaten by brake fluid. Spray can stuff just isnt as durabale as automotive paint. In my experience the best spay can paint is PJ1. It is much much more durable to gas and brake fluid than the Dupli colors this and the VHTs that. Ive spilled brake fluid on my engine painted IN PJ1 engine case black and I simply wiped it off with no harm. The other engine- one of its side covers was painted in a satin black supposed ceramic paint for roll bars and bumpers (dont remember the brand from Auto Zone) and when I went to wipe off some brake fluid the paint came with it. GRRRR! The Eastwood Company sells a chassis spray can paint that is supposed to have a high amount of solids and be very durable.

Powder coating is the BEST but most expensive.
Automotive type single stage paint is next best but you need the equipment-mixing of the parts or pay someone to do it for you. (Paint it for you)

There is a product in a spray can called Spraymax 2000. It is just a clear coat in a can but it is true automotive clear coat. You have to smack the bottom of the can which in turn breakes a bladder inside and allows the hardener and clear to be mixed by shaking the can. You then have like 4 hours to use before it cures in the can! I want to try this stuff as I heard it works great for SMALL SCALE projects. Its about $20 per can. I plan to paint a frame black with gloss spray can paint but then coat it in the Spraymax clear.

Or you could just use the most conveinent spray paint you can find and be VERY CAREFULL to not get any brake fluid, gas, laquer thinner ect ect on it.

[jetmechmarty]

I used Duplicolor caliper paint. I am very happy with the results. No, it will not stand up to brake fluid. It shouldn't have to. Brake fluid is supposed to remain inside the system and not on the paint.

[RichV]

I used Duplicolor caliper paint. I am very happy with the results. No, it will not stand up to brake fluid. It shouldn't have to. Brake fluid is supposed to remain inside the system and not on the paint.

I used the Duplicolor Caliper Paint (Black) as well. Once the system was installed, I still had to touch-up the spots where the brake fluid got out during the initial bleed. Always a messy process until the lines are all filled.

[mharrington]

I bleed my brakes with a hand pump. Mine is a Mity Vac. With nice tight fitting tubes over the bleeder screw and clean rags tightly packed around the bleeder screw its possible to not get fluid on your freshly restored caliper. I like to lay towels over the engine and gas tank just in case I spill any fluid while filling the MC resevoir or working the break lever.

Some day I would like to get a garage sale oven and do my own small parts powder coating!! The stuff looks so darn good and incredibly tough!!!

[mharrington]

Gentlemen, I "Borrowed" one of these black paint markers from my employer. They work wonderfully for black touch ups!!

[crazy steve]

So, how well would the powdercoat hold up to gas?

Oven is big enough for a gas tank.
I'd just have to make sure it's completely gas free first.

It holds up very well.... BUT...

Powder is great stuff, but a poor choice for large sheetmetal bits like tanks and fender as it 'micro scratches' easily. You won't see this so much with dark colors or black on smaller parts, but on tanks it will become painfully obvious quickly. After all, it is a plastic coating. It's also nearly impossible to do any dent repair without it being visible on the finished piece.

There's a local coater who does tanks, but he clearcoats the powder with urethane for durability before he sends them out the door.

[RichV]

Gentlemen, I "Borrowed" one of these black paint markers from my employer. They work wonderfully for black touch ups!!

Will it blend well with an originally painted frame? The frame I need to paint really doesn't need it. It's in fairly good shape with only a few rust spots.

[TopCatGr58]

I don't know about the paint/pen but it probably will.

I used a spray on rust converter as a primer on my fenders before Painted them, hasn't rusted thru YET! JAT, sand, clean, spray with rust converter and then apply the outer color coat any way you want.

T.C.