[MSTGGT00]

Hey guys, knows it been a while, jumped state but just wanted to let you all know how the brake caliper job went. Decided to paint them myself rather then by them pre-painted for 145.

Materials:

1. 320 Grit Sandpaper (Walmart, 1.99)
2. Brake Parts Cleaner (Autozone, 0.99)
3. Red Brake Caliper Paint (Also comes in yellow, blue, white, etc) [Autozone, 4.99]
5. Hydraulic Jack (To be safe, blocks and a tire jack is dangerous, but i did 2 like that)
6. Painters tape, medium adhesion, blue. (walmart, 1.29)

Process:

--Prop Car Up, do 1 tire at a time--

1. Pop center cap off tire, remove 5 lugs using your tire iron (or get a new one that works better, either will do)
2. Remove the wheel.
3. Spray brake cleaner on the brake caliper (Metal item, probably dull, you'll notice it sticking out... if your not familiar with brake calipers). Careful to avoid getting cleaner on rubber hoses.
4. Throw some water on it.
3. Throw some water on cleaned areas. (You may not notice a huge difference, but it's there)
4. Take 320 grit sandpaper and scratch the entire surface decently. You'll notice an offset look on scored areas, make sure entire caliper looks like that. Be sure to do a good job, this is a big step in how the paint will adhere.
5. Tape off ALL the areas that are not to be painted, I mean all of them. Paint isn't easy to control in such a small environment, to be safe tape off everything.
6. Apply 1 coast evenly, don't worry about covering it all or over-spray. Wait 10 minutes and apply next coat focusing where you missed, evenly. Proceed to do this until coverage area appears to be good. If you notice small droplet sized areas the paint isn't taking to the caliper it's due to oil and dust on the caliper, you missed it during cleaning. Don't try to fix it, it's small, ignore it. You'll do more damage fixing it.
7. Wait 3-4 hours. Slide wheel back on and place bolts back on, torque to 25lbs. IF you DON'T have a torque wrench you can rent one at autozone, yes rent. You get your money back when you return it. Or use tire iron.

Detailed:
1. Slide wheel on.
2. Place lugs on in a criss cross pattern, aka one after the other across from each other tighten them max by hand.
3. Now tighten 1 turn past when it gets hard with a criss-cross pattern. Careful not to over-tighten.

(Drive 25 Miles, then check to make sure they aren't loose, if so re-tighten, you can by a new set of lugs at walmart for 2.50 if they are too stripped).

Repeat this for each wheel.

Results:

I just did my front, looks best. Results were amazing, alot more visually appealing then pre-painted, alot cheaper too. Fun project. I'd recommend it, gives your car a more sophisticated appearance.

I'll try and post pictures later.

[ATLmustang]

nice write up. im fixing to do mine as soon as it stops raining and the wind dies down

[02steedagt]

hey thanks for the write up, sounds great. can we get some pics of how the rotors came out?

[Baneful]

Nice on the DIY instructions. Some pics of how yours turned out would be cool. I plan on upgrading my brakes but this will be nice untill I actually get to replacing them.

[MSTGGT00]

Yeah, I'll get you some pics as soon as I can, probably in the morning. They turned out great, look alot sharper then the pre-painted ones.

[zkid01]

Congrats on the paint job. I am going to do mine as soon as i get home again (probably not for another 4months). Post some pics so we can see how it turned out.

[neckbonekat]

Originally Posted by MSTGGT00 Yeah, I'll get you some pics as soon as I can, probably in the morning. They turned out great, look alot sharper then the pre-painted ones.

Hey, I like my pre-painted ones! j/k

[afmustanglover]

if your feeling froggy or if you need to change your brake pads anyways you could always take the calipers of change the brakes then paint them.

[02steedagt]

neckbone... us normal gt's don't have RED calipers from the factory. (nope, not even my STEEDA )

[neckbonekat]

Originally Posted by 02steedagt neckbone... us normal gt's don't have RED calipers from the factory. (nope, not even my STEEDA )

I guess Steeda isn't perfect after all. LOL