caliper paint

E

Emily333

New member
Hey Guys,

I know the professional answer to this is that it's a waste of time, but do you have any feasible suggestions for painting my calipers black without a total strip-down of the calipers?

I am getting black Ohlins 803s (I think nick posted it?) so want the calipers black, but it sounds like a collosal PITA professionally.

I am decent at prep work and have had 'moderate' success in the past doing the undoable, paint-wise, I'm just not sure in this case.

Mask, degrease very well, scuff with say 800 and shoot some black colorrite poly and clear it (mist on the clear, just to protect it, no shinies!)?
 
I would immaigine that a high heat paint that can do 1000*F will hold up. I've cooked off 1k paint many many times on race cars however but bikes have essientally no braking compared.
 
Yeah,

High heat for sure.

I repainted my '68 Nova's entire engine block burnt orange with some high heat paint spray I purchased from a local auto store. It came out perfect Look around you'll be able to find it anywhere.
 
I've painted calipers with them high heat caliper painting kits and they work really well. Only thing you have to be meticulous about is cleaning but liberal sprays of brake clean will do it.
 
Thanks for all the tips guys. I'll look for a proper caliper painting kit online, and make sure I'm meticulous with the prep work. I'll also PM nick and ask him if he knows the code of the black they used on the Ohlins so I can hopefully match it up

Shawn
 
On a street bike you don't need hi temp paint.

To substantiate this I was riding with a small group a high speeds on some twisties. This ride used a LOT of heavy braking during about 50 miles of flogging with some bikes heating the brakes to the point of near fade. When we stopped I was curious as to the temperature of the calipers.

I was surprised that I could almost hold my hand on the caliper for perhaps 10 seconds which reflects a temperature of approximately 150 degrees F. Normal solvent based enamel paint can take a bit more than 250F without driving all the plasticizers out of it therefore retaining color. If were to paint them I'd just use good old enamel rattle cans in the color of my choice. Note that matte or flat colors will work better at temperature as there is no shine to lose.

Think of paint curing. Enamels are routinely oven cooked at 250-300F for a thorough bake out.
 
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