Pondering Painting Brake Calipers

I M STIG · 03-23-2012, 01:02 AM

Okay, so I've been thinking of painting my brake calipers...

What paint should I use? I'll definitely search around for the right person to paint them for me, because my calipers would end up looking horrible if I did it.

I think I'm going to go with yellow, though. What do you guys think?

THE TECH · 03-23-2012, 09:14 AM

Don't paint the stockers.

I M STIG · 03-23-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Don't paint the stockers.

Then what should I do? I don't want to buy a brake kit.

THE TECH · 03-23-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeBMW2

Then what should I do? I don't want to buy a brake kit.

Leave them be.

Templar · 03-23-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeBMW2

Okay, so I've been thinking of painting my brake calipers...

What paint should I use? I'll definitely search around for the right person to paint them for me, because my calipers would end up looking horrible if I did it.

I think I'm going to go with yellow, though. What do you guys think?

I agree with TECH, they'll probably look bad either way, unless you get a new kit.

Just my 2 cents, I think painting them looks cheap.

THE TECH · 03-23-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Templar

I agree with TECH, they'll probably look bad either way, unless you get a new kit.

Just my 2 cents, I think painting them looks cheap.

+1

People have gone ahead and done it but it just looks like a Civic.

Kyoshi71 · 03-23-2012, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Leave them be.

Agreed +1

M3PO · 03-23-2012, 12:43 PM

Agreed with all of the above. The stock brakes are unattractive. Adding paint will make their unattractiveness even more noticeable.

GOVCO · 03-23-2012, 01:29 PM

Unattractive in what sense. All you need is a high gloss black paint. Not emblems. It's been done I'm sure. We're not talking about putting cheap paint on like maybe a Civic might of had, good stuff.

DarkstarZero · 03-23-2012, 01:37 PM

I saw someone who painted the ///M logo indentation on the calipers with the correct M colors. It looked really nice but I could tell that he had to be some paint master because it was perfect. It would be something that you would have to get done at a real professional place because if you do it wrong, it'll be horrible, but if you do it right, it looks OEM.

I M STIG · 03-23-2012, 04:42 PM

I was going to have a real pro do it, I'd screw it all to hell, haha. I would have never done it, but my dad had the calipers of my mom's C6 Corvette painted yellow a few years ago, and shockingly, they looked great! Whoever did them did a fantastic job, because it looked like they could have come from the factory.

I definitely want to do it, but I'm willing to spend the money to have a real professional do them, which would be a good bit cheaper than to buy new brakes, I'd think...

OMID INC · 03-23-2012, 05:01 PM

i would leave it alone too. it wont look nice and fancy like a brembo. there arent many smooth paintable parts on the stock calipers. it might look cheap. i was tempted to do it but never did because of the risk of looking cheesy. dont draw attention to the stocks.

M3PO · 03-23-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOVCO

Unattractive in what sense. All you need is a high gloss black paint. Not emblems. It's been done I'm sure. We're not talking about putting cheap paint on like maybe a Civic might of had, good stuff.

Firstly, they are already gloss black. Second, the stock sliders are not pretty like a big monoblock caliper. Do you really want to show off the fact that your $70K sports car came with one piston sliders that will fade in a couple of laps? Not me.

onnex · 03-23-2012, 05:39 PM

If you like the way the painted calipers look, go for it– who gives a shit. The painted stock calipers might not look good to some (or even most) people, but if you just want some contrast behind your wheels to go along with a theme or something, then do it. If you look at how half the clowns on this forum mod their car, they are in no positions to be dishing out style tips.

aus · 03-23-2012, 06:03 PM

I've seen a painted caliper on an E92 M3 look good, but it was a very bright red and he painted the spring. From a distance, my friend thought it was a BBK.

.

I M STIG · 03-23-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onnex

If you like the way the painted calipers look, go for it– who gives a shit. The painted stock calipers might not look good to some (or even most) people, but if you just want some contrast behind your wheels to go along with a theme or something, then do it. If you look at how half the clowns on this forum mod their car, they are in no positions to be dishing out style tips.

This actually gave me a good laugh. Thank you, sir, for seeing it the way I do sometimes, hahaha.

I'm still so unsure. I'd like to paint them yellow for a nice contrast, but then I think I should just buy new brakes... but then I don't want to spend that kind of money when I'm only using the car on the street for right now.

BimmerRob08 · 03-23-2012, 07:22 PM

My 2 cents are that if one is to mod (brakes, aero, etc.) Things that have a cosmetic look, and performance gains a plus, make it look right. Repainting stock calipers won't look good. Either just re-paint them a gloss black or something that doesn't stand out like orange Brembo's would.

I think a high gloss black stock caliper will look nice. Perhaps a BMW emblam on it done real nice. But going with a bright color on those OEM calipers is gonna look Ghetto.

Save up for a BBK and it'll be well worth it and then you can go with what ever color and it'll look good and you'll be much happier.

GOVCO · 03-24-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3PO

Firstly, they are already gloss black. Second, the stock sliders are not pretty like a big monoblock caliper. Do you really want to show off the fact that your $70K sports car came with one piston sliders that will fade in a couple of laps? Not me.

Well, my 09 M3 surely doesn't have gloss black calipers by any means. A dull black, yes, not gloss. No comparison to aftermarket calipers obviously. Just saying a nice high gloss black would be fine. Subjective opinion of course. Oh, and my E90 wasn't quite $70k, so I can get away with it I suppose.

SchnellM3 · 03-24-2012, 01:46 PM

Leave them stock, its really the best look for them. I wish I had taken pictures of the powder coated calipers I've seen and the look terrible in person, but in the end its your call.

M3PO · 03-24-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOVCO

Well, my 09 M3 surely doesn't have gloss black calipers by any means. A dull black, yes, not gloss. No comparison to aftermarket calipers obviously. Just saying a nice high gloss black would be fine. Subjective opinion of course. Oh, and my E90 wasn't quite $70k, so I can get away with it I suppose.

The finish dulls over time. My calipers on my 08 are dull also. A bit of elbow grease and some polish could probably get them looking good as new. I've been meaning to try restoring them.

Longbow64 · 03-24-2012, 04:59 PM

Thinking about going gloss black on mine too. That'll match the rest of the gloss black stuff I have on the car. Also thinking about painting the gunmetal part of my 220M wheels gloss black as well. The rears are plagued with rust. It's mostly the pins which are about $30 each side to replace.

spdy330 · 03-24-2012, 05:16 PM

Don't do it!

03-23-2012, 01:02 AM	#1
I M STIG RawAutos.com 29 Rep 476 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Pondering Painting Brake Calipers Okay, so I've been thinking of painting my brake calipers... What paint should I use? I'll definitely search around for the right person to paint them for me, because my calipers would end up looking horrible if I did it. I think I'm going to go with yellow, though. What do you guys think? __________________ 2009 E90 M3\| Jerez Black \| Extended Silver Novillo with Brushed Aluminum \| 6MT \| EDC \| Premium Package II \| Convenience Package \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| HD Radio \| Heated front seats \| Fold down rear seats \| Moonroof \| 19" wheels \| RawAutos.com
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03-23-2012, 09:14 AM	#2
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Don't paint the stockers.
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03-23-2012, 12:43 PM	#8
M3PO Colonel 84 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	Agreed with all of the above. The stock brakes are unattractive. Adding paint will make their unattractiveness even more noticeable.
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03-23-2012, 01:29 PM	#9
GOVCO Lieutenant 16 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 09 E90 AW M3 DCT [Slight Mods] Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Unattractive in what sense. All you need is a high gloss black paint. Not emblems. It's been done I'm sure. We're not talking about putting cheap paint on like maybe a Civic might of had, good stuff.
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03-23-2012, 01:37 PM	#10
DarkstarZero Lieutenant Colonel 1014 Rep 1,720 Posts Drives: Daytona 95 M3, X7 M50, e92 M3, Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	I saw someone who painted the ///M logo indentation on the calipers with the correct M colors. It looked really nice but I could tell that he had to be some paint master because it was perfect. It would be something that you would have to get done at a real professional place because if you do it wrong, it'll be horrible, but if you do it right, it looks OEM. __________________ BMW CCA Track Instructor Join to win a M School Day at the Performance Center! Enter Referral ID: 420186
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03-23-2012, 04:42 PM	#11
I M STIG RawAutos.com 29 Rep 476 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	I was going to have a real pro do it, I'd screw it all to hell, haha. I would have never done it, but my dad had the calipers of my mom's C6 Corvette painted yellow a few years ago, and shockingly, they looked great! Whoever did them did a fantastic job, because it looked like they could have come from the factory. I definitely want to do it, but I'm willing to spend the money to have a real professional do them, which would be a good bit cheaper than to buy new brakes, I'd think... __________________ 2009 E90 M3\| Jerez Black \| Extended Silver Novillo with Brushed Aluminum \| 6MT \| EDC \| Premium Package II \| Convenience Package \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| HD Radio \| Heated front seats \| Fold down rear seats \| Moonroof \| 19" wheels \| RawAutos.com
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03-23-2012, 05:01 PM	#12
OMID INC Lieutenant Colonel 92 Rep 1,562 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (6)	i would leave it alone too. it wont look nice and fancy like a brembo. there arent many smooth paintable parts on the stock calipers. it might look cheap. i was tempted to do it but never did because of the risk of looking cheesy. dont draw attention to the stocks.
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03-23-2012, 05:39 PM	#14
onnex Major 162 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 2015 F80 M3 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palo Alto, CA iTrader: (16) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [9.26]	If you like the way the painted calipers look, go for it– who gives a shit. The painted stock calipers might not look good to some (or even most) people, but if you just want some contrast behind your wheels to go along with a theme or something, then do it. If you look at how half the clowns on this forum mod their car, they are in no positions to be dishing out style tips. __________________ 2015 MG F80 M3 \| H & R Sport Springs \| M Performance Diffuser \| 20" DPE SP-SC 5 \| IND Matte Black Cosmetic Package \| *More coming soon*
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03-23-2012, 06:03 PM	#15
aus Major General 890 Rep 9,031 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	I've seen a painted caliper on an E92 M3 look good, but it was a very bright red and he painted the spring. From a distance, my friend thought it was a BBK. . __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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03-23-2012, 07:22 PM	#17
BimmerRob08 Major 110 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: 2008 M3, Space Gray Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KIKR (ABQ), NM iTrader: (0)	My 2 cents are that if one is to mod (brakes, aero, etc.) Things that have a cosmetic look, and performance gains a plus, make it look right. Repainting stock calipers won't look good. Either just re-paint them a gloss black or something that doesn't stand out like orange Brembo's would. I think a high gloss black stock caliper will look nice. Perhaps a BMW emblam on it done real nice. But going with a bright color on those OEM calipers is gonna look Ghetto. Save up for a BBK and it'll be well worth it and then you can go with what ever color and it'll look good and you'll be much happier.
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03-24-2012, 01:46 PM	#19
SchnellM3 Digger 205 Rep 2,619 Posts Drives: 03 E46 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2003 BMW E46 M3 Tra ... [8.00] 2009 BMW E92 M3 [8.30] 2009 Yamaha R1 (FOR ... [9.50]	Leave them stock, its really the best look for them. I wish I had taken pictures of the powder coated calipers I've seen and the look terrible in person, but in the end its your call. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 /// Melbourne Red /// Fox Red /// M DKG Full Innotech Exhaust - DINAN Intake - IND Engine Bay Appearance - IND Hand Stitched Boot Covers - and much more....
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03-24-2012, 04:59 PM	#21
Longbow64 _______ 169 Rep 1,088 Posts Drives: 15 M3, 13 X3 35i MSport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orlando iTrader: (4)	Thinking about going gloss black on mine too. That'll match the rest of the gloss black stuff I have on the car. Also thinking about painting the gunmetal part of my 220M wheels gloss black as well. The rears are plagued with rust. It's mostly the pins which are about $30 each side to replace. __________________ '13 35i M-Sport X3 \| JB4 Stage 1 \| BMS Intake \| H&R Springs \| Gloss black grill \| CF Wrap and Coded by me \| Recaro Child Seats '15 M3 DCT AW/SO \| JB Stage 1 \| RKP Diffuser \| P3 \| M Perf Spoiler \| iND Exterior Trim \| Recaro Child Seat
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03-24-2012, 05:16 PM	#22
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	Don't do it! __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
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