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MG MGF Technical - Painting MGF Brake Calipers

I'm thinking about paint my standard MGF 1.8 brake caliper's in Smoothrite Red. I've read all the archives and I have some questions.

Do I actually need to remove the brake pads to do this when I have the wheels off, or can I do it with the pads on? I'd rather not have to fiddle with pads. (If I do, how easy do they come off?)

Also, I know I would have to clean the calipers first - I have a bottle of Hydrochloric acid which I've used on alloys in the past to get all the brake dust off. I works a treat. Could/should I use this to clean the calipers? Would this cause any damage to the pads/calipers - such as making the pads dissolve etc.

I hope to do this next sun - if the weather sorts it self out - unlike yesterday!

Thanks
Paul
Paul Lucas

I used Hammerite smooth red but did it when the calipers were off for a pad and disc change. I used a hand wire brush to clean up the calipers and a wipe with Hammerite thinners. It took two coats to get a good finish which has lasted a year now.

Brian

I left mine on the car, cleaned with spray brake cleaner and a soft brush, scrubbed with a stiffer brush, sprayed again, dried, painted, painted. Still OK 12 months later. Never actually use hydrochloric acid on my car but I'm just naturally carefull.
JohnP

Painted mine whilst on the car, used wire brush first and then gave it two coats with high temp enamel paint from Halfrauds. Not a chemist, but acid near brake pads can't be good.
Richard P

Does anyone have any photos of painted calipers?

Cheers,
Tim.
Tim Jenner

Tim,
if the camera is at work, I can mail you some tomorrow,
Rich
Richard P

Please! :)
Tim Jenner

Tim, U have mail.
Richard P

any chance you could send me a copy also?

Nathan
Nathan Searle

And me too please ;-)

Ta,
Col

colin_mcilwaineNOSPAM@ie.ibm.com
[Remove the NOSPAM]
Colin McIlwaine

Can you web it?
I would love a copy too....

Neil H

Me too...?

:-)
AndrewMc

You all have mail,
Rich
Richard P

Rich,

If you want me to put the picture(s) on a web site it'll save you having to email everyone! Let me know.

Cheers,
Tim.
Tim Jenner

No problems with me
Richard P

Due to the state of the car, pics will be tomorrow.
Rich
Richard P

Rich, can you send me the pictures as well? Thanks
Paul
Paul Lucas

You all have email,
Richard P

Thanks, Rich - will try to put them online tonight.
Tim Jenner

OK. Cheers Tim. Can you let me know the link as and when,
Richard P

OK, photos now on:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tim.jenner/painted_calipers.htm

Cheers, Rich - the car looks great!

Tim.
Tim Jenner

Fame at last ;-)
Cheers Tim :)
Richard P

stepping sideways past those lovely shiny brake calipers... - how the heck did you get the alloys so clean??

Neil H

Wonder wheels and a tooth brush. But...believe me they are not what I would call clean. Sad I know, but clean is when I take them off the car, toothbrush and elbow grease and then seal them. :)
Richard P



Brake caliper cleaning and two part tough paint kit.....in a number of colours.

http://www.speeding.co.uk/acatalog/Products_Savage_Style_110.html
Grahame

I painted my calipers when I had my F 3 years ago which made the car look so much better. They needed redoing and as I had a new caliper recently a touch up and paint was in order.

I used the 'savage' product this time as above. I planned to do the rear one day and the front the next just as I did before. Not sure this time if it was because I got the split/mix of the two components incorrect but after nearly 30 hours the paint on the rear had not even started to go off. I then had to spend a fair while cleaning it all off with thinners. And then even longer trying to get the red lacquor of my hands and trousers. Just a hint - if you can prepare both front and rear of the car so you can mix the two part paint in one go to ensure correct mixing.

Keith
Keith Williams

This thread was discussed between 19/04/2004 and 23/04/2004

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