Notices
Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

Do you need to use primer on calipers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 21, 2022 | 02:52 PM
  #1  
jaygsi's Avatar
jaygsi
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,530
Likes: 258
From: uk
Default Do you need to use primer on calipers

Just run out of high temp spray primer, but finding it not too easy to score some more, and noticed most YouTube videos they don't use a primer when spraying? I always have, do I need to?
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2022 | 04:40 PM
  #2  
TECHNOPUG's Avatar
TECHNOPUG
Scooby Regular
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 114
From: Tetbury
Default

I painted VHT directly onto the calipers with a brush.. This was with iron rear 2-pots. Alloy calipers may require something else.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2022 | 04:44 PM
  #3  
RockyRoad's Avatar
RockyRoad
Scooby Regular
5 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 567
Likes: 132
From: Scottish Borders
Default

It'd really depend on what paint is being used.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2022 | 07:59 PM
  #4  
jaygsi's Avatar
jaygsi
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,530
Likes: 258
From: uk
Default

Hycote High temp paint, does say on back of can to use a primer for best results, but so many Youtuber's don't use one when doing there's.

Last edited by jaygsi; Mar 21, 2022 at 08:02 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2022 | 08:07 PM
  #5  
RockyRoad's Avatar
RockyRoad
Scooby Regular
5 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 567
Likes: 132
From: Scottish Borders
Default

I would follow what the manufacturer recommends and ignore what 99% of Youtubers do. Do they ever provide an update how the paint has held up a year or two down the line? How do you know they don’t immediately redo the whole job better using different paint or even just never bother using the parts.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2022 | 10:53 PM
  #6  
jaygsi's Avatar
jaygsi
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,530
Likes: 258
From: uk
Default

Spraying both, steel 4 pots and some alloy 6 pots. Prefer spraying as think it looks better, never seems to look right with calliper paint when I've used it.

Originally Posted by TECHNOPUG
I painted VHT directly onto the calipers with a brush.. This was with iron rear 2-pots. Alloy calipers may require something else.
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2022 | 04:20 PM
  #7  
Henrik's Avatar
Henrik
Scooby Regular
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,154
Likes: 151
From: London
Default

i'm not a paint expert by any means, but i'd have thought alloy calipers would require some kind of etch primer? I think the purpose of the etch primer is to be acidic enough to eat away the oxide layer on top of aluminium. Once the etch is on, you can use a regular primer on top of that, and then top coat. Etch primer only needs to be a very thin coat AFAIK.

The above is at least my experience with rattle-canning alloy wheels, but not sure how well a primer would stand up to caliper temperatures (then again, do calipers actually get _that_ hot unless track-daying?)
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2022 | 08:42 PM
  #8  
ALi-B's Avatar
ALi-B
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 38,078
Likes: 310
From: The hell where youth and laughter go
Default

I'd be tempted to etch prime too; Although haven't done it on calipers. Only with disc bells followed by hammerite smooth.

Last set of Brembos I painted were off a Mustang, and used high temp spray straight onto the metal (after cleaning). Was a right pain to get good coverage as it thinned on the sharp edges and showed though, so needed 4 coats to get a finish I was happy with. Next time I think etching would give a good key and improve coverage.

I've used aluminium paint straight onto bare metal (steel calipers) and got good results; Was restoring the factory finish after a migrant car wash soaked them in acid wheel cleaner which stripped off the zinc coating (more annoying is the wheels were clean so didn't need acid cleaner ) .
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2022 | 11:03 AM
  #9  
jaygsi's Avatar
jaygsi
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,530
Likes: 258
From: uk
Default

Only 4 coats, wow I put loads more than that on. More like 10 coats of primer 10 or top coat, then 5 of lacquer.

To be honest I'm not sure if the calliper's are alloy, must be as light as a feather. Didn't use etch primer though, just Hycote high temp stuff.

Saying that didn't use etch primer on my alloys and paint has help up well. Coming off now.

Originally Posted by ALi-B
I'd be tempted to etch prime too; Although haven't done it on calipers. Only with disc bells followed by hammerite smooth.

Last set of Brembos I painted were off a Mustang, and used high temp spray straight onto the metal (after cleaning). Was a right pain to get good coverage as it thinned on the sharp edges and showed though, so needed 4 coats to get a finish I was happy with. Next time I think etching would give a good key and improve coverage.

I've used aluminium paint straight onto bare metal (steel calipers) and got good results; Was restoring the factory finish after a migrant car wash soaked them in acid wheel cleaner which stripped off the zinc coating (more annoying is the wheels were clean so didn't need acid cleaner ) .
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2022 | 02:15 PM
  #10  
Dav13s's Avatar
Dav13s
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 69
Likes: 2
From: Brize Norton, Oxfordshire
Default

Frayz's Brembo caliper painting Guide - ScoobyNet.com - Subaru Enthusiast Forum

Old, but probably still relevant. If you or a previous owner has removed the black coating under the gold, I guess you'd better etch prime them. If they're still gold, don't remove the existing black coating and then you don't need to etch.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2022 | 02:24 PM
  #11  
jaygsi's Avatar
jaygsi
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,530
Likes: 258
From: uk
Default

There not Brembo's bud there 6 pots.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2022 | 07:24 AM
  #12  
Dav13s's Avatar
Dav13s
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 69
Likes: 2
From: Brize Norton, Oxfordshire
Default

Originally Posted by jaygsi
There not Brembo's bud there 6 pots.
My bad, I should probably learn to read better!
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2022 | 05:11 PM
  #13  
jaygsi's Avatar
jaygsi
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,530
Likes: 258
From: uk
Default

Been there lol

Brembo's were mentioned

Originally Posted by Dav13s
My bad, I should probably learn to read better!
Reply
Old May 14, 2022 | 05:14 PM
  #14  
meth mouth's Avatar
meth mouth
Scooby Regular
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 101
Likes: 6
From: Nham, Tottenham.
Default

Look around for some caliper refurb companies and see what they do or call and ask. The results were impressive from memory so I would go down a pro route and avoid youtubers imo.
Reply
Old May 24, 2022 | 02:50 PM
  #15  
jaygsi's Avatar
jaygsi
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,530
Likes: 258
From: uk
Default

Why what price do they tend to charge or repainting?

Originally Posted by meth mouth
Look around for some caliper refurb companies and see what they do or call and ask. The results were impressive from memory so I would go down a pro route and avoid youtubers imo.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gav_UK
Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
9
Oct 14, 2012 11:36 AM
frayz
Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
5
Nov 27, 2010 11:01 PM
banny sti
Wanted
1
Jan 6, 2007 05:18 PM
5cby
ScoobyNet General
5
Mar 21, 2006 11:59 PM
hekatombe
Wanted
1
Jul 17, 2003 12:20 PM




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:07 PM.