Caliper Painting - 1994 Volvo 850 2.4 DOHC

mmd94 · Post by **mmd94** » 06 Feb 2014, 21:46

Hello,
I am hoping to find an answer to this, I am painting my calipers within the next week. I have started today and plan on cleaning them completely and painting them red. I am doing it for protection, to help prevent rust and the look. Here's my concern, I am taking the calipers off completely, cleaning and removing the rust, then painting. I know to not paint the holes for screws, bolts, or pins. along with the bleeder and brake line hook-in, along with the piston or rubber parts. What I am worried about it the slides them selves. Since the calipers on this car do not have clips, where the caliper slides, I have painted that area. (#1 Pic below)

#1) https://www.dropbox.com/s/psgo7j785v3bd ... .29.39.jpg

should I keep the paint there or remove it? Im worried with prolonged use it will cause the caliper to stick and stop sliding easily.

Also, any other suggestions on painting the calipers? I will not paint them on the car, regardless if its easier or not. Thanks in advance!

Post by **vjaneczko** » 06 Feb 2014, 22:37

I taped them off when I did my paint job. It probably took half the prep time alone and was a pain. What I should have done to save time is to paint that area and sanded it off, but yeah; you should keep that area clean so the pad can slide easier. I also add a dab of break grease at that spot, and I'm not sure what it would do to the paint.

mmd94 · Post by **mmd94** » 06 Feb 2014, 23:16

Thanks, Ill update you with the finished product! Any suggestions to plug the brake line while I paint the caliper?

Post by **Rondo** » 06 Feb 2014, 23:28

mmd94 wrote:Thanks, Ill update you with the finished product! Any suggestions to plug the brake line while I paint the caliper?

Play-dough. I have three kids and steal theirs all the time.

Post by **Rondo** » 06 Feb 2014, 23:31

Are you going to stencil anything on the calipers when you paint? I wanted to when I did mine, but couldn'tfind a nything small enough that would look good.

mmd94 · Post by **mmd94** » 07 Feb 2014, 21:53

I was able to find a way to plug the brake hose since play-dough is not exactly available, or cheap. I did however use a Wire nut. A large one, which I was able to screw on the end and plug it. (Pic #1)
Also, if anyone else plans on painting calipers, either get the brush on paint and do it on the car, or if you plan to spray paint it like me, DO NOT PAINT THE SLIDES! I planned on painting the slides then removing the paint where the slide is...not too easy! clean the slides, and cover with tape, electrical or masking tape works. I have added the 5th coat to the calipers! check it out below:

Brake hose plugged with Wire nut:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/myps4l567gcjo ... .48.14.jpg

Driver Caliper parts hanging to dry:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1sgfpnsrlfjpa ... .39.26.jpg

Caliper when I painted the slides:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/psgo7j785v3bd ... .29.39.jpg

- do not paint the slides...I cleaned the slides after It dried, but damaged the paint around it, did not look good, so had to redo the paint! I learned a Lesson. =/

mmd94 · Post by **mmd94** » 08 Feb 2014, 07:39

If anyone wanted to see it with the slides cleaned, here ya go!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ufbo9rcdqo8ko ... .25.14.jpg
- Got a small strip of paint on the slide, manageable.

mmd94 · Post by **mmd94** » 11 Feb 2014, 22:15

So I am buying performance brakes and rotors soon here. Ill post the link below, but If these brakes are not rust proof as some people are saying higher quality brakes are, what can I do to prevent the rust? I was thinks engine enamel or caliper paint. It would be better if I can keep the wonderful look of the rotors and avoid making them colored, but gotta do what ya gotta do!

Brake Kit:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... -850ultkit

Very nice rotors, and brakes, Would like to keep its "natural" look if at all possible while driving.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 12 Feb 2014, 07:51

Akebono pads are fantastic, so good choice on those.

Not sure about those rotors, but for my 850 I got cross-drilled Zimmerman rotors from FCP which came with the zinc coating to prevent the rust on the areas that aren't touched by the pads. For my R, I went with drilled & slotted Adam's Rotors with the black zinc treatment and painted hats, to prevent corrosion buildup where the rotor and the wheel touch.

Some have painted the entire rotor and let the pad scrape off the paint while driving but that seems like a very dangerous idea and harmful to the pads. So I'd paint the hats with caliper paint and leave it at that.

Post by **Ben850** » 08 Jun 2014, 02:49

I had clear coated the new calipers and brackets for the front of my sedan. All new Brembo rotors with Akebono ceramic.

: Four lug Brembo rotors installed before Sedan '93 new calipers and braided lines.

The front brackets for the Turbo Wagon were also clear coated, and rear calipers for the Wagon, which are not yet installed.
Don't like the "red" thing so much.

: Front for the Sedan.

: The Wagon with Salvaged Zinc coated rotors like new with pads, clear coated the caliper mounts.

Did not take photos of the rear calipers for the Wagon, but they will go on at the same time as the new rotors I have (Centric drilled and slotted, with Akebono Ceramic). All around. The salvage rotors on the front were meant to be temporary, but they are working fine for almost a year now with the pads they had on the scrap car (like new).