4 replies to this topic

[Deathrow]

I'm in the process of masking up my Cooper S calipers for painting and I was looking at the surfaces that the pistons come out of. Do they need to be left clean or can I paint everything but the piston and it's seal?

I don't want to affect the operation of the brakes but if the surface can be painted I will. Keep them looking their best for longer.

Thanks in advance .

[charie t]

Avoid painting the pad mounting surfaces you'll have to scratch I off if its too thick, the mounting points to the hub and the piston/seals. The rest can be painted as you like.

[Deathrow]

That's what I was concerned for. I might have an investigate how some pads sit and their clearance to the caliper. If I can find the pads that is haha.

[rosstolley]

I recently painted mine masking off nipples and such like and packing out the middle piston an pad area with a cloth and then taping over that to make sure any paint didn't get past. Turned out quite well!

Primed.


Painted.


Assembled.

[dklawson]

Remove the nipple and coat its threads with a thin layer of grease. Thread it back in and mask the nipple wrench surface and the tube connection barb.
Mask the machined surfaces where the caliper bolts to the hub.
If the pistons are out of their bores, mask the bores with a ring of tape.
Clean and temporarily fit the old dust seal retainer to mask the bore entrance.

That should be all you need to worry about. After painting remove that old dust seal and the mounting surface will be ready for the new dust seal without having to scrape away paint.

If the pistons and seals are already installed, mask around the exposed parts of the piston and as much of the rubber portion of the dust seal as possible. Do not paint the surface of the piston that contacts the brake pads. Mask the nipple and machined surfaces I mentioned above.

Several light coats of paint will protect better than one or two heavy coats.