Over time, your brake calipers become worn down looking and can be an eyesore on a nicer vehicle. There is not always a need to replace the calipers, but you do not want to drive around with this unsightly part showing. If this is an issue that has been bothering you, you can always purchase brake caliper covers to go over your calipers for a refreshed look.

Are brake caliper covers safe? This is a commonly asked question in regard to brake caliper covers, and the simplest answer is yes, they are safe – as long as they are the proper size for your car. Most caliper covers are designed to fit nicely over your calipers to cover up any unsightly appearance while staying put and keeping your calipers safe.

The biggest safety issue is improper fit. Not purchasing covers that fit your exact car model can interfere with the wheel. Also, if you purchase caliper covers that are not made from quality materials, it can pose a risk to your vehicle. The key is purchasing quality pieces that are designed to fit your exact car and there should be no safety issues present.

What Are Brake Caliper Covers?

If you are interested in customizing your car, brake caliper covers are just another step in the right direction. These covers can give your entire vehicle a new, fresh look covering an area that can look worn over time. You can customize the look of your tires without paying the costs of new wheels or completely replacing the calipers.

Essentially these are pieces of metal or hard plastic that can be clipped into place on your calipers. There are various styles out there, which we will discuss, but they all follow the same basic concept. The main thing you want to keep in mind is that you are buying caliper covers that work for your vehicle.

Here is an example of a Caliper Cover for a Charger (Amazon). Click on the image to view it on Amazon too.

No matter the paint job on your car, there are caliper covers out there that can match your vehicle. Many of the brake caliper covers available on the market today are customizable, which means you can choose to have them in various colors or engraved. They can also feature the brand of your vehicle, ensuring they are a fit.

Are Brake Caliper Covers Any Good?

There are a lot of brake caliper covers out there that are of amazing quality and will last for years to come on your vehicle. However, there are some risks that come with purchasing caliper covers that are of lesser quality, as they can break or wear down quickly. It is extremely important to purchase from a reputable brand that designs quality products.

Many caliper covers that are available online today are made from aerospace aluminum that has been formed to fit each specific caliber. Purchasing metal covers is ideal as these can last longer and have a lower chance of breaking down with use. Most of the better brand covers come with a warranty that guarantees their quality and helps ensure you are spending your money on a good product.

Some commonly found materials used for caliper covers are:

Fiberglass
Hard Plastic
Aluminum
Stainless Steel

Some caliper covers can be engraved with logos that should stay on the cover without wearing off. Many companies do offer the covers in a variety of colors and even patterns, which you should shop around to guarantee that they match your car perfectly. The covers you choose should come with some form of a clip that guarantees they stay put for the long term.

Look Out for Frauds in the Caliper Cover Industry

A very popular name in the caliper cover world today is MGP Caliper Covers, but when this company became popular, something else became popular: the increase of frauds.

You should make sure that you are looking over any company you purchase from and guarantee that they are a legitimate manufacturer. A problem that many purchasers run into is that there are knock-off versions of caliper covers sold online for lower prices.

While you can save by purchasing from a lower-priced manufacturer, you will often get a lower quality item. It is best to purchase directly from the quality manufacturer themselves or the verified Amazon page for the company. Purchasing from third-party sellers can risk you getting an item that is not legitimate or that is not as good of quality as you need.

Many companies are fighting to stop these knock-off products from being sold under their name, but it can be difficult to stop every fraudulent seller. The best way to protect yourself is to do your own research – and some simple ways to narrow down your search are:

Visit the manufacturer’s website and not another online source.
Read reviews from past customers.
Compare prices and ensure that prices do not look “too good to be true.”
Read any listings for information regarding materials used to create the calipers.
Look for an added warranty with purchase.
Make sure all company names line up, where the parts ship from and where they were made.

Adding a Cover Versus Painting Your Calipers

Some use paint to refresh the look of their calipers, which is a valid option, though it may not be the best choice. If your calipers are in really rough shape, adding a coat of paint will not fix any damage or give them a quality new look. A cover is often a better option because they will completely cover the look of the worn calipers and give your car a fresh, new look.

If your calipers are extremely worn looking, purchasing new calipers may be a better choice than both painting or covers. However, almost any vehicle can benefit from well-made new covers. Compared to paint, covers can be slightly more expensive to purchase in the beginning, but they will definitely last longer.

Also, painting the calipers is not always an easy process, and if you do not do the work well, it can make the final product look sloppy. However, covers are extremely easy to install, and you are almost guaranteed to do them properly. Covers will stay put much longer and last you for years to come, versus maybe a year with painting.

Benefits of Caliper Covers

Some may shy away from caliper covers because they believe they interfere with their car’s natural abilities. However, they can actually benefit your car greatly, and there are many benefits that come with these devices. Just a few of these benefits are:

They help keep brakes clean – Caliper covers redirect the dust that comes off of your brake pads toward the rear of the vehicle, meaning less dust flies onto the outside surface of your wheels. This will keep your wheels cleaner over time.
They reduce heat – A common misconception is that adding caliper covers will increase the friction and the heat produced. However, caliper covers can actually dissipate the heat from your brakes and improve the overall performance of the brakes. Since many are made from aluminum, it is an excellent way to reduce the overall heat buildup.

How to Install Caliper Covers on Your Car

Caliper over installation is a relatively easy process that anyone who knows about cars can do simply.

For most brands, the installation process is straightforward and requires you only to have a few hand tools. Of course, you want to ensure that you are reading any specifications that come with the covers as they can be manufacturer specific.

There are usually two types of caliper covers that you can find available today, those that go on using slots or those that use studs.

Both forms are fairly easy to install but do require slightly different steps to ensure proper installation. If you are ever unsure of how to install these parts, you should always consult an expert to do the installation for you to ensure that everything is completed properly for your safety.

Slot Clip or Bracket Caliper Covers

If you are purchasing a caliper cover that features a slot style clip or bracket, there are a few key steps you must take to install them properly. These steps are:

Step 1 – Place the caliper cover on top of the brake caliper, ensure that you center it across the front. You should ensure that the brackets attached to the cover piece are flush against the corner areas of the caliper bracket.

Step 2 – Fasten the caliper cover in place using the provided clips. These usually slide over the cover bracket and the caliper bracket below it. They should fit snugly to ensure the piece stays in place.

Step 3 – You should receive some form of lock nuts with your caliper covers, which you will screw onto the studs and tighten using a hand wrench or socket wrench.

You will want to ensure that there is enough room between any clips you install and the brake rotor, about an eighth of an inch. Make sure that you never overtighten the lock nuts, just tighten them one-half to one full turn beyond what you can do with your fingertips.

Remember that there are times when the tab on the caliper covers may need to be adjusted to fit your specific vehicle properly. You can simply use pliers to bend them slightly for the best fit. No matter what, you want to ensure that they cover lies flat against your calipers as much as possible.

Stud Type Clips or Brackets Caliper Covers

If your caliper covers are sent with stud type closures, you follow very similar steps, but there are a few key differences. To install these caliper cover, you should follow these steps:

Step 1 – Slide the clips that come with your caliper covers onto or around the sides of the brake caliper bracket. These clips should fit snugly in place and fit fairly tight to the cover.

Step 2 – You will place the cover onto your caliper and position the holes that are in the cover piece over the threaded studs on the clips you previously installed. These are designed to fit securely onto your calipers, which means it can be challenging to fit the second bracket place over the stud. Do not be alarmed if you must use a bit of force to get the caliper in place.

Step 3 – Like the previously mentioned steps, you will receive lock nuts with your covers that you will screw onto the threaded studs. You will tighten the nuts by hand, once again using a hand wrench or socket wrench. You will check for clearance to ensure that there is about a business card’s space between the clips and brake rotors.

You should always make sure that you are not overtightening the locknuts. Just like with the other covers, you will only want to tighten them around a turn more than you can be hand. You can also adjust these tabs slightly using pliers to ensure the cover is flush to your caliper.

Installation Videos

Following written steps to install your caliper covers can be challenging as they are hard to visualize. However, there are videos online that you can follow, and you can always seek help from an expert who is more knowledgeable about this installation process. Some quality videos that show caliper cover installations are:

Are Brake Calipers Side Specific?

If you are not super familiar with brake calipers, there are a few things that you should note before taking on the challenge of putting covers on your calipers is if they are side specific. The calipers themselves are side specific, which means that their covers too are side specific. Also, when replacing either calipers or covers, it is recommended to do so in pairs and never just one individually.

To know the difference between the right-hand side calipers and the left-hand side calipers, you will want to have the bleeder on top. If you mix-match them, the bleeder will not be on top and you need to switch them around. Regardless of which vehicle you have the installation and deciding if you are using the right piece on each side should be simple.

Get Caliper Covers that fit Your Wheels

Most companies available today have caliper covers that work well with a variety of wheels. Sometimes, the wheels that come with the vehicle do not provide an adequate amount of clearance for the caliper covers, but most aftermarket wheels do. Luckily a lot of those who are interested in adding modifications like caliper covers have already upgraded their wheels. Here are some tips for getting the right fit:

Regardless of the wheels your vehicle has, you need to measure to ensure clearance before purchasing your caliper covers. Most covers only require a small space of clearance, around a couple of stacked quarters or a business card space. Regardless, you want to ensure that there is an adequate amount of clearance for the safety of your vehicle.
To get extra help finding caliper covers that fit your car, you should contact the company directly. Most companies have a drop-down list available that states the different vehicles their caliper covers can be purchased for. However, some manufacturers may not have your specific vehicle model listed, which may mean they do not have calipers that will fit your wheels easily.
It is often best to avoid purchasing caliper covers that are not designed for your vehicle unless you contact the manufacturer directly and ensure they are interchangeable. Otherwise, you either want to find another manufacturer or wait on purchasing until they make covers for your car.

Do Caliper Covers Negatively Affect Your Car?

If you are still on the fence about adding caliper covers to your vehicle, high-quality covers should be safe for your car. As long as you purchase from a reputable brand and leave enough clearance for your wheels, your caliper covers should not negatively affect your car.

Higher-end covers should easily stand up against the heat from your brakes and look good for years without much maintenance.

However, some common questions many have about adding these covers to their vehicles are:

Can caliper covers be removed for brake services? – If your vehicle needs brake servicing, it should be simple for the mechanic to remove the covers and perform any maintenance. The installation and removal of most covers are simple as shown above, so you should be able to remove them yourself as needed. To ensure they are cared for properly, you may want to remove and reinstall them yourself saving a step for your local body shop.
Do covers void manufacturer warranties? – It is highly unlikely that your caliper covers will affect your manufacturer’s warranty. Most are designed to ensure they are safe for your vehicle and they should not be a problem as far as warranties are concerned. To guarantee there is not an issue, you should contact your warranty holder to learn more.
Can you paint caliper covers? – Ideally, you should purchase caliper covers that work well with your vehicle color and do not need a large number of alterations. However, even the best covers can become scratched or scuffed slightly with regular use. Most brands do allow slight touch-ups with paint and should have the paint they recommend listed.

Are Brake Caliper Covers Safe?