These days several people like to paint their brake calipers. It makes the wheels stand out and gives some much-needed color to the braking system. Unfortunately, some could find the paint gaudy and turn their heads when you go to sell your vehicle. So, how do you remove brake paint from the calipers?
Getting in under the car and removing the calipers could be a dangerous job that requires a lift and at least two people. Please follow all safety precautions as a collapsed jack could mean severe injury or death. Read on and learn all the ins and outs of removing the paint from your brake calipers safely.
How to Remove the Paint from Your Brake Calipers
A job like this can be done by almost anyone who has the tools and extra equipment required. Some chemicals will be involved that will require specialized safety equipment, and having an extra pair of hands could save your life. If none of these apply to you, seek the help of a professional painter.
Removing the paint on the caliper will require lots of other work, especially if the calipers are still in use. However, the removal processes are straightforward, and if you have an excellent video to help, there should be no problem getting the results you are after.
Remove the Wheel
You aren’t going to be able to get to the calipers if the wheel and tire are in the way. Removing them will expose the brakes and calipers to give you a better look at what you are getting yourself into. Remember that road dust and grime will be prevalent, and it could take some strong force to break the bolts open.
The steps to removing the wheel are shown below.
Break the Lugnuts
Lugnuts are tightened to a specific weight to keep them from unscrewing as the car moves. They will require a good bit of force for removal. Concentrate on just breaking the lugs at this point and not taking them off until the car is on the jack.
Use the Jack
The most treacherous part of the job is raising the vehicle with a jack. It shouldn’t be an issue if you place the jack correctly. Choose a solid area. A piece of the frame would work best. Once the placement is set, you should move the car up only as high as needed to remove the wheel.
Remove the Caliper
Now that you can see the caliper, the dangerous part begins. Don’t let your brake fluid leak onto your car’s paint. Instead, loosen the caliper and plug the brake line.
Removing the caliper is messy and will take some unscrewing to accomplish. Be careful with brake fluid, as it is corrosive and will do a number on your exposed skin. Place a drip pan underneath and ensure the brakes are fully plugged before moving on.
Remove the Paint with Paint Stripper
Let’s not beat around the bush here; there are more than one ways to skin a cat. The same goes for removing paint. There are ways to take it off with force, like an angle grinder, that could be faster but will damage the delicate pieces of the mechanism. Using a stripper will be the best option as there is no immersion, and it is a quick process.
The steps to remove the paint with a paint stripper are shown below.
Paint on the Paint Stripper
Using a brush take your chosen stripper and liberally apply it to the metal of the caliper. The best result is to have the container nearby and use an extra amount across the device.
Allow the Paint Stripper to Cure
Once you have the caliper coated, you need to wait around for a half-hour for the stripper to work its magic. You will notice that the coating will have bubbles and begin to drip away from the metal.
Dry the Surface
After giving it the proper time to cure, you should remove all the gunk with a rag. This mixture of stripper and paint is toxic. Try not to get any on you by using safety equipment like gloves and protective glasses.
What seemed like a monumental task is complete. As soon as the metal meets your requirements, you can replace the wheel and see how it looks. Before returning the car to the roadway, take the time to tighten all bolts, especially the lugnuts.
Conclusion
Removing the paint on your brake caliper is a fairly easy job. There is no shame in asking a professional to do it, but if you are a handy person, there should be no problem. Take all necessary precautions against accidents and chemical spills.
Choose a paint stripper that is meant for metal. They are available at any hardware store, and buying a bit extra is never a bad idea. Once the paint stripper has worked its magic, your vehicle will look much different but operate just the same.