Brake caliper colours

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Sat Aug 20, 2022 8:28 pm

I'm in another quandary.

During the course of my E30 ownership (some 20 years ago, now), I developed a penchant for gold-painted calipers. I've always used Hammerite smooth. Those of you who have seen images of my F25 may have noticed this has been on-going.

Lately, I'm thinking it might be time I made a change. I'm not sure "in your face" calipers belong on an SAV driven by a pensioner, although gold isn't quite as IYF as red, yellow, or blue. Maybe matt or satin black would be more appropriate.

What say you, style gurus?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Aug 20, 2022 9:06 pm

Matt Black is easiest…….you just let the brake dust build up.

Alan Gunn · Post by **Alan Gunn** » Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:05 am

From one pensioner to another.
What's wrong with the gold you are as old as you feel sorry as young as you feel and it's your car.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Sun Aug 21, 2022 7:21 am

I prefer them shiny and new so if I painted them, which I don't, they'd be silver

lezmtaylor · Post by **lezmtaylor** » Sun Aug 21, 2022 10:57 am

On my 2002 E53 I have painted them ''pillar box red ''. I'm nearly an 80 year old and if it makes me look a pre pensioner great!!!

Lez

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Sat Aug 27, 2022 7:23 pm

Nowt wrong wit a bit of gold smoothrite

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Sat Aug 27, 2022 7:42 pm

Leslie wrote: ↑Sat Aug 27, 2022 7:23 pmNowt wrong wit a bit of gold smoothrite

I know, and I've still got plenty. I just fancy a change.

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Fri Feb 10, 2023 6:33 am

When I started this thread, I was thinking of having the calipers powdercoated. That would mean stripping them down, which in itself wouldn't be a problem, and having the car totally immobile in our garage for the duration - which would.
I got as far as enquiring the cost of powdercoating. That is currently £40 per caliper. Add-in the cost of new pistons, seals, and sliders, it starts looking like a large outlay - on top of the unnecessary work and the inconvenience.

Hammerite it will be, then. Not that I'm a cheapskate, but it's a lot of cost for no quantifiable gain.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Fri Feb 10, 2023 8:47 am

Buy a secondhand set of calipers. Powder coat in your chosen colour, then overhaul them as you would yours anyway, then sell your originals? More outlay initially but reduced when you sell yours on. Less hassle and you'll get what you really want.

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Fri Feb 10, 2023 9:28 am

I did think of ^^^ that.

A full set of calipers on eBay is going to be £100 - which isn't a problem. What is a problem is getting rid of the unwanted set. I CBA selling stuff on eBay.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Feb 10, 2023 10:10 am

Keep em as spares - BMW have a nasty habit of seized callipers which means it’s inevitable you’ll need to change them at some point.

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Fri Feb 10, 2023 10:32 am

Last time I got one for mine was 80 quid refurbed and replated silver, saves any hassle the twin piston ones are a weak point for dragging on as said.

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