Opinions on painted calipers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**SactoJim** · 10-18-2007, 11:10 PM

Part of me wants to paint these things Red (calipers) cuz I think it looks kinda cool (primarily on true sports cars).

The other part of me says leave em like they are because they shouldn't be painted to stand out unless they (brakes) are truly a high performance big brake setup (which they'de be already painted anyway). Kinda like having a fake supercharger.

Does anyone else out there feel like they're cursed with this "over thinking everything crap"!?

cstm68 · 10-18-2007, 11:17 PM

do it!!!!!!!!

it WONT look fake with thoes cross drilled rotors you have on the front!!

i painted the calipers on my toyota
4x4 and i plan on doing it on my 68 !

herb101 · 10-18-2007, 11:19 PM

I am similarly cursed and have painted mine red. Of course I have nothing to paint on the rear yet and I won't paint my drums - LOL

Herb

SCOTI · 10-18-2007, 11:23 PM

Compromise . . ....

I painted the calipers on mine w/high gloss black caliper paint. It wouldn't scream 'look @ me.... I'm a stock GM caliper trying to look like a high-end Wilwood'; but would make things look much nicer (much more subtle).

wibilly · 10-18-2007, 11:28 PM

i painted mine because i painted every thing, but you can't see them with my stock steeles. you can't just leave them to rust, i say paint thembut myself i would paint them a dull aluminum or cast color to blend them in rather than highlight them but thats just my way

Dingfodgy · 10-19-2007, 12:46 AM

I, personally would get some Eastwood "Detail Grey" paint and give them a very subtle color. Wait! Eastwood also makes a Gold or Red Cadmium look kit that might look totally sweet!! They are very muted and subdued hue of gold or red....not shiny and overly obvious. IMO- please oh please don't paint them bright red or yellow.....there are way too many "ricer" boys around here that do this to their stock Civic's with nothing more than shiny rims and a dorkey lookin' fart-cans.

**SactoJim** · 10-19-2007, 12:49 AM

Don't know if you all noticed but they already are painted with a stainless coating.

corn · 10-19-2007, 12:50 AM

Myself, I think they look like they have just the right amount of bling as is...

EAST SIDE LOW LIFE · 10-19-2007, 02:14 AM

X2 .... I agree with Corn.

esll.

Andy4639 · 10-19-2007, 08:16 AM

They look nice just like they are. There is just enough shine to make them noticable. Leave them alone!

**way2lo2** · 10-19-2007, 08:25 AM

They look fine the way they are but if you decided to painted them red, smooth the rough casting first. will have much better result. Here are some red calipers on my 58 Chevy, of course they were red when I bought them.

70c10 · 10-19-2007, 09:02 AM

Charcoal gray or black. Not red!

Alvin · 10-19-2007, 09:19 AM

I painted my calipers black, but I also took the time to grind the face of the caliper smooth. I'm hoping they look as good as I think they will once they're on the truck behind some nice wheels.

SCOTI · 10-19-2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoJim

Don't know if you all noticed but they already are painted with a stainless coating.

I noticed, I just thought you were considering something different. If that's the case, black would be better on the truck than the red.

**Yukon Jack** · 10-19-2007, 10:55 AM

I'm thinking either black or the color of your truck would look great.

**Shock_Me** · 10-19-2007, 11:19 AM

I'm of the opinion that brake calipers need some kind of paint or coating to prevent them from rusting. With the larger, modern open spoke type rims you can really see what's happening back there with your rotors and calipers.

As far as color, well that's a matter of personal taste. I painted my brother's calipers red because he liked the look on his medium olive stepside, (I'd post a pic, but I can't from work). I painted my orange 68's calipers gloss black, simply because the red would most likely clash with the body color.
I don't think it looks "fake", it's a real caliper, just with a little detail added.

Yours looks great the way they are though Jim. It's a clean look that doesn't distract from the rim.

Cheers,
Pete

67ChevyRedneck · 10-19-2007, 11:25 AM

They look great as is

**SactoJim** · 10-19-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by way2lo2

They look fine the way they are but if you decided to painted them red, smooth the rough casting first. will have much better result. Here are some red calipers on my 58 Chevy, of course they were red when I bought them.

Please give me those calipers.....those are serious looking!

**way2lo2** · 10-19-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoJim

Please give me those calipers.....those are serious looking!

They are off a 2006 Z06 Vette

**SactoJim** · 10-19-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shock_Me

I'm of the opinion that brake calipers need some kind of paint or coating to prevent them from rusting. With the larger, modern open spoke type rims you can really see what's happening back there with your rotors and calipers.

As far as color, well that's a matter of personal taste. I painted my brother's calipers red because he liked the look on his medium olive stepside, (I'd post a pic, but I can't from work). I painted my orange 68's calipers gloss black, simply because the red would most likely clash with the body color.
I don't think it looks "fake", it's a real caliper, just with a little detail added.

Yours looks great the way they are though Jim. It's a clean look that doesn't distract from the rim.

Cheers,
Pete

You're right about not being distracted from the rim Pete....especially for a lame stock caliper. Now those Z06 calipers would be a good distraction from the rim.

The painted calipers on your Green truck with the cast Torq's looked really good though.

10-18-2007, 11:10 PM	#1
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Opinions on painted calipers Part of me wants to paint these things Red (calipers) cuz I think it looks kinda cool (primarily on true sports cars). The other part of me says leave em like they are because they shouldn't be painted to stand out unless they (brakes) are truly a high performance big brake setup (which they'de be already painted anyway). Kinda like having a fake supercharger. Does anyone else out there feel like they're cursed with this "over thinking everything crap"!? Attached Images __________________ 72 Cheyenne SWB Fleet Nut & bolt frame off in progress...99.9999% - supercharged 383 - 4 wheel discs - relocated fuel tank - My Build Thread

10-18-2007, 11:17 PM	#2
cstm68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: shoreline, wa Posts: 1,565	Re: Opinions on painted calipers do it!!!!!!!! it WONT look fake with thoes cross drilled rotors you have on the front!! i painted the calipers on my toyota 4x4 and i plan on doing it on my 68 ! __________________ 68 swb fleet bagged on 20's 327 with 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223308 2014 Chevy 2500hd duramax CCLB

10-18-2007, 11:19 PM	#3
herb101 Used Register Join Date: May 2005 Location: Live Oak, TX Posts: 379	Re: Opinions on painted calipers I am similarly cursed and have painted mine red. Of course I have nothing to paint on the rear yet and I won't paint my drums - LOL Herb

10-18-2007, 11:23 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,954	Re: Opinions on painted calipers Compromise . . .... I painted the calipers on mine w/high gloss black caliper paint. It wouldn't scream 'look @ me.... I'm a stock GM caliper trying to look like a high-end Wilwood'; but would make things look much nicer (much more subtle). __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

10-18-2007, 11:28 PM	#5
wibilly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: northwestern wi Posts: 2,111	Re: Opinions on painted calipers i painted mine because i painted every thing, but you can't see them with my stock steeles. you can't just leave them to rust, i say paint thembut myself i would paint them a dull aluminum or cast color to blend them in rather than highlight them but thats just my way __________________ common sense isn't so common anymore

10-19-2007, 12:46 AM	#6
Dingfodgy Lemme show you something!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: St.Helens, OR. Posts: 876	Re: Opinions on painted calipers I, personally would get some Eastwood "Detail Grey" paint and give them a very subtle color. Wait! Eastwood also makes a Gold or Red Cadmium look kit that might look totally sweet!! They are very muted and subdued hue of gold or red....not shiny and overly obvious. IMO- please oh please don't paint them bright red or yellow.....there are way too many "ricer" boys around here that do this to their stock Civic's with nothing more than shiny rims and a dorkey lookin' fart-cans. __________________ '67 CST-10 LWB ("Crusty") SOLD '67 GMC SWB ("Murdock") 2000 K1500 Suburban ("Betty") '95 BMW 325i ("Joy")

10-19-2007, 12:49 AM	#7
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Re: Opinions on painted calipers Don't know if you all noticed but they already are painted with a stainless coating. __________________ 72 Cheyenne SWB Fleet Nut & bolt frame off in progress...99.9999% - supercharged 383 - 4 wheel discs - relocated fuel tank - My Build Thread

10-19-2007, 12:50 AM	#8
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: Opinions on painted calipers Myself, I think they look like they have just the right amount of bling as is...

10-19-2007, 02:14 AM	#9
EAST SIDE LOW LIFE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,602	Re: Opinions on painted calipers X2 .... I agree with Corn. esll. __________________ Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff. ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! Author: Warren Lake .... (member)

10-19-2007, 08:16 AM	#10
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Opinions on painted calipers They look nice just like they are. There is just enough shine to make them noticable. Leave them alone! __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

10-19-2007, 08:25 AM	#11
way2lo2 way2lo2 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cleveland , Ohio Posts: 803	Re: Opinions on painted calipers They look fine the way they are but if you decided to painted them red, smooth the rough casting first. will have much better result. Here are some red calipers on my 58 Chevy, of course they were red when I bought them. Attached Images

10-19-2007, 09:02 AM	#12
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Opinions on painted calipers Charcoal gray or black. Not red! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

10-19-2007, 09:19 AM	#13
Alvin Never Done? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,435	Re: Opinions on painted calipers I painted my calipers black, but I also took the time to grind the face of the caliper smooth. I'm hoping they look as good as I think they will once they're on the truck behind some nice wheels. __________________ Ethel - The Legend Continues... Ethel has been sold.

10-19-2007, 10:55 AM	#15
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	Re: Opinions on painted calipers I'm thinking either black or the color of your truck would look great. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

10-19-2007, 11:19 AM	#16
Shock_Me Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 587	Re: Opinions on painted calipers I'm of the opinion that brake calipers need some kind of paint or coating to prevent them from rusting. With the larger, modern open spoke type rims you can really see what's happening back there with your rotors and calipers. As far as color, well that's a matter of personal taste. I painted my brother's calipers red because he liked the look on his medium olive stepside, (I'd post a pic, but I can't from work). I painted my orange 68's calipers gloss black, simply because the red would most likely clash with the body color. I don't think it looks "fake", it's a real caliper, just with a little detail added. Yours looks great the way they are though Jim. It's a clean look that doesn't distract from the rim. Cheers, Pete



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10-19-2007, 11:25 AM	#17
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Opinions on painted calipers They look great as is __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

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