Brake Calliper Paint

[TQ]

So I'm going to paint my brake callipers but I have absolutely no idea what sort of paint to use.

I've been looking around the web and some people seem to have got good results using a brush on specialist calliper paint, some using an aerosol calliper paint and some using regular rattle cans.

I wanted to mask off a design which will be left as polished bare metal but I'm unsure if the paint will stick to the bits around the design if I polish it before painting or if I'll strip the paint off if I polish after painting.

What does everyone think? Anyone got experience with any specific brands of paint etc....?
____________________
First Bike :Gilera DNA 50 | Second: Imported 1989 NSR125
Third: 1998 Yamaha XJ600N | Currently: 1999 Yamaha FZS600

[Frost]

Brake caliper paint?

[Acemastr]

paint won't stick to polished metal, you'd have to sand the rest of the metal down, i once painted my cars calipers with bright red hammerite, came out ok, but you'd see bike calipers better so may want to spray them to get the best finish
____________________
2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[TQ]

Since paint won't stick to polished metal can you polish bits you've masked off after you've painted or will it strip the paint?

I'm thinking I'll get a better finish with a rattle can, does it need to be special paint or will any do?

Also trying to work out how matt black would look.
____________________
First Bike :Gilera DNA 50 | Second: Imported 1989 NSR125
Third: 1998 Yamaha XJ600N | Currently: 1999 Yamaha FZS600

[Frost]

[DrDonnyBrago]

Polish it, then key the surface of the overly smooth bits you want to paint with some aluminium oxide paper. Mask off the polished bits during spraying and then clean up any edges with a bit of metal polish and very fine abrasive paper.

I'm assuming you want some lettering or similar to be polished whilst the rest is painted, the smaller the polished bits the harder it will be to keep the edges sharp. Also note that bare aluminium doesn't stay shiny for long, you'll be buffing/polishing them frequently if you want it to stay looking shiny.

[TQ]

You may well be right there. I was in two minds about leaving it bare metal or doing it in white (calliper will be black).

Frosty, however useful stating the obvious might be I was actually after people's opinion who have used the products. Have you painted callipers using halfords brake calliper paint? I looked at it but it would appear they don't do it in black.
____________________
First Bike :Gilera DNA 50 | Second: Imported 1989 NSR125
Third: 1998 Yamaha XJ600N | Currently: 1999 Yamaha FZS600

[Frost]

Brake caliper paint is more resistant to brake fluid, which strips ordinary paint very effectively. The paint is also fairly heat proof, which can be an issue with normal paint. They do it in black and i have used it and it does what it's supposed to.

Anything near the wheels tends to get caked in salt and oxidise. Having painted parts and non painted parts will result in the oxidation going under the paint and helping to strip it off, rather like rush bubbles in a cars paint work.

If you want a shiny bit, i suggest you paint it on

[TQ]

Did you use the brush on type or the rattle can type? It would appear they make both and I'm unsure which will give the best finish (and be the easiest to use).

I'm starting to think the bare metal is a stupid idea so will probably just spray it silver, mask it then paint it black. The silver won't affect the shade of black will it? i.e. I don't need to do the whole calliper silver just the bit that'll be masked off for when the black goes on.

Do you normally clear coat callipers?
____________________
First Bike :Gilera DNA 50 | Second: Imported 1989 NSR125
Third: 1998 Yamaha XJ600N | Currently: 1999 Yamaha FZS600