Should I Paint or Sand Blast my Calipers?

[Starscream88]

Got all my 5 Lug SN-95 Stuff,
Should I paint them or Sand Blast them?


Im thinking paint will look crappy over time, But sand blasting it will return it to its original condition and make it look "new" again,

What do you guys think?

 

[stangbear427]

Sand blast them, and then paint them with high temp block paint

 

[Starscream88]

Lol so just do both and forget it

I think im gonna try the sand blast thing first,
If I like the finish ill leave them alone,


Anyone else ever sandblasted car stuff before?
Got any before and after pics?

 

[stangbear427]

Don't have pics, but I've done my share. Brake parts actually did come with a coating of sorts from the factory, so you should do something to them after blasting or they won't look good for long. I suppose with enough polishing and constant maintinance, but I'd rather paint them once and keep them clean.

 

[Starscream88]

I might just do that

But then what color for the calipers?
Black? Silver? Or Red?

Im undecided

 

[stangbear427]

Well, with assuming your stang is black, I think highly polished would look best- but we already discussed the issues that presents. I'd go for red myself

 

[BlackFox5.0]

If you sandblast them they will just rust, or corrode if you have the dual piston aluminum calipers...So you should paint them

 

[Michael Yount]

They make brake caliper specific paint - it's a two-part paint (catalyst mixes in with the base) that's really hard and heat resistant. Also very glossy/smooth so that the brake dust doesn't adhere. There's lots of rubber bits in the calipers - no way I'd sandblast. I found that simple and thorough cleaning and application of the caliper-specific paint worked real well on mine - I got the paint from The Eastwood Company. I painted the hubs and calipers black - I like the way that looks. And it's held up exceptionally well - been on for near 2 years now and still looks like I just did it. Just be sure you have all four of them clean and ready to paint - you only get about 45 minutes once you mix the paint. Also, it goes on with a brush, but then smooths out and looks like you painted it with spray - so application is simple.

Color choice is subjective of course - so pick what you like. One thing to remember however - any flat paint (most of the high temp header or bbq type paints) are gonna pick up a lot of brake dust, and the reds and silvers will be constantly dirty - another reason to go with black.