Caliper painting?

[Zchild]

Hey bimmer dreamers and gearheads I've got a question... I currently have my eye on a set of 18" MB Motoring chrome Vapor's. They are five spoke and beautiful. My bimmer brake calipers have taken on Mid-Atlantic winters, snow, slush, grime, salt and road chemicals over several winters in our nations capitol. I recently discovered a brake caliper paint set which boasts the probability of refinishing my calipers in a new color and adding a decent like to my otherwise un-attractive calipers. I also discovered while surfing Ebay E46 BMW brake caliper covers that look promising and lastly there is outside possibility of buying brand new brake calipers and painting them myself. Any who, all opinions are welcome please give me any thoughts concerning these ideas. Thanks in advanced...
Happy Motoring. [driving2]

 

[dball711]

Personally I like the plain BMW calipers in silver or black, they are very good performance wise. What I plan on doing to mine is moving to cross drilled rotors, really like the look.

 

[Zchild]

I've got the cross drilled rotorson my bimmer, I added them when I changed out my brakes, pads, sensors and rotors. The cross drilled rotors came in cost wise the same price as the OEM rotors and look a great deal more attractive. I'm looking to do something to my calipers that will prevent them from rusting and keep them looking appealing. I really like the look and proformance of the cross drilled rotors.
Happy Motoring...[driving2]

 

[Big Daddy]

I painted my calipers using black and they no longer rust, look good and shine. Cross drilled rotors are a wate of money for street use. They warp and crack faster than stock OEM rotors and other than looks provide no benefit for street driving. If you are aware of that and still want them for looks, that is your choice. Slotted rotors on the other hand do provide a benefit even for street use.

 

[PhatBimmer]

Big Daddy is right about those slotted rotors, best for street and a bit of playing around.

 

[Zchild]

My bimmer dude in Chesapeake, VA told me a simular story. He said that the Cross-drilled rotors were not any good for racing but were not distructive for street usage. He further stated that the Cross-drilled retained too much heat and wouldn't vent properly for track racing and warpped at high temperatures. Lastly, he said that I could possibly enjoy greater benefit from either slotted or OE rotors on the street. The question still remains... In your humble opinion bimmer-nation, should I clean and paint my own rusted calipers, buy caliper covers or buy and paint new calipers. The paint costs 37.50 plus time and baking the rotors. The caliper covers cost 170.00 for four covers, two back and two front. The new calipers cost 350.00 plus the cost of paint and time. Lastly, I would like to know if anyone has bought a set of caliper covers and how they like them. Thanks in advance...
Happy Motoring. [driving2]

 

[William330]

You can probably remove them, wire-brush them, and then sand
them by hand. It may also be possible to bring them to a shop and
have them sand blasted for a few bucks.

After they're cleaned up, get some heat tolerant paint.

Total cost would be very low...

That's what I'd do first, and see how they look.

 

[Zchild]

Thanks, William330 I like this idea and it is the most inexpensive route to pursue. I'm exploring all avenues and approaches to solving this delimma... I suppose I could find a shop who could do it all in a single day. Thanks again...
Happy Motoring [driving2]

 

[Big Daddy]

I bought claiper paint for 5.99 a can from Pep-Boys and it worked great!