View Full Version : Red or Black Calipers
JHousyS4
07-12-2004, 05:21 AM
What do you guys think..Red or Black? Im kinda leaning towards black. How would i go about doing this? I heard break dust is a major pain in the ass. ANy suggestions? Also...for DIY - should i jsut jack the car and take off each wheel one at a time?
EVIL-AUDI
07-12-2004, 05:23 AM
What color is your car. Some will say to leave red up to the BBK's, but it's your car.
JHousyS4
07-12-2004, 05:35 AM
The car is black with stock s4 OEM rims. Also where can i get audi brake decals. EBAY?
EVIL-AUDI
07-12-2004, 05:55 AM
Mots sticker shops can make them for you no problem for alot cheaper than ebay. Even check with our resident sticker guru Quattro 30V. He can do them for you aswell. Black would be nice. but red wouldn't looks shabby on that color car either.
I95Racer
07-12-2004, 02:35 PM
Black calipers get lost on a black car IMO. I have red calipers and they look sick contrasting with my black paint.
I did it myself by jacking up each wheel one at a time. I have freinds that used jack stand which saved time and effort. I used dupi-color's kit which I got from advanced auto parts for $15. The kit comes with everything you need, including the brake dust remover.
SuperbSantorin4
07-12-2004, 03:11 PM
Ok well, I'd go with red, but only if you are going to go all out and do a good job. If you half ass the red then your going to wish you never touched the brakes, it will start to fade fast and dull out. Also I would totally not recommend doing one wheel at a time b/c of how long it will take for the calipers to dry. I'd use jackstands and do one end at a time and let it sit overnight or find a lift you can use.
For example I used a lift(I know not everyone has access to it) and put about 4-5 coats on each corner after drying. It takes a long time for the coat to dry enough to apply another coat on top. My process took all of one whole day and left it on the lift over night for the last coat to dry. If you do one side at a time and dont let it sit for a long enough period of time, the brake dust after moving the car will get imbedded into the paint and look like crap. So yeah take your time and give it a bunch of coats, mine came out awesome and people confuse my brakes for an aftermarket Big brake kit all the time. I heard a final clear coat helps too, I wish I tried it but never got around to it.
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v292/SuperbSantorings/audis4bibrakes.jpg
Onethirtyeight
07-12-2004, 06:57 PM
Go with a nice glossly black.
Red is too loud on stock calipers (eventhough the S4 calipers are a decent size like the above stated if red is not done perfectly it will look bad.)
Go with black!
RippleChip
07-12-2004, 07:03 PM
I went black on mine and put decals on, very happy with the results.
Its definitely a DIY. Get a caliper paint kit from a local auto store, clean the calipers well and your all set.
JHousyS4
07-12-2004, 08:20 PM
Well guys - i got inpatient and i had someone do it for me cuz i was at this tire place with a nail in my front right tire. They said they would do it for 75$ so i said what the hell...sure. They paint it black...good job except they wait like 15 minutes to dry and then they took it on test run to test my brakes....or my s4. Anyways i get home and there are already spots and shit on the fronts. Im kinda pissed but the audi decals will help it. They look good on the rears, nice and glossy black...if i knew how to post a pic i would. Should i be a dick and ask them to do more coats...i kinda want red now...AIGH
SuperbSantorin4
07-12-2004, 08:36 PM
I guess I warned you too late. Your lucky you didnt go red b/c they would be covered in dust right now. The drying process is the biggest factor, you have to let it sit for hours b/c the paint, although it may feel dry, warm up when under braking and soften the fresh paint and crap sticks on it.
JHousyS4
07-12-2004, 10:24 PM
Originally posted by SuperbSantorin4
I guess I warned you too late. Your lucky you didnt go red b/c they would be covered in dust right now. The drying process is the biggest factor, you have to let it sit for hours b/c the paint, although it may feel dry, warm up when under braking and soften the fresh paint and crap sticks on it.
Should i go back to the shop and ask them to re-do it? For 75 bucks, they damn well should. I would like the put the audi rings on the calipers too...i need those...ebay is 12 bucks...a little high for 4 stickers. Anyways, they drove the car immediatly after they were finished - so its their fault it didnt dry.
SuperbSantorin4
07-12-2004, 11:28 PM
Well its worth a try, take pics of it and post it. Go to photobucket.com and start an account then put the link in your post.
EVIL-AUDI
07-13-2004, 05:20 AM
Wow $75? Rip off
Live2Ski
07-13-2004, 06:21 AM
I am planning on doing this too. I bought VHT Flameproof paint. It says its good to 1200-1500 degrees. Anyone have any experience with this product? Will it get gummy and have stuff stick on it when the calipers get hot? Thanks.
EVIL-AUDI
07-13-2004, 06:22 AM
Is the VHT the one in the can I know that I used VH something or other and it was great. Held up awesome and the sticker worked good too.
Live2Ski
07-13-2004, 06:27 AM
Yeah its in the can. I got the primer, flat black and clear coat (to give it a glossy look).
EVIL-AUDI
07-13-2004, 06:56 AM
Originally posted by Live2Ski
Yeah its in the can. I got the primer, flat black and clear coat (to give it a glossy look).
Yeah that stuff works nicely.
SuperbSantorin4
07-13-2004, 02:43 PM
"Wow $75? Rip off"
Actually a friend of mine shop charges 100 bucks, but they do a good job. However he has to tell alot of people he cant do it b/c the car sits on the lift for so long, otherwise if it was a quicker job he could live off just painting calipers.
YoYoCome
07-13-2004, 03:40 PM
I went with Black calipers. [:D]
http://www.pbase.com/image/31266136
widm3r
07-13-2004, 04:13 PM
Those are hot...I have never seen them before![;)]
Originally posted by YoYoCome
I went with Black calipers. [:D]
http://www.pbase.com/image/31266136
EVIL-AUDI
07-14-2004, 03:46 AM
Originally posted by SuperbSantorin4
"Wow $75? Rip off"
Actually a friend of mine shop charges 100 bucks, but they do a good job. However he has to tell alot of people he cant do it b/c the car sits on the lift for so long, otherwise if it was a quicker job he could live off just painting calipers.
I'm personally just into doing things myself, so paying that much for a pretty thoughtless job seems a bit ridiculius to me.
indica
07-14-2004, 07:49 AM
i have heard nothing but good stuff about the folia-tec caliper paint. a few guys from our group have used it with good results. i am in the middle of determining what color to paint mine as well. I was going to do black but i think everyone has talked me into red. who knows, i have still not bought the paint yet, but i am leaning twords red now.
here is a link to the folia-tec paint, its about 35 bucks for a can.
http://www.ppsonline.net/foliatec.htm#brake