Caliper Painting Kit

Recommended items: Small nylon scrubbing brush, chemical safe spray bottle, masking tape, eye protection, and an optional detail artists paint brush. These products should only be handled when wearing chemical resistant gloves and eye protection. Use in a well ventilated area only. Read all safety precautions on labels before beginning. 

Step 1: Remove all four wheels from vehicle. Calipers don’t need to be removed. Don’t remove brake line. Make sure your calipers and lines are not leaking brake fluid. 

Step 2: Thoroughly clean caliper surfaces to be painted with POR-15 Cleaner Degreaser. Spray on the cleaner and brush the dirt, grease and grime with a small scrub brush or toothbrush. Rinse caliper thoroughly with water and dry with clean towel. Wear protective gloves, glasses, and mask, when cleaning your calipers. You may need to clean more than once, if calipers are very dirty. Read directions on POR-15 Cleaner Degreaser container before using. 

Step 3: Once calipers are completely dry, apply POR-15 Metal Prep and keep surface wet for 20 minutes, Then wash off POR-15 Metal Prep with water and dry thoroughly. Calipers must be completely dry before applying the Rust Preventive coating. 

Step 4: Mask off the areas not to be painted. Tape and mask off the brake bleeder screw, brake lines, and caliper piston boots and anything else you don’t want painted. 

Step 5: Open the small can of POR-15 Rust Preventive Coating and Stir (don’t shake), making sure the contents are thoroughly mixed. Using a foam or brush paint the caliper evenly with a thin coat. Make sure the coating is evenly applied but not to the point where the paint runs. Because this is a rust preventive coating you want to be sure you don’t miss any spots which could rust if not coated. Heavily rusted or pitted calipers may require two thin coats. If a second coat is needed, apply when the first coat is just dry to the touch, with slight finger-drag remaining (dry but still tacky). 

Step 6: When the POR-15 Rust Preventive Coating is just dry to the touch, with slight finger-drag remaining (dry but still tacky), normally in the 2-5 hour range, it’s ready for the POR-15 Caliper Paint to be applied. Open the can of POR-15 Caliper Paint, stir thoroughly don’t shake the can. Apply the first coat in thin but even strokes. When the first coat is dry (3 -4 hours), apply a second coat to achieve a beautiful ceramic-like finish. 

NOTE: Best to give yourself at least two days to do the job. Some find it easier to clean and prep on first day and coat and paint on the second day. Do Not use POR-15 Caliper Paint on braking surfaces such as discs, drums, brake pads or shoes. If paint comes in contact with these surfaces, clean immediately or replace parts. Read all instructions thoroughly before use. Product should be applied in a well-ventilated, dust-free environment between 56°F and 86°F degrees Fahrenheit and Humidity between 50%-70%. Brake dust may contain asbestos. Wear safety glasses and NIOSH approved face mask when cleaning brake components. Block the tires to keep vehicle from moving. Use jack stands when working underneath vehicles.