New EBC pads + spring clips, black rotors and white calipers on S3 - Lots of pics

[ApolloS3]

Hey guys,

Ok so the past couple of weeks ive been meaning to get round to painting my calipers and rotors as they looked awful, so i had a free week where i could work on them, although the weather was totally against me doing them, when there was a dry day i went out and cracked on with them.

So heres what ive been up to...

Before





My old retaining clips were very faded and stained black, so i got a new pair from Cardiff Audi...



Now, as i wanted white calipers to match the car, i sprayed the back of my pads black so the red wouldnt be visible through the calipers






Before i got the pads fitted, I painted the calipers white using hammerite white aerosol (Bad idea in hindsight).
As soon as i started spraying the calipers, the weather completely changed and the heavens opened, typical welsh weather.

Front caliper before



Front caliper after



Sanded down the rears and started spraying







So now i got the ebc pads fitted...

and to my horror, the calipers were totally ruined, even though the paint had dried, it was chipped all over, so, another sunny day and i went out, sanded them all down and hand painted them, which i think came out much nicer than sprayed, also did the rotors black as they were completely rusted over, planning on upgrading them very soon...







Also started cleaning the alloys...



Wish i cleaned the wheel for this picture







Finished...



So, learn from my mistakes:

1) dont spray paint calipers if it looks like its going to rain or be very windy
2) dont spray paint calipers if your getting pads fitted straight after
3) hand paint them, much more control over what your painting
4) dont try and bed in new pads after painting

Although personally i much prefer white, i am noticing they are an absolute sod to keep clean now.

Thoughts?

 

[NHN]

Not my cup of tea, not sure the white calipers suits tbh, I think black would of been better, but if you like then thats all that matters.

 

[S3Alex]

Not my cup of tea, not sure the white calipers suits tbh, I think black would of been better, but if you like then thats all that matters.

I'm afraid that's a no from me as well.....calipers in black look fine as they get pretty black anyway....white doesn't really do it for me either,but as long as ApolloS3 likes it....

 

[ApolloS3]

Not my cup of tea, not sure the white calipers suits tbh, I think black would of been better, but if you like then thats all that matters.

Yeah they were standard black before, but everyone seems to have either red or black.

Wondering whether to get my wheels done black now

 

[S3Alex]

Yeah they were standard black before, but everyone seems to have either red or black.Wondering whether to get my wheels done black now

It's not my cup of tea,and it would certainly make those calipers stand out,but don't do anything you can't undo come sale time.

 

[ApolloS3]

It's not my cup of tea,and it would certainly make those calipers stand out,but don't do anything you can't undo come sale time.

Was thinking maybe try plastidip, can see what it looks like, then take it off if its not what i wanted

 

[Zak0123]

Looking good! I've always wanted to do this just wasn't sure how long they would last staying white..

 

[KentKid]

Good luck pal, they're are going to be an absolute NIGHTMARE to keep clean...

 

[ApolloS3]

Looking good! I've always wanted to do this just wasn't sure how long they would last staying white..

Thanks, as long as you stick to the normal roads and dont drive through loads of puddles they stay pretty clean, ive invested in some wheel cleaner just to give a quick spray now and then instead of having to wash the whole car. Black is the only colour which you dont notice the dirt, but then you cant really see the calipers, they stand out at night really well

 

[MrLapou]

How do the red pads perform?

 

[ApolloS3]

How do the red pads perform?

Awesome now theyre bedded in, stops much quicker than the oem pads, and very little brake dust.

 

[S3Alex]

How do the red pads perform?

I think a lot if it is personal preferences.

I tried them as a stopgap before a big brake kit and really didn't like them.

I didn't find any benefits but lots of people seem ok with them.