Advice needed - Removing calipers (for spraying)

azibux1 · Mar 26, 2017

Hi all,

As above... I thought I'd make a dedicated thread as it might attract the attention of people who have removed the calipers for any reason

I am looking at removing them (leaving brake lines attached) just so I can properly mask the disk and remove the pads / other components of the calipers that you can't spray

Questions please

1 - Is the above over the top to spray the calipers? (I want to spray as opposed to brush it for a better finish and this seems the easiest way to mask/remove bits I don't want to be spraying)
2 - Do I still need to primer it / sand down as it is already nice new-ish black factory paint on them surely and not bare metal? Car is only a few months old, so cleaning the calipers should be sufficient or not?
3 - If the answer to sanding down is a no, should I still use red primer just to help hide the black coming through?
4 - Main question... WHERE DO I START?!

Reasonably 'technically' minded but therefore usually stick to stuff inside the car, bluetooth kits, dashcams, electronics etc... don't normally do much mechanical work. I did a work experience placement for 2 weeks at Volvo a few years ago and I remember something regarding the general process about removing two bolts and a retaining clip (which I can't see on the S3, maybe behind the S3 logo plate?) and the caliper seemed quite easy to remove? Obviously being the brake system I don't want to mess anything up!!
5 - Is the process for the rears the same?

Any advice and tips appreciated please! If anyone has any pics of exactly which bits I need to undo that would be amazing!!

@Rob2k68 and @Craig Cull you've done some work on brakes recently on your S3's I believe? Any chance you could drop any pointers?

Thanks!!

Craig Cull · Mar 26, 2017

@azibux1 we offer this as a service for customers that want better finish than with a brush, but dont want to spend the extra on powder coating.
Personally i would leave them in situe and get as least involved as possible. Good enough masking and painting at lower pressure should get the desired finish. I usually use brake cleaner and a wire brush to prepare, etch prime and de nib (even though caliper paint is direct application to bare metal) then mask and paint. Leave over night and build up in the morning.

Remove anything thats easily removable and mask the rest.

Hope this helps, enjoy!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Rob2k68 · Mar 26, 2017

Hello mate. First issue I can think of is that the space is going to be very restrictive under the wheel arches you'll need to handle or support the caliper to take the weight off it so there's no stress on the line - not an ideal environment for painting as any crud from the arch may well spoil your handy work. I'd either remove completely or paint them in situ with a brush - lots of videos on you tube how to achieve a decent finish.

As they sound in great condition already just a fine grade of sandpaper to provide a key if spraying or a wire brush if that's not sufficient and yes I'd be inclined to use a red primer. Probably two coats of top coat applied directly without primer if brushing should do the trick.

Think someone has just done this on one of the face lift threads.

Audi Bairn · Mar 26, 2017

I'm not as knowledgable as the guys above but I've done my own previously by leaving in situ, cleaning, sanding, masking and spraying then applying decals to the calliper.
I'll be doing my own (and the wife's TT) at some point but I intend keeping the S3 panel on the calliper by just masking it and painting the rest.

azibux1 · Mar 27, 2017

Thanks all! Sounds best to leave them right where they are then ha

That's good as it avoids me potentially messing something up.

@Craig Cull what does it mean to 'de-nib'? And in your experience (shame you're not closer!) would you recommend spraying with a rattle can or brushing the paint on? Someone said you get a reasonable finish with a brush because the paint is quite thick so hides the brush lines, but I imagine even an average rattle can job will be better than a good brush job?

@Rob2k68 I think I know the thread you mean... wasn't it @RedS3Reilly though who already had red factory calipers and he just painted the S3 logo plate? Or is there another thread I've missed?

@Audi Bairn I thought about that masking of the logo as it was mentioned in another thread, but then it will have a black outline (of the original colour) around the logo surely? I think if I do it I'll go similar to the @RedS3Reilly route and paint over, then get some vinyl stickers made up to remake either an S3 or quattro logo

SevenW · Mar 27, 2017

Many many years ago I painted my calipers on a Pug 206, I didn't spray and I didn't want red, I bought a tin of Gold Hammerite, and lightly brushed the paint on, I put about 3 thin coats on and the calipers looked very OE for years to come.
I did take out the pads and then bolted the caliper back in place so I wouldn't get paint on the pad backs and going slowly not to get paint over the slider boots.

Rob2k68 · Mar 27, 2017

azibux1 said:
Thanks all! Sounds best to leave them right where they are then ha That's good as it avoids me potentially messing something up.

@Craig Cull what does it mean to 'de-nib'? And in your experience (shame you're not closer!) would you recommend spraying with a rattle can or brushing the paint on? Someone said you get a reasonable finish with a brush because the paint is quite thick so hides the brush lines, but I imagine even an average rattle can job will be better than a good brush job?

@Rob2k68 I think I know the thread you mean... wasn't it @RedS3Reilly though who already had red factory calipers and he just painted the S3 logo plate? Or is there another thread I've missed?

@Audi Bairn I thought about that masking of the logo as it was mentioned in another thread, but then it will have a black outline (of the original colour) around the logo surely? I think if I do it I'll go similar to the @RedS3Reilly route and paint over, then get some vinyl stickers made up to remake either an S3 or quattro logo

It was @mike price here :-

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/thread...o-badge-calipers-painted.306561/#post-2907378

azibux1 · Mar 27, 2017

Rob2k68 said:
It was @mike price here :-

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/thread...o-badge-calipers-painted.306561/#post-2907378

Ahh nice! They do look good!!

Maybe @mike price could please let us know the spray/brush technique he used?

mike price · Mar 29, 2017

Hey, sorry just seen this.

i left the calipers on and just used a sponge brush, ill find the link to them, then i used halfords red caliper paint.

Take the time to prep and mask up as this will reflect in the final finsih.

azibux1 · Mar 29, 2017

mike price said:
Hey, sorry just seen this.

i left the calipers on and just used a sponge brush, ill find the link to them, then i used halfords red caliper paint.

Take the time to prep and mask up as this will reflect in the final finsih.

Thanks! I really like yours! Seems to have a good finish especially if you brushed it on

mike price · Mar 30, 2017

Amazon product

thats what i used mate

azibux1 · Mar 31, 2017

Awesome thanks!

Rob2k68 · Mar 31, 2017

azibux1 said:
Awesome thanks!

Job for the weekend ?

azibux1 · Mar 31, 2017

Rob2k68 said:
Job for the weekend ?

Potentially... depends what paint halfords have in stock! And what the weather app says haha

azibux1 · Apr 6, 2017

@mike price If you see this... did you use primer or not? I imagine not?

azibux1 · Apr 9, 2017

Made progress and the backs are looking good (if I may say so myself lol)

Will get the fronts done on the next nice day and post pics all in one go

Thanks all!

azibux1 · Apr 11, 2017

OK so sneak preview pic!

(yes there is a tiny bit of red on the disk lol at about 5 o'clock near the caliper, but it will come off no worries)... and the smidge in the middle of the pad lol

Quite happy with that!!

Thoughts??

Did the hubs in silver hammerite too

Looking forward to doing the fronts on the next nice-ish day

EDIT: This pic reminded me that I forgot to remove two small bits of masking tape... anyone spot the one that is visible?

10 internet points if so haha

Rob2k68 · Apr 11, 2017

Looking good matey !

pburv · Apr 11, 2017

azibux1 said:
OK so sneak preview pic!

(yes there is a tiny bit of red on the disk lol at about 5 o'clock near the caliper, but it will come off no worries)... and the smidge in the middle of the pad lol

Quite happy with that!!

Thoughts??

Did the hubs in silver hammerite too

Looking forward to doing the fronts on the next nice-ish day

EDIT: This pic reminded me that I forgot to remove two small bits of masking tape... anyone spot the one that is visible? 10 internet points if so haha

View attachment 122211

Nice job mate....You've earned a cookie.. :friends:

As for the tape.....My bet is on the round bit above the bleed nipple cover???
Then again knowing you there is no masking tape at all Haha

azibux1 · Apr 11, 2017

Rob2k68 said:
Looking good matey !

Thanks Rob!

pburv said:
Nice job mate....You've earned a cookie..
As for the tape.....My bet is on the round bit above the bleed nipple cover???
Then again knowing you there is no masking tape at all Haha

Haha thanks!

Nope I think the bleed nipple is just the bit I accidentally forgot to tape and got a bit of paint on lol

The tape is on the little silver round circle the bolt goes into right at the top of the caliper (from behind) as I wasn't sure if I could / should get paint on that or not!

azibux1 · Apr 11, 2017

I primer'd the 'S3' plates for the front calipers... Now I've just realised that was maybe a complete waste of time lol, because I think they are possible just as 'painted' as the factory calipers were... so I could have probably just painted over them as I did with the calipers ha

Oops

azibux1 · Apr 16, 2017

Posted in the "What have you done to your 8V today?" thread but thought I'd post it here too for completeness if anyone sees this thread in months to come..

Rob2k68 · Apr 16, 2017

azibux1 said:
Posted in the "What have you done to your 8V today?" thread but thought I'd post it here too for completeness if anyone sees this thread in months to come..

View attachment 122588

Great job mate - painting the rear pad retaining spring black is a nice detail too.

azibux1 · Apr 16, 2017

Rob2k68 said:
Great job mate - painting the rear pad retaining spring black is a nice detail too.

Thanks!

Ha nice spot!

I thought it would tidy it up a bit

Advice needed - Removing calipers (for spraying)

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