Painted calipers with Duplicolor
04-25-2010, 05:23 PM
#11
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Cape Cod, Mass
Posts: 213
The polishing is to change the surface finish of the base metal, not to clean the metal.
Many metal parts are cast, then machined as required for the function. The cast surface has a texture.
The polishing is to remove the texture, so that once painted the final result is glossy.
That's what I did on my calipers.
Also, on my marine parts I polish first, then apply a metal prep, then an epoxy, then lightly sand again, more epoxy and then a finish coat. The result is a glossy plastic finish.
On most metal parts I use a right-angle air die grinder and woven pads.
Many metal parts are cast, then machined as required for the function. The cast surface has a texture.
The polishing is to remove the texture, so that once painted the final result is glossy.
That's what I did on my calipers.
Also, on my marine parts I polish first, then apply a metal prep, then an epoxy, then lightly sand again, more epoxy and then a finish coat. The result is a glossy plastic finish.
On most metal parts I use a right-angle air die grinder and woven pads.
04-25-2010, 05:46 PM
#12
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sterling Heights, MI
Posts: 3,792
I painted my calipers 3-1/2 years ago with the DupliColor kit and they are starting to chip quite a bit now. Mine was new when I did them so they were very clean. I'm just going to spot paint the chips. Good luck on yours.
04-25-2010, 06:30 PM
#13
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 312
The polishing is to change the surface finish of the base metal, not to clean the metal.
Many metal parts are cast, then machined as required for the function. The cast surface has a texture.
The polishing is to remove the texture, so that once painted the final result is glossy.
That's what I did on my calipers.
Also, on my marine parts I polish first, then apply a metal prep, then an epoxy, then lightly sand again, more epoxy and then a finish coat. The result is a glossy plastic finish.
On most metal parts I use a right-angle air die grinder and woven pads.
Many metal parts are cast, then machined as required for the function. The cast surface has a texture.
The polishing is to remove the texture, so that once painted the final result is glossy.
That's what I did on my calipers.
Also, on my marine parts I polish first, then apply a metal prep, then an epoxy, then lightly sand again, more epoxy and then a finish coat. The result is a glossy plastic finish.
On most metal parts I use a right-angle air die grinder and woven pads.
Bronze is one of my favorite metals. Whenever possible I leave it as polished. Mosty I cover it w/ Pettit Metal Prep, then Pettit 4700/4701 epoxy. On interior, above waterline metal I use Rustoleum Professional.
Another favorite is cast iron. It polishes up very well. This axle is polished and painted w/ Rustoleum Professional. It has held up well for many years.
This is the right-angle die grinder and woven pads.
Aluminum is a great metal. It shines like chrome when polished.
My least favorite is stainless steel. It is very, very hard and hard to polish.
Last edited by wingless; 04-25-2010 at 06:32 PM.
04-25-2010, 06:33 PM
#14
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 312
04-26-2010, 05:38 AM
#17
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Cape Cod, Mass
Posts: 213
04-30-2010, 06:00 PM
#19
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sterling Heights, MI
Posts: 3,792
04-30-2010, 06:25 PM
#20
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 312
On mine I removed the calipers, but didn't disconnect the brake hose, didn't remove the piston and didn't split the caliper when I polished the metal to a high gloss, then spray painted the calipers.