Dodge Caliber Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Painting Rotor Hats

Jump to Latest
1 - 18 of 18 Posts

MoparSrt-4

· Registered
Joined
·
876 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am looking to make my brake rotors black instead of grey. The grey was perfect for when I had the silver wheels on, but now they stand out with my new black wheels.
I am trying to decide whether to powdercoat them, paint them with brake caliper paint, or use a hi-temp grill paint.
The main thing I want is for them to look good and not chip off in 3 months. The finish needs to be pretty strong since I need to paint the flat section of the rotor which the wheel touches since the wheels shows this part.
I'm afraid to hand paint this flat part with caliper paint because I have a feeling that it would just stick to the wheels and chip off and look worse.
Price isn't an issue because I could get them powdercoated for free and the two types of paint aren't too expensive.
Any ideas?

(The wheel in this picture wasn't finished being painted yet. They are all black now:bigthumb:)
 

Attachments

#2 ·
That Rustoleum stuff will work just fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MoparSrt-4
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#3 ·
based on absolutley no knowledge of any kind I vote for powder coating!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MoparSrt-4
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Black Sleeper said:
1) Gently brush or sand them
2) Clean with brake cleaner
3) Paint it black with spray can (anything that is good over rust)

It will be good enough.

I think it is overkill to powdercoat them.
Click to expand...
Do you have any idea if this will hold up on the areas where the wheels contact the rotor? Have you done this yourself?

Anyone else have experience with painting rotors?
(Oh yeah, and yes that is a TPMS sensor I got from you, Black Sleeper!)
 
#6 ·
The brush on brake calipe paint is really good stuff. I used it on calipers of my old r/t and they still looked perfect after last winter which was horrible with snow and salt. They sell red, silver, and black but they are all glossy. You can buy it at any auto parts store.
 
#7 ·
MoparSrt-4 said:
I am looking to make my brake rotors black instead of grey. The grey was perfect for when I had the silver wheels on, but now they stand out with my new black wheels.
I am trying to decide whether to powdercoat them, paint them with brake caliper paint, or use a hi-temp grill paint.
The main thing I want is for them to look good and not chip off in 3 months. The finish needs to be pretty strong since I need to paint the flat section of the rotor which the wheel touches since the wheels shows this part.
I'm afraid to hand paint this flat part with caliper paint because I have a feeling that it would just stick to the wheels and chip off and look worse.
Price isn't an issue because I could get them powdercoated for free and the two types of paint aren't too expensive.
Any ideas?

(The wheel in this picture wasn't finished being painted yet. They are all black now:bigthumb:)
Click to expand...
i paint mine with black caliper paint, or hi-temp paint (something like that, i really cant remember) like 8 month have passed, and they still looks nice like the 1st day...
 
#8 ·
I did mine in black many moons ago. It adds some contrast.

Image

Image
 
  • Like
Reactions: MoparSrt-4 and Black Sleeper
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#10 ·
MoparSrt-4 said:
What route did you go, and how are they holding up? Any tips you would like to share?
Click to expand...
I used the high heat engine paint. Clean wheels really good and allow to dry. Tape up and cut outer edge of rotor hat all around so that only the hat is exposed. Spray--dry for 15--spray--dry for 15--spray--dry for 15.

I did 3 light coats and they've held up for over a year now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MoparSrt-4 and stokedcSRT4
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #12 ·
I am bringing this thread back to life because I am having some issues.

I painted my rear rotors this past weekend and the wheels pulled the paint right off of the rotor hat where the wheel contacts the rotor.

I took off the rear rotors, used a wire wheel on a drill and removed all the old paint to make sure that the paint would have a good surface to stick to, and painted them with some duplicolor caliper and rotor paint. I used about 4 or 5 very light coats, sprayed about 10 minutes apart.
After I was done painting them I left them dry over night and they spent a few hours in the sun the next morning before I reinstalled them.
I took my wheels off last night and the wheels pulled all the paint off from where they were touching the rotors.

Is there something I can do get get the paint to stick to the rotor hats better, or should I just eat my loss and get them power coated? I am going to be using two different rims throughout the year, so I can't have the wheels pulling the paint off from both of their contact patches.
 
#13 ·
HHHMMM you could trick them.. maybe just put some wax on the paint to form a thin coat so the paint doesnt stick to the back of the wheel.. Not sure if that would work but it might because the paint is probably just a tad tacky still especially if you put thick coats on..
Let me know how it goes because I plan to this as well.. My black wheels are like yours.. You can see the hat and it looks nasty.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
bguild said:
HHHMMM you could trick them.. maybe just put some wax on the paint to form a thin coat so the paint doesnt stick to the back of the wheel.. Not sure if that would work but it might because the paint is probably just a tad tacky still especially if you put thick coats on..
Let me know how it goes because I plan to this as well.. My black wheels are like yours.. You can see the hat and it looks nasty.
Click to expand...
This sounds like it may work. It might be a while before I get around to repainting the rears, but I will make sure to post if it works or not.

Any other input from everyone else?
 
#15 ·
Not sure of any downsides to this but....

bake them in your oven for a while on a very low temp to cure the paint. Should help as well. Maybe hit it with some high performance enamel type paint if you can find some. Maybe hit it with clear coat as well.

Just some ideas. I'd personally try baking them first. Unless the heat is gonna damage the integrity of the rotor, but i doubt it since it heats up when you break anyways.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#17 ·
MoparSrt-4 said:
I am bringing this thread back to life because I am having some issues.

I painted my rear rotors this past weekend and the wheels pulled the paint right off of the rotor hat where the wheel contacts the rotor.

I took off the rear rotors, used a wire wheel on a drill and removed all the old paint to make sure that the paint would have a good surface to stick to, and painted them with some duplicolor caliper and rotor paint. I used about 4 or 5 very light coats, sprayed about 10 minutes apart.
After I was done painting them I left them dry over night and they spent a few hours in the sun the next morning before I reinstalled them.
I took my wheels off last night and the wheels pulled all the paint off from where they were touching the rotors.

Is there something I can do get get the paint to stick to the rotor hats better, or should I just eat my loss and get them power coated? I am going to be using two different rims throughout the year, so I can't have the wheels pulling the paint off from both of their contact patches.
Click to expand...
I'd repaint it again and remember to prep well with the cleaning and sanding. Let it dry overnight. Then put a light coat of anti-sieze compound to the rear flat contact areas of the rim. With this trick I haven't had problems with the paint sticking and lifting off. But in all reality, the prep is the most important part.
Also I use a hair dryer to help cure the paint.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#18 ·
You just aren't letting it dry long enough. I painted some valve covers a while back with high temp dupli-color paint and I could still scratch them with my fingernail after a couple days. If you actually read the directions on the can I think it says it takes 7 days to fully cure. After those valve covers sat around for a week the paint turned hard as a rock :)
 
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
About this Discussion
17 Replies
13 Participants
Last post:
kcarsey
Dodge Caliber Forums
posts
395K
members
70K
Since
2005
A forum community dedicated to Dodge Caliber owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about SRTs, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, engine swaps, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Caliber SRT-4 Discussion General Caliber Discussions Performance: Caliber SRT4 Specific Problems / Dealer Service New Member Introductions