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draper
15-09-06, 10:04 AM
whats the best way to clean brake calipers ?? can they be bead/shot blasted then painted ??
craig green
15-09-06, 10:54 AM
Shot blasting is way too harsh.
You could do it to the cast parts but the sliders & piston bores would be ruined. Its hard to mask those bits off so I would say no, dont.

Brake cleaner will get the worst off ready for painting which is a better finish for cleaning off the dust anyway.

I think the sliders can be unbolted from the carriers but you still dont wanna blast the pistons etc.

Maybe look in yellow pages for someone that can vapour blast or steam clean?
craig green
15-09-06, 10:55 AM
btw I had good results painting up some manky Vectra V6 calipers the other day with a wire brush & aforementioned brake cleaner.

Now painted silver & looking mint.
Matt2107
15-09-06, 11:01 AM
I agree with Craig. Brake cleaner, wire brush and some elbow greese.
My calipers are silver and I think its a massive improvement... although I cheated and brought new calipers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/matts019.jpg

the only pic I've got... you can just about see them.
draper
15-09-06, 11:11 AM
where did you get new 1s from and how much matt ??
craig green
15-09-06, 11:15 AM
LMF do good prices on new GM brake kits. V6s are ?200.

I had new 256s back in 200 from VPSC. Cant be many calipers about with 30k on them.
Matt2107
15-09-06, 11:26 AM
It was when my little brother used to work in a Motorist Centre so he got some hefty discount, cant remember where they were from but they are recon units so are basically new. Think I paid around ?40ish.

Having known what I do now I would have gone for ATE's lol
dave_rand
15-09-06, 04:16 PM
most motor factors will sell them they arnt as much as u wud think
bump
15-09-06, 04:47 PM
Cillit Bang them
R1CH
15-09-06, 05:14 PM
I had mine sand blasted, i stripped the pistons / seals / sliders off them first tho. Cam up like new, didn't damage to bores either.
Stuck some new seals in & gave them a lick of paint, jobs a good-un !!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/ricmetcalf/DSC00421-1.jpg

Rich
draper
15-09-06, 05:16 PM
Cillit Bang them

MY NAMES BARRY SCOTT, YOUVE HEARD OF THE PENNY TEST, WELL HERE THE BRAKE CALIPER TEST

BANG

AND THE DIRT IS GONE