How To Powdercoat Brake Calipers - Full Teardown and Rebuild. Powder 101 - Learn to Powdercoat

[@Turbo_Rogga]

finally somebody teaches the right stuff from the beginning // Roger , sweden.

[@tinygaragefab]

Thank you!

[@JoshTolbertUrbana]

I have a bunch of 1/4" plywood pieces I'll stuff into a caliper when blowing dual-piston caliper pistons out...Let them hit, slide a 1/4" piece out, blast them again, rinse and repeat...So both come out in a pretty controlled fashion, and you don't have much left to pull on the one that stays behind. I do it this way cause I always had trouble getting things to work right when trying to get a piston to go back into a bore and seal to get the other one out. That blue is stellar.

[@mitsubishikid1187]

I recognize these calipers they work real nice on 3g csms.

[@tinygaragefab]

They were from my '93 TSi.

[@55chevyman4u2nv]

I had a hard time putting the pistons back in after I was done my pistons leaked not happy

[@j.t.srygley3003]

This content is great, could you please do a video on your oven set up?

[@tinygaragefab]

I LOVE how the color turned out on these calipers! Powders take on such different looks when different topcoats are applied.

[@demetriusking183]

Hey sir I have a question. Why is it important that you remove the bleeder screw before you you put them in the oven?

[@5.0_meatballmarinara]

Hey bud I know this video is older but question is a 6 piston the same ? They’re Brembo does it matter? Just wondering if I should attempt this on my own

[@tinygaragefab]

They are similar. I have another video that's even older where I do a set of 4 piston Jaguar calipers. The hard part is getting the pistons out because you need to have them all still "in" but pushed out enough that they can be removed. As soon as any single piston comes out and loses the seal, there is no way to build pressure to remove the other pistons. I think you'll be successful if you try. Might get frustrating, but you got this!

[@aikidokamks]

Could a high temp vinyl decal be applied before the clear coat?

[@tinygaragefab]

Yes. I have applied even basic vinyl under powder, and it worked. I do recommend something high quality, like Oracal vinyl. Some powders even let you cure at a slightly lower temp, but longer cure time. That can help make it work also.

[@robertgregory1191]

Awesome love the way it looks

[@Cubrooski]

Wow that turned out awesome! I love that color. I'm gonna do that for my truck except in a dark red. Do you use a low psi when blow powder out of the cups and the threaded areas?

[@tinygaragefab]

My blow gun is at full psi (125) but has a really good trigger and I can control it well to blow it out pretty softly.

[@Cubrooski]

Sorry for the late response. Thank you for your response and letting me know. Will give this a try hopefully after Christmas. A powder coating gun is on my wish list.

[@zaheersarwar7815]

What colour is that you have sprayed? Looks awesome 👌

[@martyray518]

Great vid . Just what I wanted to learn .

[@tinygaragefab]

Awesome! I'm glad I could help.

[@trumanhw]

Future request: Please show the portion of sandblasting ... it's satisfying to watch. Thanks

[@tinygaragefab]

I think I can do that. It's hard to accurately film though because of dust and lighting issues. 😔

[@tommybones13]

Nice job! Just curious, what psi do you run on your blow gun when you are cleaning holes? Did you wipe clean the surface where slides hold in place or coat? Thanks!

[@tinygaragefab]

I run my blow gun at full pressure (~90psi) but it is easy to regulate with the trigger. The slider area is also coated, because the stainless clips just snap in place over the coating.

[@jackie87430]

i have a very small sandblaster, a very small oven, very small car, and new calipers. I am going to finally try doing this myself thanks to your awesome video! Thanks for taking the time to show us beginners how to properly do this!! Would you say that a clear coat is required? Or only for your special base colour?

[@tinygaragefab]

If the calipers are brand new, then just clean them really good with brake cleaner, don't even bother with blasting. But if they are painted or rusty, then blast them. Clear was mandatory for the "illusion" powder that I used here. Most powders do not require it, but it can add an extra level of gloss (or satin/matte) if that's the look you want. Have fun with it. You'll do great!

[@pablosbuickgarage]

Those look great!! I do have a question. I want to Powdercoat my calipers high gloss black. Then I want to put a sticker on it, then Powdercoat it clear. My question is I want the clear coat to be high gloss is it just a matter of buying a high gloss clear? I m asking because you put clear on it and it wasn’t super shiny more like a matte. I know video doesn’t do justice lol

[@tinygaragefab]

I used a matte clear because thats the look I wanted. For your calipers, use a gloss clear. Good luck, I bet it's gonna be awesome!

[@HEHE-dx9og]

Can not find a video on the 2020 f150 rear calipers with elec brake rebuild. Are these hard to do???

[@tinygaragefab]

I've never done them or even seen them in person, so I don't really know. Probably not to much different one you get them apart...

[@jonh2408]

Hi would all calipers have 2 seals in the piston chamber? My 2014 grand cherokee only seems to have 1

[@tinygaragefab]

Only one actual seal, which is the square-cut one inside the bore. The second is the dust cap which attaches to the outer ring of the piston.

[@jonh2408]

@@tinygaragefab what's the little metal ring you pull off the outer edge?

[@tinygaragefab]

That is the retaining ring for the dust seal. Because it expands like an accordion, it needs to be retained by something. It's usually a ring like that. Some caliper dust seals press in like an oil seal, but I don't see that too often.

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

Does the cost to powdercoat calipers include disassembly / reassembly of the caliper ? Provided I supplied the seal(s)...

[@tinygaragefab]

That's something you'd have to discuss with your powdercoat guy. A lot of people aren't mechanics, and wouldn't be able to do it, even though it isn't very difficult. But I'd like to think that a shop that focuses on automotive powdercoating over industrial should have at least one dude there that could do it.

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

@@tinygaragefab Well it takes 5 minutes to tape off a caliper and if you are a powder coater, then it takes 5 minutes to apply the powder then 20 min in the oven. it's about 10 minutes of his time to powdercoat a set of already disassembled calipers. $100 per caliper seems a bit steep for 10 minutes of labor. I spend about 30 minutes to do peoples brake pads for $70. .... you see what I'm saying ? How much does a used oven and a powder gun cost $1000 ? I have $70,000 into tools to service cars. I'm going with a rattle can or spending $170 on a gun and $40 on a toaster oven and becoming my own powdercoater. I figured you were a powder coat guy who'd know. But you act online you're allergic to money and this is your third time powder coating for only your own small projects and have no idea. But somehow competent to put together a tutorial. Still wet behind the ears... ... but not really. .... play dumb

[@tinygaragefab]

@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7 wow. That's some serious projection. Just because I only have a few powdercoat videos doesn't mean I've only done a few items. I don't record 100% of my life like some influencer vlogger. Anyway...I'm not a powdercoating business and I never will be, so I simply don't know what someone else will charge or what their competence level is. Now, IF I had customers, then the breakdown and rebuild would be included in my cost, because I know the job would have to be done right and I really only trust myself. All that said, and regardless what you think of me (I'd out-wrench you any day of the week, BTW) I highly support your plan to get a powdercoat gun and toaster oven and try it yourself. That's how I started. Good luck out there, and try to be a little more honest about your own skill set. $70k in tools means jack in the grand scheme of things.

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

@@tinygaragefab $70,000 in tools means I earned enough money turning those wrenches to buy those tools better 1997 and 2005 when tools were half of what they cost today. I bought those tools at $13 to $18 per hour. Not $23 to $28 an hour like todays techs start at.

[@sphillyfanatic7451]

Damn I wish you could disassemble and reassemble my calipers

[@EdwardM104]

Looks great, but you should use brake assembly fluid instead of brake fluid in the bores. Brake fluid absorbs moisture and can cause the pistons to stick, assembly fluid doesn't. It's harder to find these days but I was able to get it ordered from O'Reilly's when no one else wanted to ship it.

[@tinygaragefab]

Um...brake fluid is what fills the bores and actuates the pistons, so why contaminate the fluid with anything else? It's already so susceptible to water absorption I'd rather not use anything other than the end-use fluid in assembly. I'll look into the grease, but will probably never use it.

[@macieksiemczyk1096]

@@tinygaragefabI was just reading bmw instructions as I’m thinking about overhauling my calipers and they also indicate use of some special paste instead of brake fluid, which is what I have done in the past.

[@robbieharris9339]

Do you have a flat rate for calipers and such.. I know running the oven can't be cheap PLUS you time and powder ?

[@tinygaragefab]

I only do my own parts, so I don't have a rate. I used to do customer work, mostly sport bike wheels, but I quit doing that a few years ago. But if I quoted this job for parts and labor, it would be about$250-300

[@mattmartin598]

How much would you charge for this process I'm curious?

[@justenbertrand]

You the man thanks buddy

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@alphaandomegabracelets2673]

Great job sir

[@tinygaragefab]

Thank you! I love a fresh caliper.

[@darianburgess1175]

What about the sand blasting inside where the piston goes??

[@tinygaragefab]

I don't sandblast in the piston bore. I usually just sandblast the outside of the caliper body. If I need to blast close to the bore, I'll either stuff a rag, some foil, or mask the bore.

[@kristianirvine4192]

Great video

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks!

[@jennifertaber9827]

which sandblastedia did you use?? what media would I use on aluminium calipers? thanks!

[@tinygaragefab]

I use crushed glass. I but it at harbor freight. Sometimes I'll mix in some of the stuff you can get at Tractor Supply just to give more 'cut.' I may be switching to aluminum oxide though, because I want to start getting into ceramic coating and aluminum oxide must be used for Cerakote.

[@jennifertaber9827]

@@tinygaragefab that's what I used, crushed glass. Im using prismatic powders by cerakote.

[@gregcochennet385]

Looks great I will look into getting mine done. It would be better having someone do it professionally than buying all the equipment and doing it myself

[@tinygaragefab]

For sure. If it's just a part or two here and there, it's pretty much not worth buying all the equipment. It snowballs, and before you know it, a $100 powder gun becomes $2500 in equipment.

[@texasrox2010]

I like it. 👍

[@tinygaragefab]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@aarongoodnow2417]

Just a few steps I believe your missing. Like pre bake part for outgasses not get brake fluid on finish after done Also need to know that wiping a part with microfiber after blasting leaves behind small hairs that you can burn off with torch... but they do look good for sure.

[@tinygaragefab]

I do outgas some things. Calipers, I hardly ever do. I've done enough that its not really a necessary step. Aluminum parts that had contact with oils get outgased 100% of the time. Brake fluid getting on them is inevitable. Brake fluid is the clear version of anti-sieze. If you know, you know. And I keep a propane torch at the ready next to the booth to burn the microfiber hairs off, as well as occasionally add a little preheat to inside corners of tricky parts that would normally deflect powder from hysteresis.

[@acbent11]

Looks great! I'd love to have a powder coating gun and oven.

[@tinygaragefab]

It was a fairly large investment, but as much stuff as I build, it has already saved me thousands of dollars!

[@acbent11]

@@tinygaragefab I was actually looking at some cheap setups today after posting. I have a large compressor, paint booth and few HVLP guns and such. I usually paint my calipers and rotor hats with either epoxy or ceramic paint. Always dabbled with the idea of powder coating. It should be longer lasting and more durable than any paint product. I figure for the few items that I'd do, a cheaper set might be ok. Thanks!

[@JC-io8pv]

You only preheated once ?

[@tinygaragefab]

I never preheated. I baked them to offgas and burn off any oil, but then let them cool before spraying powder. I never spray powder on a hot part. That is called "hot flocking" and is not recommended at all.

[@earlcousins6635]

What make blast cabinet do you have? Thanks.

[@tinygaragefab]

I have a Skat Blast cabinet from TP Tools.

[@earlcousins6635]

@@tinygaragefab Thanks much. Good luck.

[@tutuwananish8428]

And what compressor do you have ? Merci ✌

[@sphillyfanatic7451]

Where are you located?

[@tinygaragefab]

I'm in Virginia, but I do not do 'customer' work. I simply don't have time for my own projects, which leaves absolutely no time to do things for anyone else. I would like to be able to take on jobs eventually, but for now I just can't. There should be no shortage of powder coating shops darn near anywhere, all of which should have experience tearing down and rebuilding calipers after coating.

[@TheMrFlyBoy18]

Or you can also tape those areas with painting tape or tapes that are made for this purpose. Anyway great stuff man!

[@tinygaragefab]

I do have a lot of the high-temp silicone tape in my arsenal, but sometimes it really is easier to wipe it with a finger or blow it with the air gun. Some jobs absolutely require taping though, and I use it when I have to.

[@MasenKoster]

Where’s the Datsun build at let’s see the vids again.

[@tinygaragefab]

I will have new Datsun content coming in November, and will continue with videos until it is finished.