High temperature paint / caliper paint => any recommendations?
 

G'day Folks,

I'm looking for recommendations for high temperature paint / caliper paint.

Caliper question:-

I've recently repainted two sets of calipers in high temperature paint - I even baked the buggers to harden it - but after 6 months on the car they are well and truly rusty again (and the car hasn't moved).

So I can safely conclude that high temperature paint isn't good for calipers.

I've now got some Eastwood black caliper paint. Will this be better? Or should I look into getting something else?

Manifold question:-

I've also repainted my exhaust manifold in high temperature paint - when I start using the car as a car, rather than a bit of jewelry on my drive, am I likely to see rust forming quite quickly here too? If so what would you all recommend as a manifold paint?

I don't know if you'll ever get the calipers to not show some surface rust in your climate. Especially without driving the car. When you are using the brakes you are shedding heat through the calipers and rotors. This helps to remove moisture from the porous castings. Conversely when the caliper cools it attracts moisture. You would have to powder coat the calipers and even then I don't think you could seal them. Since the car is just sitting while you are doing the restoration, try wiping a light coat of petroleum jelly on the calipers' surface. It will clean off easily with alcohol when you are ready to paint them for the final finish.

Thanks Mike - it looks like I'm learning the hard way... when it is all done I'll know when to do a job and when not to - just in time for the next project!

When using "high heat" paints on bare metal surfaces (Valve covers,manifolds, calipers), should one also use some sort of "high heat " primer? Is there such a thing? Also, should Aluminum and cast iron have different primers? Thanks...........

All of the stuff that I have seen over here says not to use a primer. I guess if the primer isn't heat resistant then it will crack taking the top coat with it.

I asked google for "high temperature primer" and got several hits though. The most interesting from my European perspective is this:-

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=381

If I can get hold of some I'm gonna give it a go.

http://www.dampney.com/Products/Products.asp?ProductID=42

Another one that looks good

Picture of the caliper
 

Here's a picture of what you can expect after about half a year in a moist climate

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1302283988