DSMtuned
February 26th, 2009, 08:11 PM
I just thought I would write up a quick review on the Dupli-color caliper paint.
The paint comes in a little can and takes about 5 coats to get good coverage. As with any paint, 90% of the work is prep work. I used a wire brush on a drill to get all the crud off. Then the caliper cleaner in excess. This little project took me forever, mostly because I had to wait for days that were 60+ degrees for the paint application.
I would say that I am more particular than your average user and probably spent more time prepping than most people. I was therefore very surprised when a light bump of a tool chipped the not yet cured paint while I was putting on new pads. The ceramic paint apparently cures after it gets hot.
After again waiting for warm weather to repair the chips, I was finally finished. I was amazed at how nicely the paint turned out.
Here's where it gets good. Today I went out to bed in my new RS-4 pads and freshly turned rotors. Well needless to say, this process gets things HOT. Apparently too hot for the 500* Dupli-color paint! After a few 60-10mph stops, there was some smoke. I figured, ah probably just some pad material- normal for the bedding process. I finished up bedding, cooled the brakes and headed home.
When I got home I was amazed to see that the front calipers had areas where the paint nearly turned to carbon. Other areas are very darkened. After the 8+ hours I spent on this process, I was very disappointed.
So the verdict... I think this paint is awesome, but probably best applied after you have already bedded your pads and rotors. At this point in my racing career, I probably won't get the brakes as hot as I did when bedding, so I think for most people the paint would work out well. The rear calipers look great still, so I'll update this thread in a year or so for long term durability.
-Craig
The paint comes in a little can and takes about 5 coats to get good coverage. As with any paint, 90% of the work is prep work. I used a wire brush on a drill to get all the crud off. Then the caliper cleaner in excess. This little project took me forever, mostly because I had to wait for days that were 60+ degrees for the paint application.
I would say that I am more particular than your average user and probably spent more time prepping than most people. I was therefore very surprised when a light bump of a tool chipped the not yet cured paint while I was putting on new pads. The ceramic paint apparently cures after it gets hot.
After again waiting for warm weather to repair the chips, I was finally finished. I was amazed at how nicely the paint turned out.
Here's where it gets good. Today I went out to bed in my new RS-4 pads and freshly turned rotors. Well needless to say, this process gets things HOT. Apparently too hot for the 500* Dupli-color paint! After a few 60-10mph stops, there was some smoke. I figured, ah probably just some pad material- normal for the bedding process. I finished up bedding, cooled the brakes and headed home.
When I got home I was amazed to see that the front calipers had areas where the paint nearly turned to carbon. Other areas are very darkened. After the 8+ hours I spent on this process, I was very disappointed.
So the verdict... I think this paint is awesome, but probably best applied after you have already bedded your pads and rotors. At this point in my racing career, I probably won't get the brakes as hot as I did when bedding, so I think for most people the paint would work out well. The rear calipers look great still, so I'll update this thread in a year or so for long term durability.
-Craig