A8 Parts Forum - Painting Calipers

After few years of hesitation I have finally decided to repaint all calipers.
They were driving me mad for all this time and last weekend I finally did it.

2x tins of Hammerite Smooth £17 (£8.50 each) 1x Silver & 1x Black
Black http://www.diy.com/departments/hamme.../127904_BQ.prd
Silver http://www.diy.com/departments/hamme.../243241_BQ.prd
1x can of brake cleaner £5
2x sets of wire brushes £12, set of heavy duty ones and set of fine brushes
Heavy duty £4.00 http://www.screwfix.com/p/wire-brush...ack-of-2/15696
Fine wire £8.00 http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-stee...ack-of-3/40858
Job is way much easier if you have both sets, honestly.
1x 12mm soft tip paint brush £3
http://www.diy.com/departments/diall.../174712_BQ.prd

Optional for anyone who hasn't got it, a pair of axle stands, Halfords £20 - £25
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/gar...ne-axle-stands
http://www.c1.halfords.com/motoring/...ne-axle-stands

And some steel wire
http://www.diy.com/departments/gardm.../312868_BQ.prd

...and if you are paranoid like me, lots of timber, 100x100mm post and few 2by4's :ROFL:

So, after testing some different finishes with black silver and gold colours I have decided to go for dark silver mix, can of black and approx 3/4 of silver
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596
You will need two mixing pots, one for your paint and one for your tea as you will need plenty :D
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

Day 1 (Sunday)
DO NOT FORGET to switch ON JACKING MODE
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

Place the stands under the sub frame
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

I have purchased a brake caliper tool set before doing this job, but I just couldn't be bother with it so I used a flat head screwdriver to push the pistons in while caliper was still mounted onto the carrier
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

At the back of the caliper there are 2 plastic caps. Brake pad sensor wire actually is clipped to the top one as per picture below, and the 2nd one is just a blank cap at the very bottom.
After removing them you will find an allen key bolts which you will have to unscrew in order to remove the caliper
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

Then use the steel wire to hang the caliper on one of the suspension arms
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

Now you can crack on with cleaning the carrier plate and caliper with wire brushes.

Day 2 (Monday)
Same principle, jack the car and DO NOT FORGET to set suspension in JACKING MODE
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

On the rear there is nothing really to hang the caliper on, so I used one of the brushes to support it.
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414797008

Then today (Friday), these arrived. Yes yes red will draw attention too much, but after a long chat with Scott during the whole project, it was worth trying.
I did ordered a set of black ones as well, but at the minute I will stick with red ones.
They don't scream so much: ''Look I am quattro'' ;)
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

So, now some before and after photos. Tomorrow after a wash I will take few shots with wheels on.

BEFORE
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

...aaaand AFTER
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1414795596

Many many thanks to Scott for all the support and advice throughout the project :cheers: