Time for reading: 4 min.

Caliper Covers vs. Caliper Paint

If you’re disappointed by the appearance of your brake calipers, we’ll help you decide whether it’s more practical to paint them or dress them up with stylish caliper covers.
Caliper Covers vs. Caliper Paint
Porsche Performance Brake Kit

One consequence of the trend toward larger diameter wheels is that previously hidden mechanical components are now clearly visible. We are referring, of course, to your brake calipers. These dirty, dusty, and rusty parts used to function in obscurity, but with plus-size thin-spoke wheels, they're now on display for all to see.

If you happen to drive a late model performance car with a nice set of multi-piston Brembos, this is not an issue. Nor is it a concern if you have the coin for an upgrade to a performance brake kit. But what about when you've spent your whole pile of cash for just the right wheels and tires - what can you do to address this new problem?

Dupli-Color Caliper Paint
Dupli-Color Caliper Paint is available in your choice of aerosol (black shown at left), or brush-on as part of a Caliper Paint Kit (red shown at right).

You have two choices if your desire is to "pretty up" your ride's brake calipers, and those choices are to either paint them with a coating especially made for them, or cover them with caliper covers. Let's tackle the painting option first.

Brake Caliper Paint

Brake caliper paint has been around for a while and has proven to be popular for several reasons. In recent years, vehicle manufacturers have coated their calipers from the factory, which has drawn attention to them as a visible feature.

Pros & Cons

If you like the shape of your factory-installed brake calipers and don't want to change it, painting them is the way to go for that truly custom look. Besides, if you change your mind about the color, you can use a special cleaner and sandpaper to remove old paint off your calipers and go with another can to refinish them.

The cost of a spray can of paint is quite reasonable, although as we'll see in a few moments, there is significant labor. You will need to spend quite a long time, use a number of tools, and, surely, have some skills to get a professional result.

As these brake parts are located in a high contact area of a vehicle, one may reasonably wonder how long caliper paint lasts. The truth is that it is prone to peeling and chipping. However, that's not to say it won't hold for long. In most cases, it looks flawless from 3 to 4 years.

Top Brands

You cannot go with just any paint, apply it to your calipers, and call it a day. It should be specially formulated to withstand extreme heat and harsh weather conditions and last for years. Today, there are many companies that offer special-purpose paints in a spectrum of colors. Surely, it's always safer to opt for products from reputable brands with years of experience in the industry. Some of them are listed below.

VHT Aerosol Caliper Paint
VHT aerosol caliper paint is available in many of the "traditional" colors, as well as gloss clear (on the left) and gold (on the right).
  1. The Dupli-Color paint company has been in business since the 1930s, manufacturing all kinds of automotive coatings. Their Caliper Paint is a durable coating designed to resist chipping, road dirt, and harsh chemicals. We've got it in individual 12-oz aerosol cans in a choice of colors (matte black, red, yellow, silver, or blue).
    There's also a Caliper Kit which includes a special cleaner plus a can of paint in your choice of brush-on or aerosol form. Your preference, along with available colors, can be selected in Product Options drop-down boxes.
  2. VHT has been serving its customers for over a decade. It offers caliper paints that are heat-resistant to 900 degrees F (VHT, after all, stands for Very High Temperature). It's available in aerosol cans in 8 different colors plus gloss clear. The company also makes an aerosol caliper cleaner available separately (see choices in Product Options). Check it out in gold, a color not available from Dupli-Color.
  3. POR-15 first opened its doors in 1977. Since that time, the company has built a strong reputation for producing high-performance coatings that form an impenetrable barrier to water, corrosive contaminants, etc., therefore, protecting various surfaces from rust and corrosion.
    POR-15 Brake Caliper Paint is one example of its rust preventive coatings. You can go with a complete kit that includes cleaner, prep, and paint which is available in black, gloss gray, blue, red, and yellow colors and can also be purchased individually. In case you want to spray POR-15 with a gun rather than brush it on, you should thin it with the brand's solvent and don't forget to use an organic vapor particulate respirator.

How to Paint Brake Calipers?

If you're planning to paint your calipers, be prepared to put some effort into it to achieve a quality job. As mentioned previously, the cost of the material is very attractive, but now it's decision time. Keep in mind that it is impossible to paint calipers without removing wheels. So be prepared to use a jack to get your car off the ground and a lug wrench to loosen the nuts on its wheels.

The first and probably biggest decision is whether to remove the calipers from the car or not. If you are replacing these units as part of a brake job, this is a good time to paint them, while they're off the car. Unbolting them gives you the following advantages:

  • a more thorough cleaning;
  • spraying without risk of overspray;
  • thoroughly painting all 4 sides.

The biggest downside is the time and effort to disconnect, reconnect, and bleed the hydraulic connections.

Caliper Cover Painting Process
Caliper painting done in the CARiD workshop. We opted for brush-on paint, and removed the brackets to allow for a more thorough cleaning and painting job.
Caliper Brush Painting
More brush painting done here at CARiD. We opted to keep the caliper connected to its hose, and used plenty of masking tape (but still got some paint on the hub nut, where the wheel hides it).

Don't want to mess with brake fluid? You can certainly paint calipers without disconnecting them entirely; BUT you will do some significant masking of the pads, rotors, inner fenders, etc. to avoid overspray. Brushing on the paint can help avoid that, but there's a risk of leaving brush marks. Besides, you probably won't be able to reach every nook and cranny.

Whether you paint the calipers on or off the car, you MUST clean them as completely as possible, or the paint just won't stick. We've done it both ways, and while it's more work, spray painting them off the car will yield the more professional results.

Note: Whatever you do, do NOT disassemble, or "split" the calipers! There's no need for it, and you may never get them back together again. We've read forum entries about some poor souls who did this and ended up needing to buy new units.

Caliper Covers

Don't want to paint? (Maybe your calipers aren't that good-looking to begin with, no matter what color they could be.) Let's take a look at caliper covers. They are built to withstand harsh conditions and available in a spectrum of colors to choose from.

Pros & Cons

First off, you can always count on these accessories to look great, regardless of the caliper they're attached to. They can change not only the color but also the shape of your calipers making them look more eye-catching.

Besides, they are very easy to install (we'll discuss this in greater detail below) and not prone to discoloration or rust, meaning a long-lasting lifespan. To be exact, they can last up to 10 years.

Caliper covers also have additional benefits beyond those mentioned above: They reduce the amount of brake dust that gets on your wheels, so your car will stay looking cleaner between washings. On the downside, they cost more than a can or two of paint.

Top Brands

Going with a reputable brand means that you're guaranteed to get quality products that will last for many years. In our store, we offer you products from leading manufacturers that have been in the industry for a long time and earned car enthusiasts' trust.

The MGP brand of caliper covers offers a tremendous choice of colors and options, whether you drive a ‘60s muscle car, or the newest late-model high-performance machine. If you've got small calipers, cover pieces will overlap them and create a larger overall appearance.

MGP Caliper Covers

There is MGP's basic offering: for just about any year, make & model vehicle, you can buy a set of caliper covers in your choice of gloss red, gloss black, or matte black, engraved with the MGP logo. The color is actually powder-coated onto the aluminum cover, a long-lasting and durable combination. They're guaranteed to fit (provided you are installing them on OEM brakes) with proper clearance on OEM wheels which meet the indicated "minimum wheel size".

MGP Caliper Covers In Custom Colors

Want more? Easy: custom colors are available to match your ride's paint, or match any color of your choosing. You can choose engraved "bolts", or engraved make/model names, symbols, images, etc. You then also get to pick the color of the engraving, making for a nice contrast. (Please see the website for options for your specific car or truck; choices may be restricted by licensing agreements.) There’s even simulated carbon fiber! With MGP, it's almost not an exaggeration to say "the sky's the limit".

Jeep Grand Cherokee With MGP Caliper Covers
Yes, it's dirty, and that's the point. These MGP caliper covers have been on this Jeep Grand Cherokee for 4 years, driven in all kinds of Northeast weather. They clean up nicely, and still look great.

We have installed MGP caliper covers on several vehicles at the CARiD office, and were pleased with the ease of installation, as well as the almost-instantaneous improvement in appearance. (More than one stranger has stopped an employee with these covers to inquire about them.) We also have first-hand experience with how they help keep brake dust from collecting on the wheels!

ACC Stainless Steel Calipers With Viper Logo
Polished stainless steel caliper covers from ACC with Dodge Viper logo.

ACC (American Car Craft) also has a selection of caliper covers, for a limited number of late-model high performance vehicles like the Chevy Camaro & Corvette, and Dodge Viper. ACC's covers serve more as a caliper "highlight", to provide a bright stainless-steel accent for your ride. Check them out if subtle but noticeable brightwork is more to your taste.

Are Caliper Covers Easy to Install?

Installation of caliper covers is rather simple: all necessary hardware is included, and once you have the vehicle raised and the wheels off, you only need simple hand tools. They are attached with clips, and no vehicle modifications are needed. (Again, we must stress that these covers are designed to work with factory-installed brakes and wheels. They may be able to be installed with aftermarket components, but please give us a call first to discuss particulars.)

MGP Caliper Cover Installation

To conclude, the choice (as always) is yours. Here, the "painting" option can be the better selection if you're performing major brake work anyway, or if you like the way the factory calipers look, or if the pride that comes with a DIY solution is important to you. On the other hand, caliper covers carry a higher initial outlay, with the benefits of easier and quicker installation, the ability to hide an unsightly mechanical device, and plenty of options for a true customized look. Be very honest with yourself, and you'll know which path is right for you.

Caliper Covers Main Gallery Variety

FAQ

How Many Cans of Paint Do I Need for Calipers?

It depends on the manufacturer and how many layers of paint you want to put on your calipers. The coverage amount is typically listed on the label of a can. In most cases, 2 cans of paint are more than enough to cover all four brake calipers, even if you own a large vehicle or performance car with bigger brakes.

How Long Does It Take to Paint Calipers?

Budget at least one hour per wheel for the cleaning, masking and painting, and that's if you leave them bolted in place. Removing them could double that time. Like any job: take your time, put in the effort, and try to do your best. When it's done, you can proudly look back at your beautifully colored calipers and congratulate yourself on a job well-done.

How Long Does It Take for Caliper Paint to Fully Dry?

It depends on the manufacturer. You can find the relevant information on the label of a can or in the instructions included in the kit. In most cases, caliper paint takes between two and four hours to touch dry. However, keep in mind that it doesn't mean you can put wheels back on the car and hit the road. It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours before you do that. This is when you can be sure that caliper paint is fully dry and can withstand extreme temperatures generated during braking.

Does Brake Caliper Paint Need Primer?

Most paints are self-leveling, meaning they will settle into the crevices creating a smooth surface, and don't actually require an undercoat if the calipers are properly cleaned. However, priming can make your paint job look even nicer and last longer. If you decide to do it, keep in mind that you should use only the product formulated to withstand high temperatures such as Flameproof Aerosol High Temperature Primer from VHT.

In case you use a primer that cannot withstand high temperatures, it will chip and peel affecting the look of the top coat. To stay on the safe side, some manufacturers don't recommend using any primer before applying their paint on the calipers as they cannot be sure that it is really heat resistant.

Do Caliper Covers Cause Overheating?

No, they don't. Contrary to some opinions, the increased surface area they add near the brakes actually serves to reduce overall temperatures. For instance, MGP ran tests with an infrared thermometer gun and found that their aluminum covers acted as a heat sink, drawing heat out of the brakes and reducing caliper temperatures by 30° to 50°F.

Are Brake Caliper Covers Universal Fit?

Yes and no, it depends on the manufacturer. However, it is safer to go with vehicle-specific units. This is because they are designed around the dimensions and clearances of your vehicle's stock calipers, related brake hardware, and wheels. If you upgrade your car with custom rims, make sure that there is enough clearance between the inner face of the wheel and the caliper (not less than 1/8 inches) to fit a cover.

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