How To Paint Brake Calipers

Freshly painted calipers transform the look of your car and protect the metal from corrosion, grime and heat. With the BCS Brake Caliper Painting Kit, you can choose a durable, OEM-style gloss finish and match popular colours used by performance manufacturers.

Whether you’re learning how to paint brake calipers at home or prefer a professional result in a workshop, our system works for brush-on or spray-on application. You’ll find everything you need in the kit, plus a clear guide on how to paint car brake calipers safely and correctly.

• “Wear gloves when handling liquids; may irritate skin. Eye protection recommended.”
• “If ingested or on eye contact, seek immediate medical assistance; flush eyes with cold clean water.”
• “When spraying (professionals only): use air-fed respirator.”
• “When hand painting: use in a well-ventilated area (garage door open or apply outside).”
• “If spraying on the car: bag the entire vehicle and mask the whole wheel arch, disc and pads.”

Follow this process to achieve a clean, long-lasting finish using the BCS kit. It covers how to paint your brake calipers with a brush (DIY) and key notes for professional spray application.

Before you start

• Test colour on a small, inconspicuous area first.

• Work on a clean, stable surface with good ventilation.

• See Important Safety Information for PPE guidance.

1) Prepare the vehicle

1. Safely raise the car on suitable axle stands on a flat, sturdy base and remove the wheels.

2. Mask surrounding areas if calipers remain on the car (wheel arch, disc, pads).

2) Clean & degrease

1. Use the supplied sanding disc to key the caliper surface and remove loose rust.

2. Wipe thoroughly with the supplied degreaser and allow to dry fully.

3) Mix the paint

1. Pour 100 ml paint into the mixing cup.

2. Add 50 ml hardener (2:1 ratio).

3. Cap bottles, mix thoroughly, leave 2 minutes, then mix again.

4) Apply the first coat (thin)

• Brush: Lay a light, even coat to create a flat base that traps any remaining dust/rust.

• Spray (professionals only, ≥ 1.2 mm fluid tip): Apply light, overlapping passes.

5) Flash-off / re-coat

• Wait ~45 minutes before the second coat to avoid brush marks and ensure even gloss.

6) Apply the second coat

• Aim for uniform coverage and gloss. More than two coats is not recommended.

7) Dry & cure

• Minimum 2 hours before refitting wheels.

• Minimum 6 hours before driving.

• If calipers were removed, wait 8+ hours before handling.

• Heat lamps may be used to accelerate curing.

Brush-On Method (DIY)

• Use smooth, confident strokes; don’t overload the brush.

• Tip off lightly to remove any visible marks.

• Maintain a clean edge around bleed screws and logos.

Spray-On Method (Professionals Only)

• Use a ≥ 1.2 mm setup; 2–3 light passes are better than one heavy pass.

• Keep gun distance and angle consistent; aim for even film build and gloss.

Final checks

• Remove masking carefully.

• Inspect for missed edges or dust before refitting wheels.

• Dispose of consumables responsibly.

Note: Colour perception can vary by lighting and substrate. Always test first; BCS cannot accept responsibility for incorrect colour application.