Brake Caliper Painting - How Much Does It Cost?
Brake caliper painting has gained popularity as a practical way to enhance a car’s appearance and protect essential components from wear and rust. This service allows car owners to customise the colour of their brake calipers, adding a unique touch to their vehicle while ensuring lasting durability. But how much does it really cost to get your brake calipers painted professionally?
In this post, we'll break down the costs, benefits, and options involved in brake caliper painting, so you can decide if it's the right investment for your vehicle.
Why Paint Your Brake Calipers?
Protection Against Rust and Corrosion
Brake calipers are constantly exposed to harsh conditions, including high temperatures, road debris, and moisture, all of which can lead to rust and corrosion. Painting calipers with a high-temperature, specialised paint provides a protective layer, keeping your brakes in better condition for longer.
A Customised, Sporty Look
In addition to protection, painting your brake calipers enhances the car’s aesthetic appeal. This service is popular with owners of luxury and sports cars who want their vehicle to stand out with a clean, polished, and unique look. Some providers even offer custom colour mixing, so the options are endless.
How Much Does Brake Caliper Painting Cost?
The cost of brake caliper painting can vary depending on several factors, including the service provider, the type of paint, and additional options like decals.
Basic Cost: Caliper painting from us starts at £250 for all 4 calipers. This is wet sprayed rather than hand painted, for the best finish, with colour and lacquer.
Additional Costs: If you want custom decals applied to the calipers, there may be a small additional charge. Typically £25.
Most vehicles require an overnight stay, for full curing the paint. Prices may also differ based on the colour you choose and the paint quality, so it's wise to discuss options and ask for a quote.
Alpine A110S after receiving brake caliper painting. The colour was custom-made for this car (Sunflower Yellow) to match the bodywork.
What to Expect in a Brake Caliper Painting Service
The Process of Caliper Painting
Brake caliper painting isn’t just a quick spray job; it involves thorough preparation and attention to detail. Here’s what you can typically expect in the process:
Cleaning and Preparation: The wheels are removed, and the calipers are sanded down to remove any rust, bringing them to bare metal and cleaned thoroughly to ensure a great base for the paint. The calipers receive several primer coats for maximum durability.
Masking and Painting: To prevent overspray, the car is masked in a protective sheeting,, and several coats of high-temperature, durable paint are applied. This process results in a smooth, OEM-style finish. Lacquer is applied for the ultimate finish.
Optional Decals: Custom decals can be added or replaced during the painting process for an additional fee. If decals are included, these are lacquered over for the best result.
This service can sometimes be done in a single day, but usually the vehicle needs to stay overnight, to allow the paint to cure fully, particularly for more complex jobs.
Once completed, the sheeting is removed, the wheels are refitted and torqued to manufacturer specifications.
Benefits of Professional Brake Caliper Painting
Long-lasting Finish: Specialised high-temperature paint resists wear, fading, and damage from road debris.
Personalised Style: Customise your car with unique colours or finishes for a sporty, luxurious look.
Increased Value: A well-maintained, customised look can add to the car’s resale value.
Enhanced Durability: A quality paint job helps prevent rust and extends the lifespan of the calipers.
FAQs About Brake Caliper Painting
How much does brake caliper painting cost?
Prices may vary depending on where you go, but we charge from £250 for a set of 4 brake calipers painted in any colour of your choosing (literally, any colour).
The process takes a full day to complete and we do not rush the process, working to the best standards possible.
Can I get my brake calipers painted on the same day?
Some providers offer a same-day turnaround, but we typically require up to two days. This is to allow the paint to fully cure and dry to give you the best result possible.
Is brake caliper painting worth it?
Yes! Brake Caliper Painting is an excellent, cost effective way to completely change the look of your car.
How are brake calipers painted?
The calipers are cleaned and sanded to bare metal before painting. The car is masked to avoid overspray, the calipers then have primer applied and receive multiple layers of high-temperature paint for a durable, smooth finish. High temperature lacquer is then used for the best results.
Can I keep my current decals on my brake calipers?
If your calipers have decals, they are replaced as part of the refurbishment process.
My calipers have been painted before - But the result was not great - Can you do them again?
Yes we absolutely can and, unfortunately we have had to undo poor previous paint jobs from other establishments in the past on occasion. There is sometimes a small upcharge in cost, because to remove poorly applied paint from previous resprays may take us more time.
We can give you an exact quote with inspection, but typically it’s no more than £25-50 extra.
