The OFFICIAL B6 S4 Brake Caliper Painting Post.

[Rainman00]

First of all I just want to say that several of you may not like the way I painted my calipers, and might choose to go with the more expensive system (FoliaTec), but the system I used has permanent, proven results.

For starters make sure you have the following supplies:

-Can of Black/Red/Blue HIGH HEAT Engine Spray Paint that can stand 1200 degrees of heat.
-Can of Clear Coat HIGH HEAT Engine Spray Paint.
(Both of the above can be purchased at Pep Boys, AutoZone or Murrays)
-Can of Brake Kleen
-Aluminum Foil
-Masking Tape
-S4 Caliper Logos
-Jack Stands
-6pack of your Favorite Beer
-Car Cover (or Something to Cover your Car with)

Assess the front Calipers before doing anything (it isn't a normal flat calipers, it sorta floats so parts are everywhere. You have to find a flat part of the caliper that you can attach the sticker to before going through with the whole deal. Make sure you do this, before starting.

Step One:
As a precautionary measure you will want to completely cover your car so that no overspray gets on the panels or anywhere on the vehicle. If the cover you are using (old bedsheet or something) hangs over the egde, secure it with masking tape to the underside of the car.

Step Two:
Remove the Wheels and Jack the car up, set it on the Jack Stands.

Step Three:
Hit the Brakes and Rotor with Brake Kleen, make sure you do this step thoroughly, if the Brakes are still greasy the Paint will not Bond Well.

Step Four:
Cover the rotor completely With Aluminum Foil, and make sure you wrap some foil around the side of the brake pad...you won't cover the entire rotor, some will get paint on it, but don't worry, it will go away after 30 minutes of driving.

Step Five:
After the Rotors are covered, the car is covered up and you have cleaned the brakes well, it's time for paint. First of all read the instructions on the backof the can before spraying, there is a deliberate method on how to get the paint to set correctly.

Step Six:
Use the color of you choice and lightly cover the entire caliper...don't worry about getting all the way to the back...no one is going to see this anyways. Let it Dry for about 15 minutes. Apply another light coating, let dry for about 20 minutes. And repeat once more with the colored paint. After the last coat, wait 45 minutes for the paint to dry.

Step Seven:
In between waiting for the paint to dry, enjoy your beer...patience is key in this process.

Step Eight:
After 3-4 coats of the Colored Sprat Paint it's time for your Logos. For me, this proved to be the part where I screwed up (but thats because I had to figure out the best place to put the logo. Take your Logo, and Place it JUST above the small aluminum plate on the Caliper, on the Flat part that kinda wraps around to the back. The logo needs a completely flat surface when placing it down, or else you will run into problems. (SEE PICTURE)

Step Nine:
Press the Logo down hard just on the lettering, then slowly peel the protective cover off of the caliper. Wait for another half an hour to let the paint completely dry.

Step Ten:
Time for the Clear Coat....this is a pivotal Step. When spraying the clear coat, make sure that the paint on the caliper is dry to the touch, and there are no bubbles in the logo.
-When you apply the clear coat, spray it very very very very lighlty on the caliper. If the clear coat is applied too heavily, then the existing black paint will bleed over the logo.

Step 11:
After a ver light coating of clear coat on the brake, you are going to wait 20-30mins for it to dry, then reapeat the clear coat process about 4-5 times. Making sure you use light coats in between coating.

Step 12:
After Waiting about 1-1.5 hours after the final coat to dry, take the foil off, rotate the rotor and try to take off some of the paint that got on the rotor (wet cloth, or maybe some of the brake kleen.

Step 13:
The process is the same for the rear calipers, they should be easier to do than the fronts.

This should be a pretty easy, inexpensive mod, and you don't have to wait 24 hours for the paint to dry like the Folia Tec system. I am currently trying to find a reliable source for the logos, because the guy I dealt with is having some issues with getting people their caliper logos. I will post soon where I got them from if he agrees to be more punctual in his efforts to get the calipers to customers.

[2 good 2 be true]

[Rainman00]

[UrQ]

[S4AVNT]

[PNW/S4]

Sorry, was away for a few minutes and didn't catch the earlier post.

[nirad]

[NIEMALS FOLGEN S4]

I used a cheap .86 cent pastel yellow as a primer on my Volvo calipers and followed it with the bright yellow I wanted $2.56 a can. Took five hours to do all four the first time, three coats of base and three of finish held up for 6 years.

Trick is a thoughro cleaning/degreasing and a little patience masking the caliper with tape and newspaper. I also painted my suspension parts and inside wheelwells flat black with silver bolts/nuts and other details when getting ready for a show. As I used a bright yellow an additional coat had to be applied after about 3 years as the brake dust did eat into the paint and spot it. Didn't notice any effect on heat buildup of brake performance.

[s4pat]

[Rainman00]