I can’t tell you how many e-mails I get asking me which color brake caliper paint should be used on which color car, or which color Engine paint should be used as an accent color. The thing is… I don’t know. To be honest no one knows, it’s a matter of aesthetics… It all comes down to personal choice. There may be someone out there who thinks purple calipers look great on a lime green car! Hey who are we to judge?

So if you want to know how a specific color is going to look on your car… I can offer an opinion, but that’s all it will be simply an opinion. By the way… For the record I would never put purple calipers on a lime green car! If you want an opinion please feel free to e-mail me at billh@g2usa.com and I’ll be more than happy to offer mine.

A better route would probably be to request a sample of the colors you are interested in. We offer sample swatches of all available colors at no cost, so you can actually see what the color will look like on your car. If you would like a sample request sent out, once again all you have to do is e-mail me at billh@g2usa.com and let me know which colors you are interested in and what your mailing address is and I’ll have some samples mailed out to you!

So what are you waiting for? Get your samples today! Even better yet… While you are waiting for your samples to arrive… Why not become a member of our new G2 Performance Styling Products Car Club? Becoming a member is absolutely FREE, and couldn’t be simpler. All you have to do to is request membership and submit pictures of your ride with either our High Temperature Brake Caliper Paint System Set or our High Temperature Engine Paint System Set to be featured on our website. That’s it!

I get quite a few e-mails asking various questions about the preparation and procedures involved in painting brake calipers. Literally everything from “What is the optimal temperature to apply your product?” to “What color should I use on my 1981 Camaro?”. I make it a point to answer each e-mail as promptly and thoroughly as I possibly can, because believe me I appreciate every one.

However I was thinking that other readers would benefit from the answers as well. You know how it is… Sometimes you really want to know something, but you are afraid to ask… Mostly because you don’t want to look foolish. So today I thought I would answer the top 5 questions I have received since this blog’s inception:

1. Can you mix the paint in batches?

   This question is far and away the most asked question, and unfortunately the answer is yes and no… Let me explain. When you receive your brake caliper paint kit, the amounts are pre-measured. In other words if you pour the entire jar of reactor into the caliper paint can and stir (As is recommended.) you have the optimal amounts of both parts to achieve the high-gloss self-leveling finish that you have come to expect from our brake caliper paint. Make no mistake… This is how our brake caliper paint was meant to be used. So no… You shouldn’t mix our product in batches.

   However being that there is a 4-6 hr. working time with our brake caliper paint once the reactor is added to the paint, the question usually arises from those who don’t own and or don’t want to invest in a good set of jack stands. The logic being, if they mix half of the reactor with half of the brake caliper paint they can jack one side of the car up and do the calipers, allow them to cure, and then repeat the process on the other side with the other half of the reactor and brake caliper paint. Sounds great in theory… However it doesn’t work out that well in practice.

   As stated earlier, when you receive your brake caliper paint kit, the amounts are pre-measured. So in order to achieve the high-gloss self-leveling finish that you have come to expect from our brake caliper paint you would need to split these amounts in half perfectly… This is easier than it sounds. It’s definitely not something you can eyeball, it needs to be done by weight, and you’ll need a jeweler’s scale that’s accurate. Otherwise the formula may be skewed and the finish will be adversely affected. So yes… You can mix our brake caliper paint in batches, however it is recommended not to. It’s much easier to simply invest in a good set of jack stands, and make sure all of your prep work ie. cleaning the calipers, applying masking tape, etc. is done before mixing the reactor in with the paint.

2. Can I save left over paint, and use it again tomorrow?

   This question actually goes hand in hand with the question above. Again based on the fact that there is a 4-6 hr. working time with our brake caliper paint once the reactor is added to the paint, the question usually arises from those who don’t own and or don’t want to invest in a good set of jack stands. However instead of mixing in batches, some people attempt to store half of the pre-mixed brake caliper paint and reactor in an air tight container for use at a later time and or date. This absolutely does not work!

   Storing the pre-mixed brake caliper paint and reactor in an air tight container does not retard the hardening process. If you attempt this, rest assured when you come back the next day to paint the other side you wil have a very bright, very hard hockey puck.

   Again… It’s much easier to simply invest in a good set of jack stands, and make sure all of your prep work ie. cleaning the calipers, applying masking tape, etc. is done before mixing the reactor in with the paint.

3. Is the date on the back of my kit an expiration date?

   No. The date on the back of your brake caliper paint kit is not an expiration date, it is actually the born on date. Your brake caliper paint kit is good for 18 months from the born on date. In other words if your brake caliper paint kit is marked as JAN 07 on the back, that kit would be viable until JUN 08, and maybe longer. There is no expiration date on the paint itself, it doesn’t ever really go bad. The expiration date refers to the reactor which may harden. If you have a brake caliper paint kit that has expired but the reactor is still in a liquid state it is actually still a usable kit.

   Some of you may remember that our brake caliper paint had a shelf life of 6 months. The shelf life has been extended from 6 months to 18 months based on an improved vaccum seal cap which is now being used on the reactor which has greatly increased the viability period of the reactor, thereby increasing the shelf life of the product.

4. Can you custom match colors?

   We can, and will custom match any color. You would need to supply a sample of the color you would like matched, and there is a minimum purchase requirement of 8 kits per color (prices vary based on raw materials required for your color). So… for example let’s say you wanted to paint your brake calipers aquamarine to match the custom graphics on your ride. You would need to let us know you are interested in a custom color. You will be advised on where to send our sample. Once the sample is received we will have it analyzed and a formula for that color will be developed, as well as a price per kit based on the raw materials needed. Samples will be supplied to you for approval, and if all is well your custom order will go into production.

   If you are interested in a custom color, shoot me an e-mail at billh@g2usa.com or call me toll free at (877) 388-3901, and I’ll be glad to help you.

5. What is the difference between your brake caliper paint and your engine paint?There is absolutely no difference in formula. The only difference between kits is volume. The engine paint kit contains more paint and therefore more reactor than the brake caliper paint kit. Other than that it is the exact same formula, same gloss, same self-leveling qualities and same heat resistance.

I hope you find these answers helpful. If there is a question or concern that you may have that I haven’t addressed here please feel free to shoot me an e-mail at billh@g2usa.com or call me toll free at (877) 388-3901, and I’ll be glad to answer it if I can.

The Preval portable aerosol spray gun used in the G2 Brake Caliper Paint application video was a huge hit with our readers. I received quite a few questions about the process of removing brake calipers. It seems many of you want to know how difficult it is to remove your calipers to paint them…

It’s really not that difficult, so today I thought I would go over the process of removing and then re-installing your brake calipers properly and more importantly, safely.

For those of you who don’t know a Phillips screwdriver from a flat head, or a socket wrench from an allen wrench… The good news is the self leveling properties of our G2 Brake Caliper Paint make it perfect as a brush on application! Removing your brake calipers is in no way required! The thing is some guys enjoy wrenching on their cars over the weekend, and this post is geared more towards them.

Please remember safety should be your number one priority, so don’t smoke, or drink alcoholic beverages. And please be aware of your surroundings at all times… Keep an eye out for sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

And finally, if something goes wrong, or if you feel you are in over your head, seek the assistance of a professional mechanic or installer. Remember… SAFETY FIRST!

Removal:

1. Be sure to loosen the lugnuts on the wheel.
2. Raise and support vehicle with jack stands.
   Never attempt to work on a vehicle being supported only by a jack! Always place a jack stand under the vehicle. If the vehicle slips off of the jack, it could cause you serious injury or death!
3. Remove the vehicles wheel.
4. Loosen the caliper bolts. If your vehicle has a two piece caliper (ie: some late model GMs), loosen all necessary bolts before removing the caliper.
5. With your drain pan ready under the caliper, loosen the brake hose “banjo” bolt before removing the caliper. Being very careful to pay special attention to the hose position so it can be reinstalled the same way later.
   Brake fluid is corrosive! DO NOT spill any on your car or yourself.
6. Remove the brake caliper mounting bolts and remove the brake caliper from the steering knuckle.
7. Remove the “banjo” bolt that holds the brake hose to the brake caliper, and separate the brake caliper and the hose.
8. Once the hose is separated from the brake caliper, be sure any brake fluid still dripping from it, is caught in your drain pan.
9. Drain as much fluid as possible from the brake caliper. (Brake fluid will cause the G2 Brake Caliper Paint to not adhere to the caliper!)
10. Remove the brake pads, the shims, the anti-rattle clips and any other hardware from the brake caliper. You should never re-use shims or anti-rattle clips so you can dispose of these. The pads can be re-used, however since you have them off anyway… Isn’t now as godd a time to change them as any?
11. Then remove caliper bolts/sliders and rubber boots from your brake caliper and inspect them for wear and tear. If the bolts/sliders are stripped, pitted, rusty or otherwise damaged, or the boots are torn, it is best to replace them. This is also a great time to apply caliper lube to any parts that the brake caliper slides upon, and also to apply lube to the inside of the rubber boots or bushings that the sliders go through.
12. Once all hardware and parts have been removed from your brake caliper, and all of the brake fluid has been drained from it, you are ready to begin painting.

Detailed instructions for painting your brake calipers with G2 Brake Caliper Paint are available as well as a video depicting the application of G2 Brake Caliper Paint, simply search the Tips & Tricks category. Once you have applied the G2 Brake Caliper Paint color of your choice, and allowed your brake calipers to cure, it’s time to re-install them.

Installation:

1. Re-install the caliper bolts/sliders and rubber boots to your newly painted brake caliper.
2. Before you install the brake pads, you’ll want to make sure the caliper piston is compressed completely. This should be fairly easy with the brake caliper not attached to the brake hose, and no fluid in the brake caliper.
3. Once the brake caliper is compressed, you can install new shims, and anti-rattle clips. (Never reuse old shims or anti-rattle clips.)
4. Reattach the brake hose to the brake caliper, but don’t tighten it completely yet.
5. Install the brake pads onto the brake caliper, paying close attention to inboard and outboard brake pad position.
6. Apply Anti-Seize to brake caliper bolt threads, and install brake caliper. Be sure to use the proper torque setting on the caliper bolts.
7. Once the brake caliper is installed, move the brake hose into it’s original position and tighten to the proper torque.
8. Now you’ll need to “bleed” the system. This step is very important as it ensures you only have brake fluid in the brake lines and brake caliper. If there is any air in the system, it will compress when you step on the brake pedal giving a mushy feel to your brakes, and poor stopping performance. There are a couple of different ways to bleed brakes (Please refer to your service manual, as some newer vehicles with ABS systems require a specific bleeding process), but the result is the same. By using a one man vacuum style kit it can be done by one person. However I’ve found it’s best if you have a buddy able to lend a hand. If you’re using a one person brake bleeding kit, follow the instructions included with the kit. If a friend is able to help you, use the following guidelines
9. Fill the clear jar with 1-2 inches of new brake fluid. (Never re-use brake fluid!)
10. Using a clear 3/8” hose, 1-2 feet long, attach one end to the bleeder valve of the brake caliper, and place the other end directly into the brake fluid in the clear jar.
11. Top off the fluid in the brake master cylinder.
12. While you hold the hose onto the bleeder valve, loosen the brake bleeder valve.
13. Keep holding the hose on the bleeder valve, and have your buddy slowly press the brake pedal down. This will force brake fluid from the master cylinder through the lines, forcing the air and fluid through the caliper, and out the bleeder valve. You will see fluid and air bubbles coming out of the hose into the brake fluid in the jar. (Make sure the hose stays in the fluid in the jar to avoid any air going back up to the brake caliper.)
    
14. Check the master cylinder fluid level, and top off as needed.
15. Repeat the bleeding process until there are no air bubbles showing in the jar.
16. Once you are satisfied the system is free of air, have your buddy slowly step on the brake pedal one last time.
    As fluid is flowing into the clear jar, tighten the bleeder valve, then check your master cylinder fluid level again.
17. Double check all your torque settings and make sure everything has been reinstalled.
    Once you’re satisfied everything is complete and safe, install the wheel, lower the car and repeat for the other side.
18. Take the car for a test drive, slowly at first until you’re sure everything’s good.
    Once safely back home, re-check the brake fluid, and if everything looks good, you’re finished!

I told you it wasn’t that difficult! You might actually enjoy it… There is something very satisfying about working on your car. It gives you a great feeling of accomplishment!

As always if you have any questions or comments I’m always here to answer them, and I would love to see your results… You can submit installation pics to G2 here to be featured…

So…

What are you waiting for??? Go paint your calipers already!

There is no debate that our flag-ship product is definitely our brake caliper paint. However let’s not forget that we also offer the same famous paint we have for brake calipers in an engine painting kit as well!

The G2 Engine Paint Kit is suitable for use on racing engines and is heat resistant up to 950 degrees Farenheit just like our brake caliper paint. The high-gloss finish never fades, it self levels while painting, and it is chemical & wear resistant just like our brake caliper paint. The bottomline is our engine paint kit is the perfect way to dress up any engine compartment parts that don’t get hotter than 950 degrees Farenheit such as valve covers and engine trim.

The G2 Engine Paint Kit is the ideal, do-it-yourself alternative to expensive and labor intensive powdercoating. Our kit guarantees a great-looking, professional finish that will last the life of your car. Ease of cleaning, show-quality shine, and the satisfaction of doing it all yourself make our engine paint kit the best choice for engine compartment styling.

Best of all the G2 Engine Paint Kit is available in the same 11 high-gloss, wear-resistant standard colors as our brake caliper paint: Red, Yellow, Blue, Silver, Black, Purple, Green, White, Gold, Orange and Pink. Plus it can be purchased in Limited Edition Custom Ford Mustang colors such as Legend Lime, Vista Blue and Fire Red.

Have you used our engine paint on your vehicle? If so we’d love to see the results! Better yet we’d love to feature the results on our website as well as here on our blog.

All you have to do is join the G2 Performance Styling Products Car Club. We are proud of the products we manufacture and more importantly we are proud of the terrific group of automotive enthusiasts that use and support them! We welcome all of you to join this fun and exciting club.

Membership Benefits Include:

• Free G2 Window Decal
• Club member only vendor discounts
• Monthly Club newsletter
• Your ride featured on the G2 website

Becoming a member is absolutely FREE, and couldn’t be simpler. All you have to do to is request membership and submit pictures of your ride with either our High Temperature Brake Caliper Paint System Set or our High Temperature Engine Paint System Set to be featured on our website. That’s it!

You can apply to be a member of the G2 Performance Styling Products Car Club here.

Join today!