Acura: How to Paint Your Brake Calipers
Painting the brake calipers on your Acura can give it a nice, custom look. Read on to learn how to do it properly.
This article applies to the Acura TL, MDX, RDX, and TSX.
Painting the brake calipers on your Acura may not seem like much, but it can completely change the look of your wheels. Especially as you drive and the wheels turn, you get to see the colorful calipers sticking out and turning heads. Painting the calipers could be done in a few ways, most commonly done by spray paint, but some people prefer using a brush. Whatever your way may be, the preparation is the key. This guide will show you how to prepare your calipers and paint them. Read on to add some flair to your Acura's wheels.
Materials Needed
- Jack and jack stands
- Tire iron
- Socket
- Painter's tape
- Newspaper
- Spray paint
Step 1 – Raise the car
Use your jack to raise the car, then use your jack stands to secure it. Use the front jacking point under the subframe to raise the front, or the rear one on the rear frame hitch to raise the rear. The jack stands go on each side of the frame.
Figure 1. Front bracket. 
Figure 2. Rear bracket.
Step 2 – Remove brake caliper
Remove the brake caliper by removing the two rear bolts on the back of it. Don't remove the brake line, and don't let the brake caliper hang from the brake line.
Step 3 – Cover components
Use your newspaper and painter's tape to cover any component that you don't need to get paint on. We highly recommend removing the brake pads from the caliper and masking the caliper piston. You want to be very patient with the preparation, so cover any nuts and bolts that you don't want paint on, as well as the brake line, the rotor, and anything else that you feel might get sprayed by accident.
Step 4 – Paint the calipers
With the caliper clean, spray the paint about six to eight inches away from the caliper. Make sure to keep your hand constantly moving; if you stop at one spot, the paint will bleed down. Do about three coats, leaving five to 10 minutes between each coat.
Step 5 – Install components
Let the caliper completely dry for a few hours, then install it back in place if you've removed it. Put the wheel back in place, tighten the lug nuts, and lower the car.
Related Discussions
- Calipers Without Removing Rims - AcuraZine.com
- Painted Brake Calipers - AcuraZine.com
- DIY Paint Calipers - AcuraZine.com
