S2K Complete wheel well detail

[S2K]

This all started as "I want to paint my brake calipers" and one thing led to another and three weeks later I had done a complete detail on the entire wheel wells of my S2K.

Before (this is the front and the rears look pretty much the same) notice the casting lines on the caliper, I want them gone.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0227.jpg

After I pulled the wheels they were pretty dirty so I started off trying to clean them up. I forgot to get a pic before I started but here is Sonax HD Wheel Cleaner dwelling on one. They all looked about the same.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0231.jpg

After a couple applications of Sonax, some serious scrubbing, even some Bug & Tar remover and mineral spirits they just wouldn't get clean enough for my liking.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0279.jpg

So what to do? I can't get them clean so I'll just paint them.
All taped and ready for paint. It took me about 45 minutes a wheel just to tape. Tedious and time consuming. I used Krylon high-temp engine paint because I know wheels will get hot under hard braking.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0277.jpg

After paint, I really like the way they came out, the barrels just disappear on the car. (this pic was after I had the new tires mounted, like I said, one thing led to another)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0327.jpg

Ok wheels are done time to move to the calipers, Well I can't just paint them with everything else looking like this.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0283.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0288.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_02911.jpg

Before I start cleaning, grinding and painting I better protect the rest (thanks for the idea Corey)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0308.jpg

After hours of cleaning, lots of Simple Green and various brushes, I got rid of the dirt but I don't like that surface rust on the control arms and hubs.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0303.jpg

So I applied Purple Power De-Ruster. This stuff works great, just spray or brush it on and it KILLS rust and leaves a paintable finish. This pic is after the De-Ruster before any paint.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0311.jpg

Ok finally on to the calipers. I pulled them off because I want to get rid of the casting marks and other rough spots. Again many hours were spent here, four calipers and four brackets. I used a die grinder with various stones, wire brushes and sanding wheels, also a Dremel with various cutting and sanding bits, and LOTS of brake cleaner.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0294.jpg
Here's a 50/50 of the front followed by the rear.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_02981.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0297.jpg

And everything cleaned up ready for the G2 Paint System.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0301.jpg
I really liked the G2, I could tell while painting that it was going to be a very durable paint. It went on very easy and I had enough to give four calipers, four brackets and the hats on all four new rotors two coats. But you have to work fast, it says it sets up in 4-6 hours but it was about 90 degrees that day and after 3 hours it was getting thick and I had to stop because I was getting some brush marks. I think if it was cooler I would have had more working time. I also found these high-temp vinyl decals from an S2K forum and purchased on Ebay.

I really need to work on my photo skills because I forgot to get a shot of the calipers before I installed them, but here they are after I painted everything inside the wheel well. I used Krylon Fusion spray paint for plastic, it says you don't need any prep or primer though I did clean everything very well. I painted the mufflers and cooling fins of the rotors with Krylon Grill paint which says it is good up to 1200 degrees.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_03181.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0320.jpg

And here is the final look with wheels and new Dunlop Direzza's installed.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0328.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0330.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0333.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_0335.jpg

And my favorite pic of my car I have taken so far.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/102_03511.jpg

This was a lot of work and very time consuming and most of what I did will never be seen by anyone but guess who knows what it looks like? And who else matters, right? So be careful if you want to paint your calipers, you might end up with new rotors, ceramic pads and new tires along with many many hours of work.

Thanks for looking.

[BobbyG]

WOW Dave!! What a fabulous detail but I think you went just a bit farther than a wheel well detail!! Man that came out gorgeous, it's like a custom job off Overhaulin!! :dblthumb2:

You don't work for Chip Foose by some chance do you?

[Jhaight11]

you should of just bought a brembo big brake upgrade :dblthumb2:

[S2K]

WOW Dave!! What a fabulous detail but I think you went just a bit farther than a wheel well detail!! Man that came out gorgeous, it's like a custom job off Overhaulin!! :dblthumb2:

You don't work for Chip Foose by some chance do you?

Thank You very much Bobby, that's one heck of a compliment, I wish I did work for Chip, I would love doing that. Like I said one thing led to another, sometimes I hate starting projects because they always turn into a lot more than I thought. Think I'm a little OCD.

[S2K]

you should of just bought a brembo big brake upgrade :dblthumb2:
That would have been nice but I didn't have 4 grand for a brake job and I still would have had many hours of cleaning to do.

[qaz393]

Detailer tries to clean up coffee stain... with spray paint?! — Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/16/detailer-tries-to-clean-up-coffee-stain-with-spray-paint/)

im sorry, ur use of spray paint reminds me of this.......

[LuxuryMobile]

Looks like a fun project and you sure did a good job. Amazing what painting and cleaning up the calipers, and new rotors can do for the looks of the car.

[Scarelane]

WOW! Looks great!!

[S2K]

Detailer tries to clean up coffee stain... with spray paint?! — Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/16/detailer-tries-to-clean-up-coffee-stain-with-spray-paint/)

im sorry, ur use of spray paint reminds me of this.......

Sorry I wasn't trying to cover up anything without cleaning. I spent many hours cleaning. There were stains on the wheels that wouldn't come out no matter what I tried and the control arms were painted at the factory but the paint had disappeared over 11 years. I wasn't trying to cover up I was just trying to improve. The only coffee spilled was on my workbench when I dragged the airhose across it and hit my cup.

[gatoman39]

Looks amazing. Great post.

[S2K]

Looks like a fun project and you sure did a good job. Amazing what painting and cleaning up the calipers, and new rotors can do for the looks of the car.


WOW! Looks great!!


Looks amazing. Great post.

Thank You All for the compliments!!!

[2kredbb6]

Outstanding!!

[Cat ji]

:goodpost:

Thanks for showing.



Before I start cleaning, grinding and painting I better protect the rest (thanks for the idea Corey)
Where do you get plastic like that, such big sheets?

[Tyrod]

Very nice job! An added benefit is that you had to change out your brake fluid. An often overlooked maintenance item on most any car.

FYI to anyone looking to do something similar. Just about any paint will do. I've seen guys do a color match to their body using regular 2 part modern auto paint. I personally painted the calipers on my TBird 6 years ago just using the cheapest red spray paint I found a WalMart. They still look the same as when I did 'em. Brake heat just isn't the issue we're lead to believe on street cars. Additionally, rotors can look equally ugly on a car. I used to buy rotors with a zinc coating to avoid the rusty look. For those of you who've done the same, you quickly realize the first time you use zinc coated rotors the pad rub the zinc off the contact area. Usually quite noisily. An alternative is to paint the rotor as well. I bought a single can of titanium colored spray paint from Eastwood and have done 4 sets of rotors with it and I still have enough to do at least another set. You don't need to worry about getting paint on the pad contact surface, the pads will rub it off the first time you use your brakes. They will look good for years to come. If you're starting with new rotors a good degreasing with brake cleaner is necessary. If you're using old rotors, then some measure of de-rusting is in order. Then you might consider a paint that kills base rust.

While you're at it, you might consider upgrading to braided stainless steel brake lines. Just make sure they're DOT approved.

TBird Rear Wheel- zinc wash rotors, cheap spray paint calipers and braided brake lines
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/uploads/29023/DSCF0329.JPG

GTO Painted rotors, oem calipers. Has braided lines as well just cain't see 'em
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/uploads/29023/GTO_Wheel.JPG

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Dave, outstanding work!!! I wouldn't have had a clue what I was doing removing all that brake stuff! :laughing: Excellent!!! :props: