Folks the paint on two of my calipers has started to come off and looks fairly untidy. I assume that there was been some heat generated which may have caused a problem, or the paint has chipped and it's got worse. Is there a specific colour match for the OE red caliper paint? I'd rather not have to completely strip and repaint them if I can avoid it.

Ta

Folks the paint on two of my calipers has started to come off and looks fairly untidy. I assume that there was been some heat generated which may have caused a problem, or the paint has chipped and it's got worse. Is there a specific colour match for the OE red caliper paint? I'd rather not have to completely strip and repaint them if I can avoid it.

Ta

Very hit & miss to try and paint calipers in situ.

Even in nice conditions (Summer ideally) they are never right. Painting around brake pads, springs and rubber seals is really tough.

The only way to be content is to strip them and have them polyester powder coated. They'll then look good for ages again. Also, try and avoid Wonder wheels or any acidic wheel cleaner. They destroy the finish and ultimately the powder coating.

Believe it or not Hammerite Smooth Red is a perfect match for the calipers

I have used wonder wheels from new, since march 11 and the calipers look like new after every wash. Will they fade to pink any time soon??

Most likely. Yes they will

Bilberry Safe Wheel Cleaner is the only thing (apart from warm soapy water) that should be used to clean wheels.

Wonder Wheels and the like are acidic and destroy paint and lacquer and are not only potnetially dangerous, they're not very "green" . Before I knew any better I used acidic cleaner on my White Compomotive MO's and after 24 months they had to be stripped and resprayed.

Bilberry is available from a specialist supplier or from FleaBay. Get yourself some and a chemically resistant sprayer;

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19cbad726e

or

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item20ba81287d

dilute to requirements in this;

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19c4be8c5c

or this;

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2c61a33a06

Work of warning; Whatever you use, DO NOT clean wheels if they are hot - it's the fastest way to pink calipers even with Bilberry. Always leave them to cool beforehand.

I was aware of not cleaning hot wheels, thanks for the links I'll get some new cleaner and let you know how I get on.

I have seen some really good recommendations for using Virosol on wheels but haven't followed it up myself yet. Seem to remember it was an economical approach.