You painted them on the car....how is that even possible....can't wait to see the DIY pics.

 

Formatting the pictures for the DIY pictorial...

 

Here is the little tutorial to paint the calipers while they are still on the car...




This is to what we started off. (it's much easier if you start from your fading black calipers!) the PO probably used a G2, brush on paint and just placed the PORSCHE stickers on top.

After two hours of sanding/scrapping/removing applying any cleaner/remover, we get to this:



This is bare metal... perfect!

The next step is to wrap the front end using a black plastic bag. You make a small hole at the bottom of the bag and then squeeze the caliper to being exposed thru the hole. The bag, you use it to wrap the rotor and all what's behind



Using tape, you cover the pad/sensor cable and dust caps.



I didn't take a picture of the priming step.... (sorry!)

When painting with ceramic engine paint, you are limited to time... you have to be very precise on the coats intervals and between primer/enamel/clear. those times are critical...
Lay the primer with a light coat, wait 10 minutes, another light coat, wait 10 minutes and then apply a wet coat. You are done with primer. Wait 30 minutes and do the same for your color ceramic engine paint and finish with the clear in the exact same fashion... One tip... make sure paper/plastic/whatever doesn't end sticking to the drying paint... if that happens, you are in for a surprise!



Once you are done with the color stage, wait 2 hours to make sure the paint is some how cured and apply your sticker. Make sure you align it correctly and face it correctly. there is no going back at this point. Once done, proceed to apply the clear. The advantage to doing the sticker under the clear and that it looks like under glass and become part with the caliper intend of peeling out later on the road.







Once the clear is cured, step back and admire your creation... it is like glass!





No brush marks, no smears or runs... just perfect and all for $40 and 2 days of hard labor













This is not for everybody but it's a very rewarding job. The "speed yellow" color of the calipers remain me of my now gone SY 996 and provides the right amount of color to an otherwise murdered out, 997, while matching the yellow seat belts that I will order from Ryan at Suncoast Motorsport!

I don't wanna get into the debate of yellow is for ceramic and red is for 997S... It's your car and it should please you, not anybody else (well, maybe your wife a little!)

 

Major kudos!.. Your calipers look better than some I've seen that have been powdercoated. Now you have me thinking..

Can you describe the priming process in detail.

If I knew how to give you rep points, you'd definitely get one!

 

Priming is like applying any of the other coats... Just lay a light coat that covers all the surface of the caliper and wait 10 minutes. then apply another light coat. wait 10 minutes and then lay a wet coat of primer. You are done with the primer. Wait 30 minutes and then apply your color.

All products should match: hi temperature ceramic engine primer, hi temperature ceramic engine enamel (this is your color of choice... in my case is called "Daytona Yellow" and hi temperature ceramic engine clear (glossy)

 

I dig those black Lobster Forks

 

yes, I embraced the love for lobster forks early on my 996 ownership (these where installed on my 996) and as soon as I got the 997, I switch 'em over. I know we are a minority around here!

 

Looks like a great job.

 

Joel, brother, YOU are my idol! LOL! Getting my wheels on my car tomorrow, and h&r springs...(can't wait!!!!).
Next will be the rear dectane lights, followed by the front LED's. If I may, I would like to have you "assist" me with that project....I will go to your place if you want. I really want to start getting my hands "dirty" with my car! Not to mention the $$$ I will save on labor! Plus, we can hang out and talk cars, watches, guns.....etc!!!! What do you say?

 

Super job and a great do it yourself job for just about anyone. Looks great!

 

Looks amazing!

 

That is really amazing....how di you prep the surface and get it so clean. Also, how did you prep and paint the backside. Looks like you got some overspray as well....did you not worry about that too much?

I may actually do this on my Merc as well.

 

hey Abdon! don't forget to post pictures of your champion wheels!!!!! it's a deal! I can go to your place, so don't worry... (I do house calls... I' really trying to create a group of porsche lovers that can hang together and work on the cars, talk and share knowledge... just let me know when you are ready... I'm pretty clear Friday/Saturdays and Sunday's! let's do this!

in regards of surface preparation, patience, razor blades, sandpaper and lot's of elbow grease is key. I painted both sides. the back takes a little yoga/contortionist experience, but still is doable. the overspray is minimal using ceramic spray paint and everything got protected by the plastic sheet and paper covering I used. 80 of the car was covered during this process... none of the overspray landed on the car's surface...
thanks again for the kind words and Abdon, we got a deal, just let me know when you are ready.

 

hey joe,

what size PORSCHE stickers will fit base carrare calipers(non S model) ?
3 inch or 4 inch?

 

my stickers are 3.5, right in between. I don't know if xenonmods is still selling those, but I got 6 stickers for $10 at ebay (where I bought the ones I did on my 996 4 years ago...)