R3 with Rusty Calipers Repainted

[Prototype_uk]

Just wanted to share this with you in case it helps someone else make a decision. I'll start with the story. Basically, the previous owner/dealer must have used an acid to clean the wheels on my RX8 R3 because it stripped most of the zinc off the calipers and they were rusting bad. Not being one for the Bling of a coloured paint on my calipers I decided to hunt around for something which looked as close to the original finish as I could.

Turns out that MRP do a brake caliper paint in Graphite which is a very good match for OEM. (Well what I could see was left of OEM on mine lol)

Here are some before and after photos. MRP also supplied the discs and I got genuine Mazda pads.

[acegeezer]

Join the OC and you have the beginnings of your own Project thread there.
You would also have benefited from OC members discount at MRP, which could have been most (or more) of your first years membership paid.

[dac69er]

Looks really good. Was it spray or brush on?

I wanted to do one of my other cars calipers, but like you, didn't want any bling colours.

[98of400]

Looks really good. Was it spray or brush on?

I wanted to do one of my other cars calipers, but like you, didn't want any bling colours.

FYI I went for silver Hammerite on mine. The hammered finish looks great and hides any minor imperfections in the underlying surface. I check the tech. sheet beforehand and it's good for temperatures way higher than I'd expect from normal, spirited, driving. Has been on there for months now and looks the same as the day I brushed it on.

[Goobie]

The before picutres look just how mine did when I got it. Good effort there, like the colour choice.

Ive always used Hammerite on mine too, never had any heat troubles etc.

[Prototype_uk]

Looks really good. Was it spray or brush on?

I wanted to do one of my other cars calipers, but like you, didn't want any bling colours.

It was brush on which was good so I didn't end up with over spray lol You cannot tell they have been brushed painted. I applied 2 very thin coats, the first coat was applied as thinly as I could. There is loads of paint left as it hardly used any from the tin.

[Prototype_uk]

Looks really good. Was it spray or brush on?

I wanted to do one of my other cars calipers, but like you, didn't want any bling colours.

FYI I went for silver Hammerite on mine. The hammered finish looks great and hides any minor imperfections in the underlying surface. I check the tech. sheet beforehand and it's good for temperatures way higher than I'd expect from normal, spirited, driving. Has been on there for months now and looks the same as the day I brushed it on.

The surface on mine is mottled anyway so the paint sinks into this to give the effect shown in the photos. Do you have any before/after photos of yours?

[warpc0il]

Hammerite is fine for calipers, until your first track day, then it just cooks off.

This behaviour is also quite handy on a road car as it's a very simple indication if/when one of your calipers sticks, as that will also burn off, or at least discolour, the Hammerite.

[Prototype_uk]

Hammerite is fine for calipers, until your first track day, then it just cooks off.

This behaviour is also quite handy on a road car as it's a very simple indication if/when one of your calipers sticks, as that will also burn off, or at least discolour, the Hammerite.

The Caliper paint I used is Heat rated to 220°C

[dac69er]

Hammerite is fine for calipers, until your first track day, then it just cooks off.

This behaviour is also quite handy on a road car as it's a very simple indication if/when one of your calipers sticks, as that will also burn off, or at least discolour, the Hammerite.

Not an rx8, but did a couple of trackdays with a car that had hammerite smooth black painted calipers and it was fine!?

Maybe I wasn't pushing hard enough