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Posted by: bobhasissues Mar 15 2010, 08:52 PM

Got my front calipers off, split and ready to rebuild. I cleaned the bodies relatively well with brake cleaner and a brass brush. I want to paint them, but there is still a lot of baked on brake dust that doesn't seem to want to come off. Is there something I can safely soak the caliper halves in that will dissolve the crud without damaging the internals or the mating surfaces?

Posted by: tat2dphreak Mar 15 2010, 09:06 PM

take them to a plater and have them bead blasted and clear cad plated.

Posted by: 914Sixer Mar 16 2010, 07:35 AM

Use a wire wheel on your grinder, drill or air tools. Make SURE you wear a dust mask and face shield.

Posted by: Pat Garvey Mar 16 2010, 06:21 PM

Grinding & clear coat is NOT rebuilding. Send them to Eric Shea!

Posted by: Krieger914 Mar 16 2010, 06:57 PM

I am going to be doing the same as you. I am considering soaking one in turpentine or laquer thinner and seeing what happens. I have both of these in my garage that is why I'mt rying these. I am not planning on painting or replating.

Posted by: Cairo94507 Mar 16 2010, 07:10 PM

Just based on what I have seen here, when it comes to brakes, it begins and ends with Eric. Personally, when I do the calipers on my car they are only going one place. I don't want any mistakes or screw ups on the only real safety feature these cars have. Just my 2 cents.

Posted by: bobhasissues Mar 16 2010, 08:29 PM

Of course it's not, don't be a douche.


Eric's work is fantastic and I got some of my replacement parts from him. I won't be the last person to successfully rebuild a set of calipers. I did a complete teardown and rebuild of the rears (which are far more difficult) three years ago.

Tonight I tried my Spot Blaster, with baking soda as the blast media, and it worked extremely well. Grime is gone, and no harm to the cylinders or mating surfaces.