How long to cook brake calipers ?

[Charlie]

I painted my calipers this morning (again - see further down) and was considering putting them into the oven to harden the paint off properly, so that when I reassemble them I am not gonna leave finger marks in the lacquer.

What I don't know is how long to leave 'em in there - or what temp to use. I looked in the wife's cook book, but Delia Smith was useless for brake materials.

I do know for certain that 15 minutes at 120 degrees is far too long and way too hot cos that's what I did yesterday, and it bubbled all the paint so I had to strip it all off and repaint them again today

So any advice please (other than stay away from the tools)

[oldtimer]

Depending on what paint you use, I use Plastikote BBQ paint, 1 hour at 90oC then leave to cool before handling them, used it on my calipers, rocker cover, custom made tail tidy and indicator bracket, various brackets ...... works a treat.

[Charlie]

Thanks, I used Hycote Acrylic (rattle can) it has about 5/6 coats of black gloss and four coats of clearcoat. I would think BBQ paint is gonna stand the heat better than the stuff I used....I have some BBQ paint I could have used, but dont want to spend 2 hours stripping again to start at the beginning ..

[z1bman]

have you tried Heston Blumenthal's recipe?

[kas750]

Too much paint applied and the wrong type Charlie.That will chip for fun.
I have used this with very good results and it is very tough.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-500-ML-SI ... 3a684f7b08

[oldtimer]

....I have some BBQ paint I could have used, but dont want to spend 2 hours stripping again to start at the beginning ..

I blasted mine, takes a few minutes.

[Ginger Bear]

Charlie, I normally bake stuff like that at around 70 degrees C, for as long as you like, or until the wife gets home.

[neilbarrett]

I normally put em in the microwave at no 7 for 10mins

[PAULJAC47]

Last bike bit i put in the oven was a z9 head filled the house full of smoke ,set all the smoke alarms off,stunk the oven out,was i popular,nearly as much as when i left mucky bits in the dishwasher

[Charlie]

Thanks guys.

Sorry I couldn't reply earlier - I managed to lock myself outta the forum when I changed my email address

The wife has barred me from the kitchen anyway, seemingly washing Nitromoors off in a sandy coloured fibreglass sink discolours it somewhat ...

I did protest it was all her fault, she will go to work and leave me home on my own.... but apparently I strip bike bits in there at my peril now

Women eh? why do they think kitchens are just for food preparation ?

[harrythemagnum]

Best results let the paint dry first to let out the solvents, at least overnight.
Acyclic can stand a higher heat, bout 140*c for a an hour, let cool slowly.

[Charlie]

Well, not that I am scared of the wife you understand , but I used my garage fan heater in the end. I just stood the calipers in front of it for most of the day and let the hot air blow over them (come to think of it - I could have used the wife for that too).

It must have done the job, cos I built them up just now and have left no finger marks.



Doubtless I will end up with brake fluid all over 'em when it comes to fitting - but that is for another day



Thanks for all the input guys