Paint finish for a Z1B front brake caliper

[Vince@Z1b]

Gents

Paint finish for a Z1B front brake caliper, Black Satin?
Any recommendation on paint?

Vince

[tlc]

I used PJ1 epoxy / porcelain ? hard satin black.

Everyone else will tell you to plastic coat it

[Steve Cooke]

Satin black stove enamel, if not powder coat
And Chris I thought you preferred original so what's with the Epoxy?

[tlc]

Stevey you naughty boy

I learned a valuable lesson last year which was that I did not take part in this forum until my Thou` was in a ready state. That meant I had to make it up as I went along and I made some costly errors.
I bought a pair of calipers from the states that were in very good nick and upon closer inspection of the paint finish found the closest finish was the above mentioned PJ1 paint.
I started by using the Satin case paint but that suffered from stone chips so I had to redo them.
This time I used the hard version and so far they have been more durable and pretty close to what I unwrapped in the post.
I would rather paint things again than have Powder Coat. Having used it before I`m not a fan.

I`m not an Evangelist for all things stock and each to his own but my stock bike will be as close as I can make it whilst still not being afraid to use it.

When I get my project I will do things to that along the lines of some of the bikes here like GB`s or Brian450`s.......................but Powder Coat will not feature.

[mick znone]

i know its not original, but to keep the cost down im trying to use what i have in the shed. therefore i am using magnolia emulsion, if prepared correctly i think it will wear well. JOKE,JOKE,JOKE. ok im going back to work. its not magnolia, its farrow and ball "fields of spring straw"

[Steve Cooke]

I prefer durability over originality therefore I don't mind powder coat and stainless steel but in the case of calipers which are very prone to damage whatever is used and after trying all manner of finishes I found stove enamelling to be best as it's tough, applies thinly and does look original.

[Ginger Bear]

TLC,
Nice to hear you've been tempted to ''The Dark Side''.
I look foward to the pic's of you with the angle grinder

As for powder coating, I have not had a ''bad experience'' & it would be my choice for calipers, as the interface with brake fluid/paint is never a good one, However I believe the newer DOT 5 (I think, can't find it at the moment) doesen't have the paint stripping abilities of the earlier stuff

[tlc]

I have modified bikes before but found the building more fun than the riding !

[mick znone]

looks like those old asbestos roofing sheets on the garages, hope you're not still working in those garages TLC, not without a p3 mask

[Ginger Bear]

TLC,
Agreed, the building is a Big part for me, but I am gonna make the time/effort to ride my steed when it's all sorted.

Mick,
I am worried you might come across some floral print wallpaper, for your tank/panels & a bit of old shag pile to re-cover the seat I am worried it might not be a good look

[tlc]

Thanks for the concern Mick. I moved from there about 5 years ago.

Shoddily built places they were......................GLC and all that

[RALPHARAMA]

If you have a good powder coaters locally who are used to bike bits I would suggest that powder coating is the way to go.

I have tried painting them, but it only takes a tiny bit of fresh brake fluid to bollix all your hard work. In the South West I would recommend Griffs Reality Motorcycles for powder coating calipers.

[mick znone]

oh GB, i now feel an urge to do my bike in just that way, im sure it would gain some interest lifes a funny thing

[Vince@Z1b]

Thanks gents for all your opinions.

[wilsonsjw11]

Ralph
I have 2 calipers at Griffs Reality m/c at the moment for satin powder coating on your recommendation,will let you know the outcome.
Steve