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Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:08 pm

Aside from clear powder coating (which is way too expensive), any way to keep a new brake drum nice while keeping it the original color?

Anyone tried just a layer of caliper paint clear coat? I'd love to keep the two tone look of the dark center and silver outside. Thanks!

Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:17 pm

Are you wanting to keep it bare metal looking because you like the bare metal look or when you say "original looking" are you trying to keep it as it would come from the factory? The reason I ask is that it would have come painted black from the factory and not bare metal.

Fri Jun 22, 2018 4:59 am

I was hoping to keep the bare metal look. I forgot they were painted from the factory... :oops:

Are there alternatives to paint, like some type of oil that would keep moisture/rust at bay?

Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:01 am

I've heard good things about Gibbs Brand Lubricant as a bare metal protector.

http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/

Steven

Fri Jun 22, 2018 7:20 am

SparksLP wrote: I was hoping to keep the bare metal look. I forgot they were painted from the factory... :oops:

Are there alternatives to paint, like some type of oil that would keep moisture/rust at bay?

there are cast iron color paints that may suit your needs they are sometimes sold as manifold paint for the car hobby. a clear paint may also work for you., or just plain a dull greyish silver color

link...

https://www.amazon.com/VHT-ESP998000-FlameProof-Coating-Paint/dp/B000CPINBG

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/duplicolor-eng.../7140895-P

https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-EDE165107-Ceramic-Engine-Paint/dp/B001DKRFX6

Good Luck, Bug On, Keeping Rust Away, You Will Save The Day!

Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:35 am

SparksLP wrote:
Are there alternatives to paint, like some type of oil that would keep moisture/rust at bay?

Oil.
Brake drums.

Sounds like beggin' for trouble.

Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:59 am

I just painted the drums for my 66 with high temp engine paint, it was like 8 bucks for a rattlecan at O'Reilly. It's an OG drum that I just cleaned up with a wire wheel. I'd imagine they make a similar clear paint that should work for you.

Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:21 am

Make sure to re-torque your wheel bolts after a few miles. Once the paint gets worn off, you've got a gap the thickness of the paint between the wheel and the drum. Easiest way to lose a wheel.

I know.

Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:37 am

Bob Loblaw wrote:

Oil.
Brake drums.

Sounds like beggin' for trouble.

Ha! I was more thinking using the oil type stuff to protect the outside face of the drum. Definitely don't need to lube up the braking surface!
I might look into that Gibb's stuff, I wouldn't mind having to recoat them periodically if I could keep it bare metal and rust free!

Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:40 am

Cadmium plating.

Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:15 am

You might try buying some rattle can clear at your local auto parts store. Spray it and let it dry for a couple days. Should do you fine if you aren't going to subject the drums to crappy weather.

Sat Jun 23, 2018 4:12 pm

Carcrazed,
You have any experience with clear coat on brakes like that? I'm worried about the heat causing the clear coat to bubble or peel...

Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:54 pm

Try caliper paint. I like black but clear may be available.

Max

Sat Jun 23, 2018 10:41 pm

Just paint them black. And you don`t need hi heat paint.

Mon Jun 25, 2018 6:53 pm

I've used the clear spray-on POR15 on all kinds of stuff on which that I wanted to maintain a lifetime finish.

I have NOT used it calipers- but brake line Tees, remote door latch pulls, door latches and plates, dimmer switches and split bus taillight buckets- you name it. Looks fantastic (I assume forever) and very tough.