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Upgrading your brakes is a great way to add both performance and visual flair to your ride. The trend towards bigger wheels can make brake calipers and rotors the star of the show. Here are a few favorite ways to dress up your brakes.
Paint the Calipers
Brake caliper paint kits provide everything needed for a new great-looking finish.
Performance brakes on sports cars are often painted to stand out. You can easily paint your existing brake calipers to create a splash of color. Brake caliper paint, available in various colors, is formulated to withstand the heat that comes with braking. You can pick a color that matches the car or look for a striking visual contrast.
Brake-caliper paint kits come in both spray and brush-on versions. Sprays offer better coverage, but you might prefer a brush if touch-ups are needed.
Preparation is the key to success. Remember not to let the removed caliper hang by the brake line. Support it with a bungee cord or wire. Clean your calipers thoroughly to remove dust, dirt, or rust—and mask off areas you don’t want to paint. Budget about two hours per wheel for the best finish, and allow the paint to cure overnight.
Depending on the size and shape of your caliper, brake caliper decals are a nice finishing touch.
Caliper Covers
Brake-caliper covers are an easy and inexpensive way to add style.
If you’re not keen on painting your calipers, consider adding attractive brake caliper covers. Covers give you the same look as paint but without the extra work. They come in various colors and styles and can be customized. You can even use a custom-engraved design. They don’t require prep work, install in minutes, and stay clean.
Dustless Brake Pads With Minimal Dust
Ceramic brake pads enhance stopping power while keeping your wheels clean.
Your vehicle might already have good-looking wheels and calipers, but black brake pad dust makes them look ratty. Perhaps it’s time to upgrade to ceramic brake pads.
These pads combine the best qualities of organic and semi-metallic brake pads to provide reliable braking performance, excellent fade resistance, and long life. The ceramic-pad materials produce less dust, which will not stick to the wheels. In fact, given these advantages, ceramic pads are becoming standard on today’s new cars.
Drilled or Slotted Rotors
Slotted or drilled brake rotors enhance stopping power.
Drilled or slotted brake rotors, designed for heavy-duty application, enhance cooling, which minimizes brake fade and keeps the rotor from warping due to excessive heat. You can complete a rotor replacement with basic hand tools.
Big-Brake Upgrades
If you have power under the hood, upgrading your stopping capability is a gift that keeps giving. Bigger brakes use high-performance calipers, rotors, pads, and fastening components to enable your car to handle tough high-performance and heavy-duty stops.
Read this: Enhance Your Car’s Performance with a Brake Upgrade
