Jeep Cherokee Forum

Jeep Cherokee 1984-2001: How to Paint Your Brake Calipers

Painting the brake calipers is a nice way to spruce up your XJ. If you are curious to know what it takes to get the job done, read this article to learn how.

By Neftali Medina - September 1, 2015
Contributors: AndysAutoSportTV

This article applies to the Jeep Cherokee (1984-2001).

Everyone likes a taste of luxury. Painting the calipers on your Jeep is an inexpensive way to get the look and creates the perfect opportunity to freshen up some of the older forgotten parts of the vehicle. Normally, if you take it to a shop, you'd have to pay for a powder coating procedure which, although looks great, can become costly. The alternative requires some work on your end, but allows you to save some cash while providing a similar look. Use the following instructions to repaint the brake calipers on your Jeep Cherokee XJ.

Materials Needed

  • Rubbing alcohol 70%
  • High-temp paint
  • Metal wire brush
  • 300/600 grit Sand paper
  • 7mm Allen key
  • Garbage bags
  • Brake cleaner

Step 1 – Remove the caliper from its bracket

This process entails removing the caliper from the bracket itself, while keeping the brake line attached. Take your 7mm Allen key and loosen the bolt. Use some boxes to make a small platform near the rotor, so it can be supported while you paint it.

Figure 1. Remove and support the caliper.

Step 2 – Clean the caliper

By now, the caliper should have a nice thick layer of grime that you will have to scrub off.

Figure 2. Supplies needed to clean caliper.
  • Grab your brake cleaner and spray a nice heavy layer onto the caliper.
  • Take the wire brush and begin to scrub off the grime.
Figure 3. Use a wire brush to remove the grime from the caliper.

Step 3 – Sand the caliper

  • Once you are finished scraping, grab some alcohol and apply it to the caliper.
  • Take the 300 grit sandpaper and start smoothing out the rest of the caliper.
  • Afterwards, use 600 grit sand paper and smooth the rest of it out.
Figure 4. Use sand paper to smooth the caliper.

Step 4 – Apply the first layer of paint

Make sure you clean the area up of any brake dust and replace your gloves before you paint.

  • Cover any exposed areas of the Jeep with a garbage bag.
  • Apply the first layer of paint on top of the caliper.
  • Once it dries, apply another coat.
  • Continue to apply coats until the caliper looks finished to your liking.
Figure 5. Apply coats of paint onto the caliper.
  • Once one side is finished, flip the caliper over and paint the other side.
  • Layer the paint until finished.
Figure 6. Apply paint on the other side of the caliper.

Step 5 – Reinstall the caliper

Reinstall the newly painted caliper back onto the rotor assembly.

Figure 7. Caliper reinstalled.

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