Thread: Brake Lines and Caliper Paint

Putting in these new brake lines I got from Classic Tube. I read on another forum that their lines need to be tightened extra tight or they might leak. I was thinking of putting thread sealant on the connectors. I read that putting tape on the threads is not recommended.
Any thoughts on using thread sealant on the brake lines?

Also, I want to paint my calipers silver & black. The calipers are off the car. What brand paint are you guys using? There's that G2 paint, also DupliColor. Does anyone have a sure-fire process for making calipers look their best? (other than powder coating)

No tape, I've never used that stuff on brake lines before.

Just install the lines, make everything tight and wait a little bit, loosen the nut and then make it tight again. That can help "seat" the lines/fittings together for a better seal. On some stainless brake lines it could take several times to help seat things.

Don't put anything on brake fittings. If you do, they will most likely leak.

For caliper paint, and major brand is good. I use Plasti-Kote.....
http://www.plastikote.com/products/S...per-Paint.html

I put a set of brake and fuel lines from Classic Tube in my 01 Suburban, no leaks. Agree don't use any sealants on the fittings.

Concerning caliper paint, consider POR-15 brand. I have used POR-15 products since the early 2000's on all my GP's and never once had an issue. They now make a dedicated caliper paint kit with everything you need for your brake calipers. I bought the kit but have not used it yet. My belief is that is will outlast the caliper paint kits from other companies. My 2 biggest issues in the past have been with paint fading and chipping. I will provide update once I apply the POR-15 caliper paint. http://www.por15.com/POR-15-Caliper-...-Kit_p_58.html

A little late on responding, but thanks for the input guys. It's likely I will get the POR-15 brand caliper paint. Sounds like NotEnoughGPs is a fan, or at least owns some stock in the company. Lol

Came across the info in the link below. Dude heated the calipers in the oven at 200* after painting. Sounds like a beneficial extra step...
http://www.restore-an-old-car.com/ho...-calipers.html

a lot of flared (bubble or 45° taper) hard line/tube connections do need to be "burnished" like ya do with critical fasteners/bolts (ARP etc)
I usually Grease the hard-line under the ferrul nut and I grease the threads on the nut and bleeder screws for most of my s*** to prevent corrosion

I used high heat ceramic engine paint and never had an issue chip, etc, cleaning them good prior to paint is key... That said

RockAuto has powder coated calipers cheap (upgrade F-Body) so not sure all that baking is worth the time or effort. One drive down the highway or a nice hill and they'll hit 200* easily!

As an aside, with my engine out, the bay nice and clean, the brake lines look ready to evaporate, so I ordered Classic Tube SS lines rather than worry about flaring and bending NiCopp lines. Fuel lines look ready to go too, but I'll worry about those later, maybe just run braided lines for them then, lol.

Dont forget to get the Goodridge SS lines (#12279) too, is worth it if fixing/upgrading your brake lines, calipers.

Just my $.02

Turbo, what type of grease? Any or some crazy high heat stuff? Sounds like a great idea, I had a bleeder one time I had to put caliper in a vise and torch the thing to get the bleeder out, lol... I'm sure because "Pontiac", haha

anyways...

This is all I have ever used and i've had no issues.

I actually bought a bottle (brush in cap) of arp lube though regular moly (black/dark gray) chassis grease is just as good I take care not to get it in the tube or on the sealing face

Looking at the stock lines, they have these thick metal connectors on them. Don't think they're connectors though. What are they? My replacement lines don't have these.

Inline proportioning valves.

Thanks, Turbo. Googling that now. I did some reading and You Tubing about brake lines before this repair and never heard them mentioned. Are they a necessary component that I need to add to the replacement lines?

Yes you need them, without them you could hit the brakes and do a dounut. I reused mine, each one has 2 different fittings though.

Calipers= **** paint

1. toaster oven
2. harbor freight powder coat system + powder
3. take caliper apart, clean, coat, bake (do not eat)
4. enjoy something 50x better than paint

Originally Posted by ItHurtz

Yes you need them, without them you could hit the brakes and do a dounut.

Good to know. Glad I posted that question. Just more s**t I gotta buy. Dammit. I'm not reusing these old ones. There's no way those old brake line fittings are unscrewing from there. Not worth the trouble for $14 a pop. Add it to the list....