GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Here we go again with this very tired topic, but I have a new twist. My experience comes from a NOVICE DIYer. My motto: why do it when you can pay somebody else.Anyway, I had ordered a G2 caliper paint system a while back and I finally had time today to apply. A couple of things up front: I did not want to take the calipers off because I do not trust myself to get them back on. Also, I did not have a way to get the entire car off the ground, so I borrowed my neighbor's 3 Ton jack. It was able to get half the car off the ground at a time.1st picture: Wheel off, before 1st coat of paint.

Attached files

The directions say to spray some cleaner onto the caliper and tape off some of the rubber parts.Picture #2: preparation for cleaning

Attached files

One coat of paint applied. I have to say that I thought the first coat would cover better, but the directions do indicate that a second coat should be applied.Picture #3: 1st coat of paint

Attached files

Waited about 15 minutes (per directions) and applied second coat of paint. It made a big difference, but still didn't cover very well. At this point, the acrylic paint was getting kinda sticky and the brush was more "pushing" the paint around than actually applying the paint. I also have very little patience for this kind of thing and I think I did a pretty sloppy job.Picture #4: 2nd coat of paint applied.

Attached files

Wheels are now back on. From a distance, they don't too bad. They would not stand up to close-up scrutiny. I figure, no one will be as close to the calipers as I was when I was painting them.Picture #5: wheel back on.

Attached files

I think it looks very good . Once you put the wheels on it will look even better and from a distance you won't even notice any minor mistakes.Good job Edit: Ok, now I just saw your wheel pic post. Looks great!

One side done (actually the whole car was done at this point). Full side view. Once again, from far away, it doesn't look too bad. The rear calipers were a real pain to paint, because they are so small.Picture #6 (last one): side view of car.

Attached files

In conclusion: out of a 1-5 scale (5 being best), I would say my caliper paint job is a 2.5. Would I do it again? Probably. I would rather have paid somebody else who would do it correctly so I would be happier with the results.Live and learn, right?

From what I see in the pics, I think it looks like a 4-5 out of 5.

Thanks for the kind words JustinVGT. I went back and looked at the pictures. It doesn't look bad. In real life; however, I can see my screw-ups.

Salsa!,Thanks. I think a spray can would have done a better job, but that would have required taking the calipers off, and I really, really didn't want to do that.

i used the g2 paint kit and i think mine came out much better than any spray on. it's a hard enamel, high gloss finish. really, it looks great. i made some mistakes too, but i didn't tape anything off or cover anything. just painted.

Bro it looks awesome seriously Good job....hey man you did it yourself what satisifaction

That's pretty sharp looking. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it from looking at the pic with the wheel off, but the final look is really nice. Good job!

Joat,I think I have to agree. I was a little worried about the way it looked with the wheel off, but now that the wheels are one, it looks pretty good.

i love the yellow showing thru the rims. ties very nicely w/ your yellow overlays. and it won't matter if you got a little paint here or there... doubtful people will be looking THAT closely!

Those look great! I agree with trdvibe, I don't think anyone will notice the little mess ups you might have. The big thing that helped me when I did mine was that I bought a small brush to use for those tight areas that the brush that came with the kit couldn't get to without making a mess and getting paint on other things that I didn't want it on.I love how the yellow looks with the black. Great choice!

I think you did an outstanding job! Looks excellent! Remember you are you're own worse critic. Nobodies going to point out any of the defects you think are there. If you like, then that's all that matters.By the way the Vibe looks sweet!