Brake Caliper Color | FerrariChat

Brake Caliper Color

Discussion in 'FF/Lusso' started by Vincent Lehmann, Jul 15, 2019.

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  1. Vincent Lehmann

    BANNED

    Oct 4, 2018
    15
    Paris
    Hi guys,

    Just bought an F12 with yellow brake calipers and I am keen on painting them silver; or as Ferrari call them ‘Alluminio’.

    In order to achieve the original look, I have to ensure that the color matches the stock silver and more importantly have to add the ‘Brembo Carbon Ceramic’ decal/vinyl to the calipers.

    As we all know, Ferrari does not hand out the color codes of their wheels nor calipers. On previous threads, the color of Alluminio was determined to being either Argento Nürburgring or Argento Metallizato. If anyone has specifics, please let me know.

    Furthermore, does anyone have insight into the decals/vinyls? Are they painted on using a stencil? Or are they stickers that are simply laminated using a heat resistant coating?

    Any information is greatly appreciated.

    Best regards from Switzerland
    V
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  2. 4_Eff_Sake

    4_Eff_Sake Formula Junior

    Jul 30, 2016
    761
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Scott
    My TDF is painted in Aluminio Opaco. It is it’s own colour, not an Argento. Those calipers appear very similar.
     
  3. TransientWolf

    TransientWolf Rookie

    Mar 15, 2019
    7
    UK
    Full Name:
    Darren Jones-Molyneux
    Looks awesome in yellow. Matches the SF shields. Same as mine with yellow stitching on Daytona seats inside, yellow seat belts and yellow tacho. (Tho have the carbon centre caps).


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  4. Tamahal

    Tamahal Formula Junior

    Mar 8, 2019
    480
    Full Name:
    TAMAHAL
    otakki likes this.
  5. Vincent Lehmann

    BANNED

    Oct 4, 2018
    15
    Paris
    Yes - certainly! They look great in yellow and match the shields. However, I am trying to transform this F12 from the boring/everyday spec to a true gentleman's car.

    Therefor, I will remove the shields, replace the yellow wheel centre caps to black and paint the brakes silver.

    Simply put, IMO, V12s should never be in noisy colors (red, yellow etc.) and should not have shields.

    Anyway, these are all personal preferences.

    Best regards
     
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  6. lamborarri

    lamborarri Formula Junior

    Nov 15, 2015
    452
    I don't think they use body color on the calipers. You can find a reputable shop to match it, it should come out very close. Just make sure they gonna use high temperature paint.
     
  7. CT Audi Fan

    CT Audi Fan Formula Junior

    Oct 23, 2011
    619
    I didn’t think you could remove the shields as there is a shield-shaped depression that the shields sit in. As an option, they can be painted on ... also not removable.


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  8. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
    6,023
    Hopefully some place nice.
    Full Name:
    A.B
    If you want to remove the shields, you need new panels. Your dealer can get those.

    While I'm not 100% sure, I actually think the alu coloured calipers are just the alu calipers with clear on top.

    Friend of mine who has tracked his 488 a lot, "had" the alu coloured calipers, and due to the heat, they are now "gold". This in the exact same way raw and unpainted alu brake calipers change colour due to heat.
     
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  9. Raydog9379

    Raydog9379 Karting

    Jan 10, 2018
    131
    Full Name:
    Ray
    Pretty sure he could swap them for carbon shields if he wanted to go less bright colored and not swap the fenders. If he's spending cash in swapping fenders, then may as well buy new calipers from Ferrari as well vs. trying to repaint the yellow ones.
     
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  10. 635CSI

    635CSI F1 Rookie

    Jun 26, 2013
    3,001
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Graham
    Surely a competent body shop could fill the indentations where the shields sit and re-spray ?
     
  11. R J

    R J Formula Junior

    May 17, 2017
    583
    UK
    No one would buy an F12 with filler in the wings/fenders. Well. I wouldn’t.

    Better to get new panels then, if @Vincent Lehmann were to sell, he could give new buyer the old panels with the shields so new would-be owner has a choice. Improve sale prospects rather than limit them.
     
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  12. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
    6,023
    Hopefully some place nice.
    Full Name:
    A.B
    On a gloss black car? Chances of that turning out well is slim to none, and it will involve removing the panels as well as refinishing the whole panel to get a smooth surface. It is almost impossible not to get a line where the filler meets the edge if the entire panel is not covered and sanded down.
     
  13. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    5,561
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    I think they would cut a piece of metal to match shields then weld it in place sand down ..light filler and than paint probably while panel .. a good shop would do that and not fill in the whole thing with filler ... Maybe costly though

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  14. Tamahal

    Tamahal Formula Junior

    Mar 8, 2019
    480
    Full Name:
    TAMAHAL
    I would keep the car the way it is. The amount of money that would be spent on doing all the mods, I would take in the depreciation in putting some miles on the car. The car looks awesome the way it is!!!! But then, that’s just my humble opinion.


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  15. obbob

    obbob Formula Junior

    Aug 14, 2017
    774
    Beware painting calipers. Caliper painting is the one job that sounds easy but isn't. Too many paints will just spray the entire caliper indiscriminately. This isn't a skill issue, but moreso an attention to detail.

    The simple rule is, if a part of the caliper didn't have paint on it from factory, it should not have paint on it once the caliper has been re-sprayed. Take a look at the painter's previous caliper work and see if he takes his time to cover up screws, pins, etc or if he just paints everything.

    See example below of a bad caliper paint job on a 458 Speciale (the parking caliper and rubber stoppers have been painted when they should not be):
    https://xyqy1138toa1b0can32ggqr7-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Ferrari-458-Speciale-with-HRE-Classic-305-Wheels-11-2000x1334.jpg
     
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  16. 635CSI

    635CSI F1 Rookie

    Jun 26, 2013
    3,001
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Graham
    Oh I don't know. people buy 250 GTOs full of filler !
    Seriously though, posting in the F Chat classifieds for a panel swap might be the way forward ?
    If not as mentioned above, discreet carbon shields on a black car with carbon center caps and sliver calipers would be visually consistent and attractive.
     
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  17. R J

    R J Formula Junior

    May 17, 2017
    583
    UK
    Good point. If means allowed, I would buy a 250 GTO or 250 SWB full of filler. And wouldn’t be worried about prior crashes in a race. But would not touch an F12 or 812 with an ounce or gram of it.
     
  18. otakki

    otakki Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2016
    1,623
    I thought those aerobridges where the shields sit are easily swapped out. Just get a new pair of aerobridges and swapped them whenever you feel like it.

    Another option is to have the darkest window tinting film placed over the shields. I have seen them done and thought they look pretty good, too.
     
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  19. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
    6,023
    Hopefully some place nice.
    Full Name:
    A.B
    You are in fact correct. I forgot that. De-shielding an F12 is in fact easy and "cheap" compared to the others. New bridges and that's it.
     
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  20. 635CSI

    635CSI F1 Rookie

    Jun 26, 2013
    3,001
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Graham
    Ah yes, a big Doh ! for all of us who forgot that :p
     
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  21. Vincent Lehmann

    BANNED

    Oct 4, 2018
    15
    Paris
    Hi guys,

    I appreciate everyones feedback and comments.

    As everyone has suggested, I have now ordered new original aerobridges without shields and will keep the aerobridges with the shields on the side for resale.
    With regards to the calipers, a professional wrap shop is producing the decals for me, which will be applied to the brake after it has been painted in aluminium.

    The decals/vinyl will be applied and then repainted using a clear coat so it won't fall off due to heat.

    In the meantime I have also decided to paint the rear and front bumpers as well as the sides that are grey matt to black matt.
    Again, a minor detail, however in the sun with the body color being black, the grey matt looks ugly IMO.

    The F12/FF/458 generation used a dark grey matt where as the new generation 488/GTC/812 etc. use a black matt.
    See photos... (F12 vs. GTC)

    Once everything has been completed, I will post a photo for those who are interested.


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  22. Matt L

    Matt L Karting

    Oct 1, 2020
    51
    UK
    Full Name:
    Matt

    Do you have photos of the finished car? Especially the wheels/callipers.
     
  23. papou

    papou Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    May 18, 2012
    1,567
    plantation Fla
    Full Name:
    daniel ross
    Having mine repainted any suggestions on where to source decals, FF ceramics.
     
  24. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
    6,023
    Hopefully some place nice.
    Full Name:
    A.B
    I have the alloy coloured calipers on my 488. It is not a colour, it is just clear over aluminium. Not entirely sure which colour would be the closest. Probably Alumino Lucido or what ever it is called. There's of course also grigio alloy. But to get the Ferrari aluminium colour, you'd need to strip them, brush polish them and clear them. The downside is that when they get hot the metal changes colour, permanently. After a few track days my calipers are a bitchin' shade of golden rainbow lol.

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  25. ANOpax

    ANOpax Formula 3

    Jul 1, 2015
    1,125
    The Netherlands
    I think the 488 must be different to the FF as mine are definitely painted. They’re the same colour as the alloy wheels.

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