Brake rotor paint

[Andrew McD]

It's a problem I've run into before but have yet to resolve; a paint color that is representative of what brake rotors look like.  I'm currently working on the Revell '32 Ford 5 window high boy and the brakes are chromed!  I stripped the chrome off and I've tried different versions of steel, flat aluminum, gloss aluminum.......but nothing looks right to me.  Can anybody suggest a paint that gives a decent depiction of what a brake rotor should look like?  

[JollySipper]

It might not be a paint color you need, but more of a 'finish'. Maybe paint them some kind of steel color, then scuff the rotor to represent wear from the pads?

[StevenGuthmiller]

I don't know exactly what affect you're looking for, but personally, I would use one of the many different metal finishes that Alclad offers if I were looking for a color to paint rotors.

If they don't offer an exact shade that you desire, it's very easy to buy several different colors and mix a shade that's acceptable to you.

 

I don't know how you're painting your parts, but in these kinds of situations, you'll almost always get a much better representation of what you want by air brushing rather than brush painting.

 

Another suggestion to add some realism to simulated metal parts is to add some detail in the form of a wash or some other technique to add depth to the parts.

Something like the wash and dry brushing added to the transmission on this Pontiac engine.

It can go a long way to making a part look more realistic.

 

You probably don't want a brake rotor to look this well used, but it gives you an idea of what I'm talking about.

 

 

 

 

Steve

 

[Mike C]

Maybe some rust. Just take a look at the brake rotors of cars that have been sitting around for a while, or even the day after a rainstorm. The rotors will have rust on them.

[charlie8575]

I would start with the steel as a base. I never really went into a lot of detail on it, because, at least on my cars, the brakes really aren't all that visible, but I would try putting a little black-wash on it to try to bring some texture out with the steel paint, and the friction material from the pads. A little rust at the hub, and maybe around the edges where there's no friction contact, might also help.

Grab a spare rotor or other piece of thin plastic, and experiment with this. This is an idea I came up with off the top of my head just now, and I'd be curious to see how it works.

Charlie Larkin

[espo]

A look at a few real vehicles and something along the lines of what you're trying to represent. The Rotor surface isn't chrome, but it is sort of shinny if it is currently in use. Any holes drilled in the rotor would be a good place to put a little detail of brake dust. The mounting hardware would vary with the extent of detail from one car to the next. Calipers themselves can have any number of colors and finishes, again depending on the type of vehicle and its use. As suggested the area on the edge of the Rotor and /or the cooling fins may show a touch of rust and brake dust. Depending on how visible you're making the brake setup would depend on how much effort you put into detailing. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

I think what all of the responses so far demonstrate is that in the end, the actual color used isn’t really of much consequence.

A brand new brake rotor is basically silver on the machined portion and usually either black or dark gray in the un-machined areas.

The realism will be accomplished by whatever technique you use to give it some life after paint.

One thing that I’ve learned in the short time that I’ve been doing any weathering at all is that it’s really hard to screw up.

So paint them whatever shade of silver looks good initially, and then have some fun with it.

 

 

 

Steve

Edited March 28, 2023 by StevenGuthmiller

[ctruss53]

The "worn" surfaces of brake discs are nearly always a very bright bare metal with concentric scuff marks.

I haven't stepped up my brake disc game yet, but when I do I would probably do this.....

1. spray paint the discs silver.
2. add a clearcoat
3. polish to a high gloss finish
4. apply your chrome finish of choice (I am on the SMS train right now. I love the stuff)
5. Once chrome finish is dry, VERY lightly add some concentric scuffs with sand paper or maybe a toothpick or xacto might work.

[StevenGuthmiller]

If you really want the machined surfaces of the rotor to look used, my suggestion would be to scuff some BMF with a fairly fine sand paper in whatever pattern you would like while it’s still on the backing and then apply the foil to the rotor surface.

I’ve used this technique for the brushed stainless steel panels on the roof of a ‘60 Chrysler Imperial and it worked quite well.

 

 

 

Steve

[peteski]

Alclad II steel or stainless steel look pretty good as cast iron color to me.  I used one of those colors (don't remember which) on this bike's rotor.