Painting brake parts

[Joe D.]

What type of paint should I use on my drums and backing plates for my 1961? Thanks for the help, Joe

[Duke W.]

Re: Painting brake parts

I use flat high temp. header paint, to keep them from developing surface rust, but I don't know if that is "correct" per the JG.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: Painting brake parts

Duke and Joe-----

I believe that the backing plates were originally painted a high gloss black. With respect to degree of glossiness, I'm less sure about the brake drums, but I think that they were medium to semi-gloss black. Heat should not affect the backing plates too much, so a standard automotive paint ought to suffice. However, high heat paint in gloss, semi-gloss, and flat black are available from VHT paints and other suppliers. I'd use the 1400 degree variety on the drums.

[Dale Pearman]

Re: Painting brake parts

The drums, backing plates and for that matter the entire rear axle assembly was delivered from Detroit Gear & Axle in medium gloss black paint. John Deere medium gloss enamel is ideal.

The judging guides and many judges believe that the drums were unpainted. If you are looking for points call your Team Leader and ask what he wants to see regardless of the way the Corvettes were built.

Dale Pearman

[Duke W.]

Re: Painting brake parts

I would agree that the drums were either not painted or painted with a very low durability paint that quickly vanished in the thermal environment of normal street driving.

Duke

[Dale Pearman]

Re: Painting brake parts

I have proof positive as well as pictures indicating that through 1963 the drums were painted medium gloss black. Sometimes they had asphaltic mastic on top of that!

Dale.

[Loren L.]

Re: Painting brake parts

I also have a nice photo (showing shock changeover) of a nicely painted rear HD Drum on a '60 - photo taken May 1960.

[Dale Pearman]

Re: Painting brake parts

There's lots of photos out there of unmolested brake drums and they're all painted; HD and standard.

Dale.