New brakes / painted calipers

[Jiggerachi]

Finally ditched the cheapo brakes after 2 years of bitching about them, I put OEM pads front / rear, new Napa rotors on the front. I didn't notice it untill I started driving the Element daily but the brakes had slowly gotten so bad I was literally standing on them just to stop at lights. The front rotors were warped and shook the interior any time I hit the brakes in the highway. Anyway they're gone and my car actually stops now.

My question is, how much is the hand-brake supposed to stop at speed? I was having a hard time coming to a complete stop from 30 with the hand-brake only. I have it adjusted right, but it still doesn't seem to grab like it should. Definatley better than my last set but not by much. I know the fronts almost coested into an intersection before they were fully bedded in, maybe since they're rear brakes they're taking longer??

Alse got some good caliper paint from Napa. I love the red caliper look, but didn't think my tiny rotors were deserving and it would be ricey so I went with black. It's hardly noticable, but looks like new rotors, little nicer than stock. Im happy with it.





Finally washed off all the winter dirt, shes a whole new ride!



I have a set of used front rotors, they're warped, but probably can be machined to like new. I only ditched them out of spite. Anyone needs them come pick them up.

[Nails]

Looks very nice.

[creek]

I painted mine with the same stuff about 4 months ago and it is holding up great. I also painted the rotor centers black because I have black wheels. None of it has cooked off yet. I even painted the rusty old exhaust heat shield and it didn't burn off either. It must be really high temp paint.