This VF Clubsport 25th Anniversary came to AutoFX WA for caliper painting, but the first proper clean changed the direction of the job. Once the brake calipers were cleaned and inspected, the original white logos were still excellent and the factory red paint was approximately 99 per cent intact.
A complete repaint would have removed an original finish that was still worth keeping. Because this Clubsport is a carefully stored shed queen rather than a daily-driven vehicle, preservation became the priority.
Why we decided not to repaint the calipers
Caliper painting is normally used when the existing finish is badly faded, chipped, peeling or no longer presentable. That was not the condition we found on the visible surfaces of these calipers.
The red remained very close to its original appearance and the factory logos had survived particularly well. Replacing good original paint with a new finish simply because the vehicle had been booked for painting would not have been the right decision.
Instead, the original calipers were carefully prepared and sprayed with a protective clear coat. This retained the factory red and white logos while adding protection over the surviving finish.
Cleaning the stained backs of the calipers
The backs of the calipers required considerably more work. These areas were heavily stained and could not simply be cleared over in that condition.
They were carefully cleaned and then worked with cutting compound to improve the surface sufficiently for clear coating. The purpose was not to make them look modified or unnaturally new. It was to bring them back to a clean, consistent factory-style appearance that suited the condition of the rest of the car.
Paint correction and ceramic coating for the wheels
The painted wheel surfaces were also corrected to reduce suitable marks and improve their appearance. Once the finish had been prepared, the wheels were protected with OPTiX OP888 ceramic coating.
Brake dust and road contamination can bond strongly to unprotected wheels. OP888 creates a protective surface that helps make normal contamination easier to remove during regular washing. It does not eliminate maintenance or prevent every mark, but it provides useful protection over the corrected wheel finish.
Preserving an original VF Clubsport
This job was not about making unnecessary changes. It was about recognising what remained original, deciding what genuinely needed attention and preserving the vehicle accordingly.
The original caliper paint and logos were retained, the stained rear surfaces were carefully improved, and clear coat was used to protect the completed work. Correcting and coating the wheels complemented the caliper preservation without changing the factory character of the Clubsport.
Sometimes the correct restoration decision is knowing when not to repaint an original component. For a carefully stored 25th Anniversary Clubsport, retaining an excellent factory finish was more important than replacing it.
Learn more about our brake-caliper painting and refinishing service in Perth and wheel ceramic coating.
AutoFX WA is located in O’Connor and services customers from Fremantle, Melville, Cockburn and surrounding Perth areas. Contact us to discuss your vehicle.
