best way to remove paint from brake parts

[apopleptic]

I took apart my master cylinder to replace the piston and cup and more importantly the reservoir and a large portion of the paint is flaking off. Now I'm trying to remove the damaged paint from my caliper and master cylinder so I can repaint it. Any suggestions on the easiest way? I was thinking of painting it red so I figured it would be best to take off all of the old paint first.
Thanks!

[Dogma]

Make sure all the brake fluid is cleaned off via appropriate solvent, and then use paint stripper ("aircraft stripper" works well, from the local parts shack).

What paint are you putting back on? Something that can survive a brake fluid spill?

[mike_of_bbg]

Carb dip. Caliper paint.

[apopleptic]

I saw red caliper paint for about $7. same price as the black so I figure that would be the stuff to use.
I'm open to suggestions as long as they aren't too expensive

[apopleptic]

With the carb dip, soak for how long? do you have to brush it off after? or just wash it off?

[Nessism]

Por-15 makes some caliper paint. There stuff hold up much better than typical so it might be worth a try.

[hampshirehog]

Nitromors for getting the old stuff off - just count your fingers after you've finished using it. Or a wire wheel on a drill.

For painting all the stuff the other guys have suggested but also Wilkinsons barbecue satin black works very well too (and for some strange reason is resistant to brake fluid). Just takes quite a while to dry (don't handle for 2 days).

[apopleptic]

OK, I'ev started with the master cylider not the caliper. I tried soaking in the Carb Dip (expensive and no selection) for 36 hours and then scrubbing with a brush but only the damaged paint came off. I was kind of dissapointed by this. So I went to the store and looked at Naval Jelly, says 'Do not use on aluminum' so I figure bad idea. then I'm told of 'Aircraft remover' and I figure that this should work. I take it home, and put a coat on and again it only seems to be breaking up the edge of the paint.
What the heck did they paint these things with from the factory?
I've sprayed this thing 3 times now and let it sit at least 5~10 minutes each time and still not having the reaction I would have liked.

Plus oddly, after I used the brush and set it aside a bunch of yellowjacket bees started buzzing around it. I've never even seen a yellowjackt in my yard up until then.

[cowboyup3371]

You may have to use the aircraft stripper a few times to get all of it off. Spread it on , go inside and fix lunch, come back out 20 or 30 minutes later and it should start coming off enough to use a plastic scraper on them.

[apopleptic]

I'll try again later tonight.
I've noticed ever since I put that first coat of it on this morning everything I try to type is coming out backwards so I need to take a break. Maybe get a cup of coffee.
I'll let you know what happens.

[Nessism]

If the old paint is sticking so tenaciously why are you trying to remove it? Just scrub down the caliper really well with simple green and a scotchbrite and paint that sucker.

[apopleptic]

If the old paint is sticking so tenaciously why are you trying to remove it? Just scrub down the caliper really well with simple green and a scotchbrite and paint that sucker.

... I'm not sure...
It was suggested to get all the paint off beforehand.
I've not painted too many things really so I was going on this advice.
I think I like your advice more.
I'm going to call the number on the can of airplane stripper and mention my dissatisfaction to get a refund, and then do as you say. I usually wouldn't call, but it does say 100% satisfaction guarantee on the can and it wasn't really cheap enough to throw away.

[chuck hahn]

Getting all the paint off first lets the new paint lay on smoothly and not have patchy looking crap all over it. I use a few applications of TAL STRIP paint remover and then wire wheel anything left on..dremel wire wheels in the tight places.

[Octain]

Barrymans, then I soak the parts in paint thinner.

Wash with hot soapy water. Tape off anything you dont want painted. Then paint.

[apopleptic]

I have to tell you, for the amount I spent on chemicals I could probably have bought a blasting cabinet and a sprayer. I think I'm going to try painting over whats still on there. If it looks like crap, well it already did. And it'd not like it didn't already have paint stuck all over it.
Depending on how poorly it turns out, I'm going to pretend it never happened and start over.