Professional custom powder coated brake calipers in a vibrant finish, showcasing the precision work of California Calipers and Powder Coat It in Santa Cruz.
When a vehicle rolls out of the factory, brake calipers are typically painted black or left bare metal. They're functional, but far from exciting. For automotive enthusiasts in Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas, there's a better option. Powder Coat It and its specialized subdivision, California Calipers, are transforming ordinary brake systems into statement pieces that match a vehicle's personality.
Both businesses operate under one roof at 7000 Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz. Powder Coat It has been providing custom coating services since 2010, handling everything from patio furniture and bike frames to exhaust systems and automotive parts. California Calipers takes that expertise and focuses it specifically on brake caliper refinishing, with over 15 years of hands-on experience in precision automotive work. The owner, Jeremy, is ASE certified and has specific awards in Brakes and Suspension, so added peace of mind is built into every project.
Two Businesses, One Mission: Say No to Boring Brakes
The tagline "Say No to Boring Brakes" captures the philosophy behind California Calipers. Factory brake calipers do their job, but they don't add to a vehicle's visual appeal. Custom powder coating changes that completely.
"Say No to Boring Brakes" text-based image from California Calipers, reinforcing the custom powder coated caliper branding in Santa Cruz.
Powder Coat It serves as the foundation: a full-service coating shop with the equipment, experience, and color selection to handle virtually any project. California Calipers builds on that foundation by specializing in the precise work brake calipers require. The result is a division that understands both the technical side of coating and the specific needs of automotive enthusiasts.
Dodge Challenger brake calipers professionally powder coated in a high-gloss finish, part of the California Calipers core exchange program in Santa Cruz.
Mopar Specialists with a Wider Reach
California Calipers has developed a strong reputation among Mopar owners. Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, and Dodge Magnum drivers often seek out factory color matches that tie into their vehicle's original paint scheme. Colors like Plum Crazy, Sublime, Hemi Orange, and B5 Blue are iconic to the Mopar community, and having calipers that match the body creates a cohesive, high-end look.
The specialization in Mopar vehicles comes from years of working with these specific makes and models. Brake calipers vary in size, shape, and mounting configuration. Familiarity with these differences ensures proper disassembly, coating, and reassembly without compromising brake performance.
While Mopar vehicles are a focus, California Calipers handles other makes and models as well. European sports cars, Japanese imports, and domestic trucks all benefit from the same level of precision and finish quality. The process remains the same regardless of the vehicle brand: thorough preparation, high-quality powder coating, and careful reassembly.
Custom powder coated Dodge Charger brake calipers in a bold factory-matched color, highlighting the precision automotive coating services at Powder Coat It.
Factory Color Matches and Beyond
One of the biggest advantages of working with California Calipers is access to Powder Coat It's extensive color inventory. The shop stocks over 600 powder coating colors on-site. This includes factory Mopar colors that match OEM paint codes, high-gloss finishes, textured options, and custom metallics.
Factory color matches are popular because they create a seamless look. When calipers match the body color: or an accent stripe: the entire vehicle appears more intentional and well-thought-out. It's the difference between looking like a stock daily driver and a show-quality build.
For those who want something different, the full color library is available. Neon shades, candy finishes, and two-tone combinations allow for complete customization. Customers can visit the showroom, see physical samples, and choose the exact finish they want before work begins.
The Core Exchange Program: Back on the Road Faster
One challenge with brake caliper refinishing is downtime. Removing calipers from a vehicle means that car isn't drivable until the work is finished. California Calipers addresses this with a core exchange program that minimizes wait time.
The core exchange program works by providing a set of pre-refinished calipers immediately. A customer drops off their original calipers and receives a finished set in exchange. This allows the vehicle to be back on the road the same day. The original calipers are then refinished and added to the core inventory for the next customer.
For Mopar vehicles specifically, California Calipers stocks cores for popular models like the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, and Dodge Magnum. A ready-to-go inventory of Dodge caliper sets is also kept on hand (excluding Hellcat), and these sets can be powder coated as soon as an order is placed for a faster turnaround. These vehicles share brake components across several model years, making the core exchange program particularly efficient.
Not every vehicle has cores available immediately, but the program still applies. In these cases, the original calipers are refinished on a priority schedule, and the customer is notified as soon as they're ready. The goal is always to reduce the time a vehicle sits on jack stands.
Two service options are offered for convenience. Calipers can be shipped directly to the shop for refinishing, which works well for customers outside the Santa Cruz area. For local Santa Cruz customers, the entire vehicle can be dropped off for full start-to-finish service, so removal, coating, and reinstallation are handled in one place.
High-gloss orange powder-coated brake calipers showcasing a durable and vibrant custom finish by California Calipers and Powder Coat It.
Why Powder Coating Beats Paint for Calipers
Brake calipers operate in a harsh environment. They're exposed to road salt, brake dust, heat cycles, and constant vibration. Standard spray paint can't hold up under these conditions. Powder coating can.
Powder coating is applied as a dry powder and then cured in an oven at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This creates a chemical bond that's significantly more durable than liquid paint. The finish resists chipping, fading, and chemical damage. It's also solvent-free, which means no harmful fumes during application.
For brake calipers specifically, powder coating handles heat better than paint. While extreme track use can still cause some discoloration, powder coating maintains its integrity far longer than any spray-on alternative. For street-driven vehicles, a powder coated caliper will look as good in five years as it did on day one.
The finish also has a unique depth and gloss that spray paint can't replicate. High-gloss powder coatings produce a mirror-like shine, while textured finishes offer a subtle contrast that looks intentional rather than rough or uneven.
Porsche brake caliper in high-gloss metallic purple with gold lettering, showcasing the color precision and durability of custom powder coating services for performance vehicles
The Synergy of Two Businesses Under One Roof
Having Powder Coat It and California Calipers in the same location creates several advantages. Customers who bring in calipers often have other parts that need coating as well. Suspension components, wheels, exhaust tips, valve covers, and chassis pieces can all be refinished at the same time.
This saves time and ensures consistent color matching across multiple parts. A Dodge Challenger owner who wants Plum Crazy calipers might also want matching shock towers or a color-matched subframe. All of these parts can be coated in the same batch, guaranteeing an exact match.
The shared equipment and expertise also mean faster turnaround times. There's no need to coordinate between multiple shops or wait for parts to be shipped elsewhere. Everything happens on-site, and customers can communicate directly with the team handling their project.
For larger automotive builds, this becomes even more valuable. Restoration projects often require dozens of parts to be coated. Having a single point of contact who understands both general coating and automotive-specific needs simplifies the process significantly.
Serving Santa Cruz and Beyond
Powder Coat It and California Calipers are located at 7000 Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz. The central location makes it easy for local customers to drop off parts, review color samples, and pick up finished work. The showroom displays physical samples of different finishes, which helps customers visualize how a particular color will look on their vehicle.
While the shop serves Santa Cruz County, customers travel from throughout the Bay Area and Central Coast. The combination of quality work, fast turnaround, and specialized automotive experience draws enthusiasts from San Jose, Monterey, Salinas, and Watsonville. Some customers even ship calipers from out of state for refinishing.
The 15+ years of experience in brake caliper work means the team has seen nearly every challenge that can arise. Seized bleeder screws, corroded pistons, and worn mounting hardware are all addressed during the refinishing process. The goal is to return calipers that not only look better but function better as well.
Powder Coat It
7000 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone: (831) 435-9558
Website: www.powdercoatitsc.com
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