Bright red or yellow calipers peeking through the wheels are a cheap way to dress up a car, and yes - you can absolutely paint your brake calipers. But calipers live in a brutal environment of heat, brake dust, and road grime, so doing it right takes the correct paint and prep. Here is how.
Use heat-rated caliper paint
This is the one rule you cannot skip: use paint specifically rated for brake calipers, good for at least 500-900F. Calipers get hot - see how hot brakes get - and ordinary spray paint will bubble, discolor, and flake off within weeks. Caliper-specific kits (brush-on enamel or high-temp spray) are made to survive the heat cycling.
Prep is everything
Paint only sticks to a clean surface. Thoroughly clean the caliper of brake dust, grease, and rust with brake cleaner and a wire brush; the more surface prep, the longer it lasts. Mask off the bleeder screw, the rubber piston boot, and the brake hose - you do not want paint on the flexible brake hose or into moving seals. Many people paint with the caliper on the car; just protect the rotor and pads.
Do not paint the wrong parts
Never paint the rotor friction surface, the pads, the piston face, or the slide pins. Paint on the piston or boot can interfere with movement and cause a sticking caliper. Keep it to the visible caliper body and bracket only. Let each coat cure fully, and do a gentle heat cycle (a few easy drives) to harden the finish.
Cosmetic only - not a repair
Remember painting is purely cosmetic; it does nothing for braking and will not fix a corroded or seized caliper - that needs a rebuild or replacement. If your calipers are healthy and you just want the look, fresh paint plus quality pads and hardware makes the whole corner look and work like new.