Focus MK3 removing brake calipers

[tomosap]

Hi,

Wasn't sure where to put this topic, so please move if it's better suited elsewhere...

I'm looking to paint the front and rear brake calipers on my focus, and in order to do a decent job I want to remove them off the car completely and clean them up and paint them properly. I'm pretty handy with a set of spanners, and have taken them off before to change discs and pads, but where I come unstuck is on removing them completely.

The car has done 70k miles so the brake fluid could do with a full flush, so with that in mind I'd get a mechanic to replace the fluid and calipers but my question is what do I do with the brake lines after I've disconnected the caliper?

I've read that it's not a good idea to crimp them as it can damage the line, so can anyone offer any guidance?

Thanks,

Tom

[stef123]

Stick a clamp on the flexi and unwind the caliper from the brake hose. 

[tomosap]

Cool, so by doing this you don't think it'll harm anything?

[stef123]

Removed plenty of calipers without harming the hose.

[ZetecMan1]

just use some masking tape as and when needed.

No need to take the caliper off completely surely.

[tomosap]

I'd rather take them off completely so that they can be properly cleaned, which is hard to do when they're hanging by a metal rod off the car :\