Brake Cliper refurbishment and Prop shaft questions

[BigDave1]

1. Brake Caliper: Just thinking about refurbishing all brake clipers with new seals and pistons - on my 89' 325i Sport. I also want to give them a deep clean and new paint. Is there anywhere that specialises in the parts I will need for this refurbment if not OE? Is buying completely reconditioned items a sensible option and if so, where from? Also, what's the best paint for calipers - I'm guessing Smoothrite.
2. Prop shaft 1: Prop shaft is off the car at present. The rear UJ seems to be fine, nice and tight, but when I gently rotate the end that connects it to the LSD it notches, or rather stalls, into a central position along the main axis. A little nudge moves it on again but it is happy to settle into this central position whenever I rotate it. Possibly not making myself very clear but need to know it its normal for the rear UJ to 'notch' into a central position like this? Should add that there's no grinding, grating or odd noises coming from the UJ when rotated.
3. Prop Shaft 2: Also need to change the central carrier bearing. Lke I said, the prop is off the car but is this a straight forward job?

[Jozi]

I can't help with your prop questions.

I have refurbed my callipers before, I got the piston seals and booths from biggred (I think C3bmw do them and also BMW). I cleaned the callipers back with a wirewheel and grinding stone, had I known about it I would have used deox-c or another rust removal product/technique. Their going to last me kong enough until I can afford a brake upgrade. I would stay away from hammerite, I've used a high temp paint but you can get calliper paints that can withstand the corrosion from pad dust and resitance against brake fluid. Pretty sure there;s a tutorial in the wiki to refurb callipers

[BigDave1]

Thanks Jozi. Good tips there and really helpful hint about the paint. I'll look up C3 as I've bought stuff there before. Thanks

[spiny]

I've used bigred for calipers for other cars i've owned and had good results, not bought any e30 bits from them though.

[Jozi]

Biggred were good to deal with, they do refurbed callipers also.

[Brianmoooore]

For getting the callipers (and their brackets) back to bare, clean metal, look up a recent thread where I promoted electrolysis.

[BigDave1]

Thanks guys. Brian, the elecrolysis thread was particularly enlightening. I have most of the bits needed to crack this job and will get on with it. I like getting good results with minimum effort and this seems the best course to take for me and the calipers! I'll keep the before and after pics for the blogg I've yet to write! You've saved me time, effort and dosh - I'm grateful.