what color are original brake calipers?

[Trakrat]

I am going to have to restore my brake hardware and was wondering if the calipers were originally zinc plated, silver painted, or perhaps both (front zinc, rear silver)???


Let me know what they should be on my year so that I can restore them correctly.

Thanks!

[clarkd]

No expert, but I think they are zinc plated and yellow chromate washed to give them a "goldish" color. There is a video on the PMB Performance site of their restoration process.

[MARISOL78sc]

+1 for PMB the restored mine


For the last 15 years PMB Performance has been rebuilding vintage brake calipers, using OEM finish techniques and factory seals to restore them to like-new condition. From factory 917, 908 and 911R race cars to daily driver 356's, 308's, 914's and Alfa Spiders, we've done them all.

We are the "only" brake caliper restoration facility that uses factory finish techniques exclusively. No cheap aftermarket poly coatings, just zinc plated steel and anodized aluminum. It is the worn zinc plating and the anodizing in the piston bore that causes 99% of all caliper failures. Our strict adherence to finish both "inside and out" make us the only caliper restoration facility in the world that can offer an astounding 10-year warranty on our products.

This is why we say "We don't just rebuild brakes... we restore them". Whether you plan to compete in an important Concours d'Elegance or you simply want the best for your vintage Porsche, Lamborghini, Alfa or Ferrari, we can get you back on the road.

[Trakrat]

Thanks... just to make sure... is this the same PMB located in Utah??

[MARISOL78sc]

Correct

[speedster911]

Originally Posted by MARISOL78sc

+1 for PMB the restored mine


For the last 15 years PMB Performance has been rebuilding vintage brake calipers, using OEM finish techniques and factory seals to restore them to like-new condition. From factory 917, 908 and 911R race cars to daily driver 356's, 308's, 914's and Alfa Spiders, we've done them all.

We are the "only" brake caliper restoration facility that uses factory finish techniques exclusively. No cheap aftermarket poly coatings, just zinc plated steel and anodized aluminum. It is the worn zinc plating and the anodizing in the piston bore that causes 99% of all caliper failures. Our strict adherence to finish both "inside and out" make us the only caliper restoration facility in the world that can offer an astounding 10-year warranty on our products.

This is why we say "We don't just rebuild brakes... we restore them". Whether you plan to compete in an important Concours d'Elegance or you simply want the best for your vintage Porsche, Lamborghini, Alfa or Ferrari, we can get you back on the road.

What is typical turn around to get a set of 4 calipers restored?

Best way to send - USPS flat rate box?

I am 30 -60 days out but trying to plan

Thanks

[Cevan]

I just bought the rears for mine. Got them from our host. Delivered to Mass in about 10 days. They are beautiful.

[Jesse16]

I got a complete set (from PMB) for my 87 this past winter in less than a week and just sent mine back as cores. You can jam them into two flat rate boxes as I remember maybe, they tell you all that when ordering. Lots of warnings about bagging them to prevent brake fluid leakage. If you want your calipers rebuilt and returned it takes longer. Their web-site is very informative. They do look nice through the wheels !
FYI, the rears calipers come with the "good" seals, not the difficult to install ones there are lots of discussions on here.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I just looked at 2 sets of original Carrera front calipers and they are clear zinc. Early calipers were definitely yellow zinc. Because clear zinc is blue these days, I would do them in clear cadmium though it's more of a white silver than the grey silver of zinc.

'65 275 GTB which was originally clear cadmium





69 in yellow zinc. Hardware is black zinc phosphate

[jamesjedi]

PMB process;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxN_iFv3CB4

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by speedster911

What is typical turn around to get a set of 4 calipers restored?

Best way to send - USPS flat rate box?

I am 30 -60 days out but trying to plan

Thanks

They keep them on the shelf and offer them core exchange basis like a tranny or engine shop. If you are set on them building your exact calipers it's usually a couple of weeks. Most people don't do that unless it's a 930 or something special.

Yes, flat rate box. That's what they will ship them back in as well.

[speedster911]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

They keep them on the shelf and offer them core exchange basis like a tranny or engine shop. If you are set on them building your exact calipers it's usually a couple of weeks. Most people don't do that unless it's a 930 or something special.

Yes, flat rate box. That's what they will ship them back in as well.

Matt,

You know we all think our cars are special

Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge.

[mepstein]

I’ve decided be at least a dozen sets through PMB. 100% satisfied every time.

[Ryan H]

We just restored a set for our SEMA build. Went with yellow zinc.