PMB Performance Turnaround Time Question

[Marine Blue]

I’m hoping to get some feedback from others that have sent out calipers to PMB Performance for rebuild. How long did it take to rebuild/restore the calipers and what work did you have done?

For reference I sent out my front calipers which arrived on June 14. I requested a complete restoration and rebuild as needed. Upon receipt they said the internal pucks were perfect so only seals were needed and they would perform the cosmetic restoration which required anodizing and clear coat. It’s been just shy of 8 weeks and I don’t have them back yet. Seems kinda long to me but I know labor shortages are slowing everyone down.

Curious what others have experienced. I was hoping to have the car on the road for mid August to take it to a local show but that’s not looking promising.

Shot of the calipers that were sent for reference:

[1979-930]

It's been three or four years since mine were restored. I think it was around 3 months. Definitely not 2.

[Nditiz1]

I would call them up. I believe they just moved into a new shop so there was probably a delay in all orders due to the move.

[digitaldgp]

Mine took a little over 6 weeks, back in 2019.

[Danimal16]

PMB's new facility is a huge step up. Give them a call, they are responsive.

[mb911]

Give them a call. Just sent some goodies to him yesterday for the the red rocks classic and talked yesterday. They are busy no doubt but call.

[Marine Blue]

Ok so the timing seems to be inline with what others have experienced, that is what I was primarily trying to establish.

Ironically I just got an update today shortly after this post, anodizing didn’t meet their expectations and needs to be redone. I agreed after seeing the pictures so they’re going to have them redone before rebuilding.

I guess I’m just having a hard time managing my air cooled withdrawals. I’ll have to bring my Spyder to the show later this month, I don’t want to rush this.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Can you post the pics?

[Marine Blue]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Can you post the pics?

It looks like the plater didn’t do a great job with the prep, you can see the areas where the aluminum is showing through. Also looks a bit flakey which doesn’t inspire confidence.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thanks. Where you see silver, that's original anodizing. The calipers weren't fully stripped of anodizing before being done again.

[Marine Blue]

Thanks for that feedback, Shaun.

[jjeffries]

Calipers: such incredibly easy components to overhaul for functionality. Granted, it’s the cosmetics, ie tumbling and plating you’re really paying for - and that does require specialist gear - but having your car down for 2-3 months?

John

[Cairo94507]

Eric is a perfectionist. I am not the least surprised they caught the anodizing problem and sent them back to have them re-done. They have done a couple of sets of calipers for me and they typically are a 3-month turnaround. Worth the wait as the finished product looks perfect.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Please post some pics when these are done. If the bores are perfect, there's no need to strip and re-anodize. Every time you do, the aluminum surface can be compromised. So if the bores are fine, I expect PMB will just paint them.

[Marine Blue]

I’m pretty sure they’re going to get sent out to be redone with black anodize as my goal is to get them back to factory finish. I should know more in the next few days once the plating shop gets them back. Hopefully it doesn’t take as long.

Shaun those calipers look stunning, do you offer caliper restoration services? I didn’t see anything noted on your website when I had checked.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thank, yes I do restore calipers. Yours were originally painted when new. They are anodized for the bores. Only S, early Turbo and 78+ Turbo were factory anodized. The S and early Turbo were anodized and then received a dichromate seal.

You can see the factory paint chipped away here and there on your original pic. I use Cerakote vs. high temp paint.

Few pics




















In black with stickers applied




First coat of clear





I only use cadmium for plating steel calipers. It has much better corrosion and heat resistance than original zinc.

[Marine Blue]

Well I wish I knew, those are some stunning restorations.

My understanding is that the calipers on the very early 964’s were anodized and then clear coated. The chips on my calipers in my first pic is the clear coat failing. But again I’m no expert and I’m only regurgitating what I was told. Apparently they started painting them mid year 1990 and applying a white stencil for the lettering. The rear calipers also changed mid year.

[Jeff Alton]

Have you considered a local Porsche specialist? Turnaround time is not what I would be worried about, quality is what I would be concerned with....

Cheers

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Marine Blue

Well I wish I knew, those are some stunning restorations.

My understanding is that the calipers on the very early 964’s were anodized and then clear coated. The chips on my calipers in my first pic is the clear coat failing. But again I’m no expert and I’m only regurgitating what I was told. Apparently they started painting them mid year 1990 and applying a white stencil for the lettering. The rear calipers also changed mid year.

That is an interesting little nugget of Porsche information. There's no reason your calipers shouldn't be as black as the Turbo calipers above.

[Cairo94507]

Very nice work Shaun.