caliper powder coating

I'm thinking of powder coating my brake calipers. I'll be removing the pistons and the seals, but not splitting the casting. Any concerns about the 350degree heat of the powder coating oven on the seal between the two halves? Thanks, Tom

[This message has been edited by troy (edited 08-04-2000).]

brake calipers get hot enough to boil moisture in the system and i have seen rotors turn blue on street cars, i would not be concerned about getting them hot but i would make sure to cool them slowly.

I asked the man who did some work for me on my window frames about powder coating my valve covers and brake parts and he seem to think no problem.

Do not forget that on many calipers there is a rubber "O" ring inbetween the two halves to seal the fluid going from one side to the other.

If you are going to keep the halves together during the coating, then open them up afterwards and put a new "O" ring in after they are done.

The heat they go through during braking is probably at least that hot but its not worth taking the chance.

I assume that you are not going to do the bores? The thickness of the coating would keep the pistons from going inside IMHO... I would stick an old set of pistons inside, coat the things then take it all apart afterwards and blow out the calipers and re-assemble with new rubber and they should outlast the life of the car!

JA

Can someone give me a brief explanation about how Powder coating works. From what I have been able to read it's some type of sprayed on ceramic or something that you have to bake to "cure". I have seen the kits that Eastwood sells and I have thought seriously about treating my fan,strap, engine mount and maybe some other trim and sheet metal pieces. The kit was only like $200. I'd love to here everybodys thoughts and opinions about this.

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Leland Pate

___79 SC Targa

Ironically I was just talking to my mechanic the other day about painting the fan to clean it up. Right away he said that he has seen different paints used and powder coating used on the fans and all seem to wear off after awhile. He said that the dust etc. in the air sandblasts the coatings off the fan blades and even around the housing. Needless to say I am still contemplating what I am going to do myself.

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Gunter
'82 SC Targa

Actually, the neatest fan-job I recall seeing is the one in Original Porsche 911 by Peter Morgan. There's a picture of an engine that had the fan and visible fittings polished to gleaming. The calipers I don't know from.

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Emanuel Brown
1983 911 SC Targa
http://home.att.net/~epbrown01/91183.jpg




[This message has been edited by epbrown (edited 08-05-2000).]

Hi All !

I have done a number of projects to my 911 and among them I painted the calipers and did a complete engine detailing.
You can see the engine detailing article at

:http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911tech_articles.htm

Look under - Engine Compartment Detailing

I pasted on the powder coating and used Hi-Temp red on the calipers and fan. I used the silver with a clear coat on the fan shroud.

I have the article on the calipers on my web site at :
http://member.rennlist.com/5150targa

The paint has not faded or chipped even under racing and wet conditions. Try it - if you don't like it all your out is a few bucks.

Good luck on your projects !

Tom Sharpes

The most important part for powder coating is the prep, usually sandblasting .

200 is pretty expensive for a kit that does a few pieces ,check with your local plating shops they can usually do a few pieces for under $50 including sandblasting

LeLand wanted to know a little more about the powdercoating process-it's a process where a plastic powder is infused with a slight positive charge, then blown (at low pressure) onto a part that has a slight negative charge-the charges attract the powder to the part, so very little is wasted as overspray, and coverage is excellent, even in nooks and crannies. After the part is coated with the plastic powder, it's placed in an oven to cure at about 400 F for a few minutes-the high heat forces the plastic powder to change to a semi-liquid state, and flow evenly over the part, and partly bond with it, as well. After the parts have cooled, the finish is extremely resistant to chemicals, chipping, and scratching-perfect for automobiles. It's more expensive than paint, BUT-it'll last a HELL of a lot longer, and always look good, plus it protects the part, as well. I used the process on my 912's calipers, and now don't have to worry about spilled brake fluid, or heat from the brakes ruining the finish. My next project will employ the process on almost everything chassis-related-I like it that much.