I just received my new VB&P calipers and would like to powder coat them. Should I disassemble them to the point of removing the piston to save the o-ring during curing? Any secrets, suggestions or advice will be helpful.

 

Are you powder coating them yourself? Or are you sending them out?

A friend of mine used to own a powder coating factory up in Patterson NJ and he took me for a tour one day... to properly powder coat anything it must be perfectly clean and prepped correctly. Any fluid residue will prevent you from doing a good job. The calipers have two "seals"... the outer dust boot, and the inner "o-ring" (which is not really an o-ring). In addition, there is a small o-ring between the caliper halves where the fluid crosses over. If you disassemble the halves, it is very difficult to do so without ruining the outer dust boot, but it can be done. I don't know what the do-it-yourself kit consists of, but an industrial powder coat process relies on the parts being perfectly clean. The cleaning step is actually the most involved part of the process. With the dust boots intact, I'm not sure if you can properly prep the metal. At the very least, you will not get powder coating in the dust boot recess which is usually a problem area on these calipers. If I were powder coating my own, I would completely disassemble them and just avoid getting powder coat in the bores (install plugs). The only issue would be re-using the dust boots ( outer seals). To re-use these boots on my own vehicles (not my customers) I use a WELL worn & rounded flat blade screw driver to gently pry under the metal ring of the dust boot... working my way around the perimeter as much as the casting permits. The blade is positioned just under the metal ring enough to get a grip, but not so far as to puncture the boot. Since the blade will be putting pressure directly on the rubber (attached to the metal ring), you have to be careful and use only slight pressure while slowly working your way around the boot. After you remove each boot, hold it up to the light and spread it out as taut as possible to see if you punctured it. If so, you will need to buy a whole kit to replace the dust boot. When installing the outer dust seals I coat the seal recess in the caliper half with RTV to aid in retention and water resistance. Re-installing the internal "o-rings" can be tricky as well... another tiny well-rounded screwdriver will aid in slipping the o-rings & pistons back into their bores.

Tom

 

Thanks Tom,
I'm going to do them myself and wasn't sure of the durability of the seals. I'll do as you recommend and completely disassemble them and have a go at it. I'll be sure to clean them as thoroughly as possible.
Thanks,
David