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Biggred caliper refurbishing
DRCorsa - 14/1/12 at 12:43 PM

I plan to send my rear Sierra calipers to Biggred to refurbish them.
I cannot afford the polymer optios though as it gets too expensive IMO at 150pounds!
So, i will opt for the standard option which is cheaper at 89pounds.
Do you think that the quality of the standard option coating is good enough? Any experience that may be helpful?

big_wasa - 14/1/12 at 12:53 PM

Its the same standard as new, I painted mine up with caliper enamel.

tegwin - 14/1/12 at 01:01 PM

I used bigred for my TVR calipers. Decided to go for the cheapest finish option..... regretted it! After a few months sat in my slightly damp garage they started to look pooh again..

Would seriously highly recomend getting the full polymer coating done....

DRCorsa - 14/1/12 at 01:05 PM

Any other cheaper service around?
150 is insane i think..

Chippy - 14/1/12 at 05:00 PM

Go with the cheaper option, then buy a tin of caliper paint, colour of your choise, and paint them, its what I did and after six years still in good condition. HTH Ray

Neville Jones - 14/1/12 at 05:52 PM

Polymer coating=powder coating. Couple of quid at best.

Good phosphate primer a good enamel gloss will do the job, won't chip and peel after 12 months either.

Cheers,
Nev.

rusty nuts - 14/1/12 at 06:00 PM

Might be worth getting a price for your calipers from your local motor factors, could well be a bit cheaper if you can get a trade discount

dinosaurjuice - 14/1/12 at 06:34 PM

I refurbed mine myself with new pistons and seals, cleaned the halves up (dishwasher helps) and re-powdercoated in a few evenings. saved over £60 and avoided reality TV for a few nights.

DRCorsa - 14/1/12 at 06:48 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dinosaurjuice
I refurbed mine myself with new pistons and seals, cleaned the halves up (dishwasher helps) and re-powdercoated in a few evenings. saved over £60 and avoided reality TV for a few nights.


This is a good option as i have the powdercoating equipment but what puts me off is the need to strip the metal completely prior applying the powder. The other thing is the cost of the rebuild kit including pistons. Do you remember the price?
Reality TV is to be avoided anyway..

[Edited on 14/1/12 by DRCorsa]

dhutch - 14/1/12 at 07:43 PM

I went for the cheapest 'holding paint' and then painted over them in por15 before fitting.
- Should have given them a second coat, but 18months later there only just coming through with odd spots. Atleast its repairable.

What i did do however is go for stainless pistons, which people said was sensible on a seasonally/lightly used car.


Daniel

dinosaurjuice - 15/1/12 at 05:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DRCorsa
quote:
Originally posted by dinosaurjuice
I refurbed mine myself with new pistons and seals, cleaned the halves up (dishwasher helps) and re-powdercoated in a few evenings. saved over £60 and avoided reality TV for a few nights.


This is a good option as i have the powdercoating equipment but what puts me off is the need to strip the metal completely prior applying the powder. The other thing is the cost of the rebuild kit including pistons. Do you remember the price?
Reality TV is to be avoided anyway..

[Edited on 14/1/12 by DRCorsa]

I started off with a 'cup' wire brush on angle grinder, then used a various smaller wire brushes around the intricate bits, staying well away from the seal areas. then gunk and dishwasher to degrease etc.

got ALL the parts off ebay, cost about £100 including a set of new discs and pads.