Mercedes W109/108 Zinc Plating Front Brake Calipers.

[@jimdonnelly5727]

Wow! Those parts look professionally refinished

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you Jim. Its nice to be able to do it yourself, also less risk of things getting lost in the process of putting them out to an outside source. Cheers John.

[@tobybrown1179]

I like the idea of the buckets cut into the bench, nice one

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you. It works really well. Cheers John.

[@kylewillcocks6118]

If you place the steel anti rattle shim into the piston gently before installation you will see the flat of the shim faces down and the notch In the top of the shim is for the anti rattle spring at the top. Line it all up mark the piston and caliper. Remove the shim and the install the piston I find it easier to fit the dust boots afterwards once both pistons are in. Use a little compressed air to push both pistons out half way and then fit the seals. Awesome work with the coating!

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thanks for the tips!! Cheers John

[@qivarebil2149]

You can see the orientation of the slot in the piston at 2:40 👍

[@tjolle62]

Best video on this matter ever ! so thank you man ...

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you. Once you have the set up, its really very satisfying and straightforward. Because of the amount I have to do it saves me a lot of money and time. Cheers John.

[@Johnsormani]

Great result!

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you! Cheers John.

[@netautorisationnetautorisa545]

*LOOKING GOOD ....*

[@certainsomething3714]

Outstanding.

[@igoriakoven3665]

Good on ya ,Thanks !

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you. Cheers John.

[@catuck1975]

Excellent! Thanks for posting this. I've been having trouble plating my 911 calipers, and from your process it looks like I didn't keep them it the hcl long enough to strip, and didn't rotate enough in the bath. Wish me luck, trying again tonight! FYI, for the 911, there is a special tool to rotate the pistons correctly for anti-squeal - can be cut from cardboard. Maybe the same for yours (though I expect you've figured that by now).

[@shed911cookiesgarage2]

very impressive

[@sebastiandasilva4750]

It turn out great, regards !!

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you. Pulled the rear calipers today. I don't think they are savable. Very rusted and I think seized:(

[@arthagner4235]

Hi great job and very well explained. I’m in the midst of doing a 280sl and being in Canada having trouble finding part numbers to be able to order stuff. Who do you use for a supplier? Thanks

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Hi Thanks for your comments. I bought the kit from caswell plating supplies. Here is the link to the site. All the best John. caswellplating.com/electroplating-anodizing/zinc-plating-kits.html

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

It comes with a comprehensive guide to get you started. Good luck.

[@kartingpt]

Thank you for the video, how do you handle the bores? I'm struggling to get any plating on those inner surfaces

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

You're welcome. If you're referring to the inside surfaces of the caliper. Try rotating them periodically during the plating. That way it gives even coverage. I'm assuming you have two zinc plates in the bath? Also it's very important to get them as clean as possible also a good soak in the degrease bath. Hope this helps. Cheers John.

[@nightfall4693]

Sir how you make the Zinc Bath.I from Aisa so i have to use alot of DIY stuff and result are pretty much good but i trying to improve some results.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Hi. I purchased the kit from a company called Caswell plating. Its a great easy to use setup. Here's a link. caswellplating.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorvecpAKPXrC-Z54F2JUpc1TyV9N-elHMXcYgqLrleFNvH_H-b8 Good luck. Cheers John 🍻

[@MrYOTOSTAR]

Very cool, that you even do this kind of work on your own. Is it hard to get the necessary chemicals?

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

The chemicals are readily available. The system is very easy to use once set up. I bought the 3 gallon setup. Here's a link. Very helpful technical advice. "Caswell Inc" caswellplating.com Thanks for you comment. Cheers John.

[@melvinthemechanic]

Whats the solutions you use Is it just water buckets and yellow cromate?

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Hi. I bought the whole system from Caswell. Really straight forward set up. I recently did a bunch more, its a real money saver. Plus no risk of things getting parts lost at a shop. Cheers John.

[@tjolle62]

Great job on the calipers ! what was the average voltage and amp's you use and time on those ? Best Mercedes regards from Sweden .

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you. I was around 5 amps for approx 20 minutes from memory. You have to work out the surface area then multiply by 0.14 to get the amperage.

[@tjolle62]

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 OK got'it !! thanks 👍

[@gkitch6755]

What pickeling acid do you use before adding yellow

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

First is Muratic acid. Really nasty stuff. Then thoroughly cleaned. Wire brush etc. Then decrease bath, zinc bath, then yellow final finish. Between each stage a rinse. Cheers John 🍻

[@pattygq]

How's the Caswell yellow chromate holding up?

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Looks great, but to be fair the only real test will be on the car when its back on the road. I just got some blue chromate to do the door latches.

[@pattygq]

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 That's true. I have all the chemicals to do the zinc plating, yellow, blue, and black. Probably going to start it tomorrow. Do you have any video's setting up the kit?

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

@@pattygq I haven't made a set up video, but if you have any questions I'd be happy to help. Just let me know. Cheers John🍻

[@pattygq]

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 hey John thanks. Did you buy the blue chromate from them? If so what mixing ratio did you use? I see differing amounts on their website but the manual and print on the actual bottle are the same. Like all other projects I tend to start them in the middle of the night. 🙃

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

@@pattygq I did. I haven't done the blue yet. The ratio is different. You need 1 quart to 1 gallon. Its a little more expensive than the Yellow. I hope to do a video soon on it, door strike plates etc. Cheers John🍻

[@larsgunnarsson3592]

Hi John, I try agan regarding the lower control arm kit. Here are a shop with the kit in stock. They are one of the leading supplier for Pagoda owners. Great work as always! / Lars www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/mercedes-230-280sl-w113-/33-front-suspension/control-arm-rep-kit-lower-outer-febi-p-900

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank You Lars so much for sending me the link, much appreciated. Cheers John..