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New Member
About 17 or 18 months ago I posted pictures of the results a brake caliper overhaul for my W140. The calipers had been stripped clean, and then sprayed in a 'galvanizing' paint. This was recommended to me at the time by a local brake shop. I remained skeptical. I remember that at the time styria asked me what the product was, but I declined to recommend it because of my skepticism.
Anyhow, those calipers have been in use on my W140 since, during which time the car has done about 30 000km. I am happy to report that this galvanizing spray has held up perfectly. The caliers are easily cleaned with water and come up nearly as good as the day they were sprayed. There has been no chipping, flaking or lifting. The paint seems unaffected by the temperatures, and brake fluid.
So, I am now happy to recommend this spray. It is made by Orapi, who seem to have distributors world wide.
http://www.orapi.com/english/index.htm
The particular product I'm using is NZA-Brilliant (product # 706). This is intended as a touch-up for repairs to galvanised surfaces. This is what it looks like. It sprays on like a normal spray can paint, but it seems to be a fluidised zinc, so the contents of the can don't go as far as a normal paint can. It was not particularly expensive - about $12 per can.
They also make NZA-Mat (product # 650) which appears to be an even more heavy duty coating - but our local suppliers did not have it available. I think it would be my preference if I had the choice. The NZA-Mat also is specifically described as being a high-temperature coating.
Anyway, I used the NZA-Brilliant (as used on the W140 calipers) yesterday on calipers I am rebuilding for the 280SE (after they were sent to ultrasonics) :
Although the coating seems resistant to brake fluid, common sense suggests that one should avoid getting it on the internal parts of the caliper that will be exposed to brake fluid.
Another problem the 6.9-ers may be aware of, is the deterioration in appearance of the three fat hoses leading to the engine oil tank. The hoses originally have crimped collars in yellow zinc plating, and end fittings in silver zinc. The yellow zinc seems to hold up very well, but the silver zinc was all but gone from my hoses. I could not find a plating shop willing to replate the fittings whilst still attached to the rubber. I had the hoses cleaned at ultrasonics, and then trated the end fittings with this Orapi NZA-brilliant spray :
Not as ideal as actual zinc plating, but certainly better than noting or any conventional paint.
Anyhow, those calipers have been in use on my W140 since, during which time the car has done about 30 000km. I am happy to report that this galvanizing spray has held up perfectly. The caliers are easily cleaned with water and come up nearly as good as the day they were sprayed. There has been no chipping, flaking or lifting. The paint seems unaffected by the temperatures, and brake fluid.
So, I am now happy to recommend this spray. It is made by Orapi, who seem to have distributors world wide.
http://www.orapi.com/english/index.htm
The particular product I'm using is NZA-Brilliant (product # 706). This is intended as a touch-up for repairs to galvanised surfaces. This is what it looks like. It sprays on like a normal spray can paint, but it seems to be a fluidised zinc, so the contents of the can don't go as far as a normal paint can. It was not particularly expensive - about $12 per can.
They also make NZA-Mat (product # 650) which appears to be an even more heavy duty coating - but our local suppliers did not have it available. I think it would be my preference if I had the choice. The NZA-Mat also is specifically described as being a high-temperature coating.
Anyway, I used the NZA-Brilliant (as used on the W140 calipers) yesterday on calipers I am rebuilding for the 280SE (after they were sent to ultrasonics) :
Although the coating seems resistant to brake fluid, common sense suggests that one should avoid getting it on the internal parts of the caliper that will be exposed to brake fluid.
Another problem the 6.9-ers may be aware of, is the deterioration in appearance of the three fat hoses leading to the engine oil tank. The hoses originally have crimped collars in yellow zinc plating, and end fittings in silver zinc. The yellow zinc seems to hold up very well, but the silver zinc was all but gone from my hoses. I could not find a plating shop willing to replate the fittings whilst still attached to the rubber. I had the hoses cleaned at ultrasonics, and then trated the end fittings with this Orapi NZA-brilliant spray :
Not as ideal as actual zinc plating, but certainly better than noting or any conventional paint.
