Refinishing st60/40s

[shimmy23]

I picked up a used set of ST60/40 BBKs. They appear to be in great mechanical condition, but the powdercoating has seen better days. Here's my question:

If I get these powdercoated, do I need to completely disassemble the calipers? I know the seals, boots, pistons, bleed screws, crossover tubes will need to be removed, but will I need to additionally remove the body bolts (bolts the physically attach the caliper halves)?

I'm thinking I'll just leave those? I don't see a need to remove them.

furthermore... does ST still offer their caliper rebuild program? Anyone ever do that?

[SpartaEvolution]

If you were rattle canning them in your backyard that'd probably be fine, but if you're going to pay to have the calipers professionally powder coated, you may as well do it right. If you don't disassemble the halves, you'll have to PC the head of the bolts making them harder to remove should you ever need to disassemble the caliper, and doing so would ruin the PC around the bolt holes anyways. Leaving them assembled will also likely lead to bubbling between the two halves as the PC will try to adhere to both sides.

[shimmy23]

^ thanks man! this is getting to be a bit involved and i really don't have a lot of free time these days. i'll have to give this some thought

[SpartaEvolution]

shimmy23 I've never taken a ST40/60 kit apart personally so I can't make any guarantees, but the hard part of rebuilding most calipers is getting the pistons and piston seals out. Once that's done, separating the halves is just a matter of popping out a few bolts.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by SpartaEvolution

shimmy23 I've never taken a ST40/60 kit apart personally so I can't make any guarantees, but the hard part of rebuilding most calipers is getting the pistons and piston seals out. Once that's done, separating the halves is just a matter of popping out a few bolts.

My powdercoater doesn't seem to think the caliper bolts will be an issue. He's done countless stoptechs and says its better to leave the bolts in and not separate the halves.

[SpartaEvolution]

I guess they are totally hidden once the kit is installed, and it will prevent any mating issues between the two halves, and maybe makes masking easier? Either way, good to know!

[bigjae1976]

Don't remove the caliper bolts unless its a show car garage queen hard parker (then why get stoptechs but that's a different issue).

[Chuck's M3]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Don't remove the caliper bolts unless its show car garage queen hard parker (then why get stoptechs but that's a different issue).

Haha, you just sold him with that remark!
I mean, this doesnt help.
Good luck with your decision Brandon!

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Chuck's M3

Haha, you just sold him with that remark!
I mean, this doesnt help.
Good luck with your decision Brandon!

Haha...

Stoptech told me that you should be careful to protect the orifices when you sand blast. You'll definitely want to remove the pistons and cover the holes. You might want to leave the bleeder screws and crossover tube in so you don't beat up those threads.

The first time, my powdercoater removed the crossover tube and it ended up leaking. Got a new caliper and then just left the crossover tube. It doesn't look as good but I'm not too worried about it. Again, I would blast with something in those holes. Maybe use bleeder screws in all 4 orifices and then toss them afterwards.

If you want to go that route, I think I have some old bleeders laying around somewhere.