Plated Brake Rotors, Need Help....

**BoxsterCharlie** · 02-12-2004, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by bet993

MBZ500E, that is a good look.

Boxstercharlie,

Do you have the rust problem on your Boxster? I have never had this problem with the factory rotors from Porsche. They come prepainted and I have never had it rust, chip and/or flake off.

No I don`t. However, the factory look is a very dull and unfinished, and I`m envious of the nickel plating look. It doesn`t look "bling bling" but is the look of a component which you are supposed to see, not just a general undercarriage part look.

**imported_garyo** · 02-12-2004, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by BoxsterCharlie

No I don`t. However, the factory look is a very dull and unfinished, and I`m envious of the nickel plating look. It doesn`t look "bling bling" but is the look of a component which you are supposed to see, not just a general undercarriage part look.

Yeah but you have to love the factory calipers on a Porsche, especially the big reds.

**MBZ 500E** · 02-12-2004, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by BoxsterCharlie

No I don`t. However, the factory look is a very dull and unfinished, and I`m envious of the nickel plating look. It doesn`t look "bling bling" but is the look of a component which you are supposed to see, not just a general undercarriage part look.

Boxstercharlie,

First thanks for the compliments. If you ever decide you want to have your rotors plated and can`t find a local shop let me know. I can give you the information for my source and you can send them there, I`ll inspect them for you before they send them to you to make sure they look good.

**MBZ 500E** · 02-17-2004, 01:33 AM

Finally got around to getting my car cleaned up. Here`s a couple more shots of the wheels with new nickel plated rotors.

Front:

**MBZ 500E** · 02-17-2004, 01:36 AM

Here`s a shot of the rears, they actually stand out better due to the smaller diameter.

**Richt** · 02-17-2004, 05:19 AM

Have the brakes been used in the above pics?

**MBZ 500E** · 02-17-2004, 10:06 AM

Rich,

Yeah actually they have about 75 miles on them now. If you look carefully you can see that on the front rotors the swept area is just starting to wear away.

So far the plating is doing exactly what I wanted:

- I can now spray my detailing spray inside the wheels without being concerned with corrosion on the rotors.

- The rotors can be easily cleaned, the dust doesn`t seem to attract to the plating either.

When the brakes are finally worn in and I`ve taken the car out for a serious back road romping I`ll post more pics and review.

**Richt** · 02-17-2004, 10:08 AM

Nice one, i am hoping they will hold up well and making enquiries over here to get some done.

**MBZ 500E** · 03-17-2004, 09:33 PM

Well I`ve had a chance to put the nickel plate through it`s paces on my new rotors and I have to say I`m very pleased with their durability. So far I`ve done triple digit stops

, two high speed canyon runs and some regular driving totaling 500 miles. I`ve also cleaned the wheels and rotors with some wheel cleaner to determine if an agressive fluid would attack the plating. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Here`s a picture of the front rotors (note the pad area has finally worn away, took about 300 miles)

**MBZ 500E** · 03-17-2004, 09:36 PM

Anyone considering this option will not be disappointed, it`s everything I expected it would be and a bit more. What I`ve noticed is the Nickel Plate seems to be a non stick surface, water spots and dirt wipe away very easily.

Here`s a picture of the rear rotors (note the nickel plate hasn`t completely worn off of the wear surface):

**Richt** · 03-19-2004, 05:02 AM

Cool, i must get mine done.

**imported_pugoman** · 03-19-2004, 08:16 AM

Hi Rich...

Let me know where you can get this plating done in the UK... I`d be interested in getting it done on my 307.

How durable is the smooth Hammerite compared to proper brake caliper paint?

**Richt** · 03-19-2004, 08:30 AM

I will do.

I find it better to be honest looks wise and ease of application.

**audio1der** · 03-19-2004, 09:37 AM

I`m curious as to why you didn`t choose rotors that come cadmium plated from the manufacturer.

Perhaps they didn`t have an application for you?

(Brembo, Powerslot, etc.)

I recently installed Powerslot plated rotors on my car, and wow!:bounce :xyxthumbs

**MBZ 500E** · 03-19-2004, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by audio1der

I`m curious as to why you didn`t choose rotors that come cadmium plated from the manufacturer.

Perhaps they didn`t have an application for you?

(Brembo, Powerslot, etc.)

I recently installed Powerslot plated rotors on my car, and wow!:bounce :xyxthumbs

There are numerious manufacturers which make dedicated rotors for the 500E but you need to keep in mind that when trying to maintain an original car (concours reasons) different brakes are not acceptable.

When I started doing research on Nickel Plate and Cadmium plate, all of the plating shops that offered both recommended Nickel Plate for it`s durability and its ability to match a freshly machined finish. So far so good.