Wilwood Brake discoloration

[Architect]

Installed Wilwood FRONT brakes in June 2010... they were an improvement, but not as much as I had hoped for...but worth every penny..
The TCE Hat/Rotor assembly has discolored... the center black portion is now kind of a bluish/purple color. It appears to have been anodized originally. Has anyone refinished these? OR replaced the center portion with new black units...this is purely an esthetic thing...just drive me nuts...
and I'd like to replace the bolts with new one too and/or Stainless steel, if available...
Thanks, Architect

[lifespeed]

Pretty normal for anodizing that gets really hot. My TCE/Wilwood setup black anodizing is fading to a dark purple as well on both the calipers and hats. I wouldn't worry about it. If it drives you nuts you can have it re-anodized or buy new ones, but the same thing will happen eventually.

If that is the biggest concern you have with your Marauder you are doing very well!

As far as being disappointed in the stopping power, does that mean you just have 13" fronts and stock rear? I have the 14"/13" setup and the stopping power is very impressive. Hauls this 4200 lb. juggernaut down from speed no problem.

[fastblackmerc]

I have the 13" kit on the front, stock rear rotors, pads & calipers........ mine stops on a dime and gives you $0.09 change!

[Architect]

Pretty normal for anodizing that gets really hot. My TCE/Wilwood setup black anodizing is fading to a dark purple as well on both the calipers and hats. I wouldn't worry about it. If it drives you nuts you can have it re-anodized or buy new ones, but the same thing will happen eventually.

If that is the biggest concern you have with your Marauder you are doing very well!

As far as being disappointed in the stopping power, does that mean you just have 13" fronts and stock rear? I have the 14"/13" setup and the stopping power is very impressive. Hauls this 4200 lb. juggernaut down from speed no problem.

14 front and stock rear...

[guspech750]

Installed Wilwood FRONT brakes in June 2010... they were an improvement, but not as much as I had hoped for...but worth every penny..

Take your Merc to a race track with repeated hard braking and acceleration and more hard braking before each turn. I assure you, you will not be disappointed and will realize the full potential of the kits. That is how I came to really appreciate the kit.

Mine have discolored a little. Pretty normal for anodizing aluminum. Doesn't bother me a bit.

Have them powder coated black just not on the mounting surface.



Sent from The White House on taxpayers dimes.

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[lifespeed]

Take your Merc to a race track with repeated hard braking and acceleration and more hard braking before each turn. I assure you, you will not be disappointed and will realize the full potential of the kits. That is how I came to really appreciate the kit.

The BP20 pad compound does need some heat to work at peak performance. They'll still stop when cold, just requires more pedal effort.

[Architect]

Thanks for all the good suggestions ... I'm just too picky about how it looks...
Thanks again, Architect

[Todd TCE]

Discoloration from heat and UV are common on black anodizing. I've searched low and high for alternatives here in the Phoenix area and have yet to find a good alternative. Wilwood factory hats are now done in black E-coat, a paint process. This process is actually a bit less durable for scratches but doesn't fade and better matches the many now powder coated calipers. Sadly there is no shop here that offers this. The closest I experimented with was a shop that coats guns but oddly I found the finish not as durable as I'd hoped.

The black ano can be painted or even powder coated if you really want. But ideally they should be lightly blasted and the interface taped where it bolts to the rotor. A lot of work there...some BBQ black paint might be much easier and less expensive.

For anyone looking to really 'wake up' your daily performance of the brakes I'd sugget you consider the D or E pad compounds vs the 10s or 20s. Both will over more immediate gratification.