Caliper restoration

[iloveredmeat]

Calipers and Cylinders were all originally plated.

Thanks Costine...

And sorry, but that makes for a couple of follow-up questions...

I'm assuming the calipers and cylinders were plated the same color. Is that true?

And the 3 green/grey cylinders I show in that photo... my understanding is that they're the "old style"... is that the plating you're referring to?

I thought that was just a primer, but maybe not.

If those 3 cylinders are original and correct, then that's the finish and color I'll try to mimic on the calipers.

Thanks a lot, I know zero about these and enjoy learning.
Peter

[C.Costine]

Calipers and Cylinders were all originally plated.

Thanks Costine...

And sorry, but that makes for a couple of follow-up questions...

I'm assuming the calipers and cylinders were plated the same color. Is that true?

And the 3 green/grey cylinders I show in that photo... my understanding is that they're the "old style"... is that the plating you're referring to?

I thought that was just a primer, but maybe not.

If those 3 cylinders are original and correct, then that's the finish and color I'll try to mimic on the calipers.

Thanks a lot, I know zero about these and enjoy learning.
Peter

I am no expert on plating but I know that there are different types and that there will be variations in the raw materials that the plating is made from, and that the color of the substrate will affect the finished shade. The manufacturer that I work for despite their best efforts can't prevent small variations in product colors due to variations in the raw materials. I expect that over the years of production and in the years since production that there has been substantial variations in shades of the colors, and that if you had two new 311s up on lifts at a dealer in 1969 that you could have had differences between the two and perhaps even side to side. Since it is impossible to determine original in this situation I would choose a caliper paint that I like and go with it. Since it is currently the "style" to have "eye catching" paint on your calipers, that is what I decided to do. Kind of along the same idea as my red dash lights. BE BOLD!!!

[iloveredmeat]

Calipers and Cylinders were all originally plated.

Thanks Costine...

And sorry, but that makes for a couple of follow-up questions...

I'm assuming the calipers and cylinders were plated the same color. Is that true?

And the 3 green/grey cylinders I show in that photo... my understanding is that they're the "old style"... is that the plating you're referring to?

I thought that was just a primer, but maybe not.

If those 3 cylinders are original and correct, then that's the finish and color I'll try to mimic on the calipers.

Thanks a lot, I know zero about these and enjoy learning.
Peter

I am no expert on plating but I know that there are different types and that there will be variations in the raw materials that the plating is made from, and that the color of the substrate will affect the finished shade. The manufacturer that I work for despite their best efforts can't prevent small variations in product colors due to variations in the raw materials. I expect that over the years of production and in the years since production that there has been substantial variations in shades of the colors, and that if you had two new 311s up on lifts at a dealer in 1969 that you could have had differences between the two and perhaps even side to side. Since it is impossible to determine original in this situation I would choose a caliper paint that I like and go with it. Since it is currently the "style" to have "eye catching" paint on your calipers, that is what I decided to do. Kind of along the same idea as my red dash lights. BE BOLD!!!

Love it.

I think I will try the Nissan Engine Blue... not very flashy, but a little different and stylish... and I'm nothing if not stylish.

Thanks again, I'll post results in my restoration thread.
Peter