[MrMCarpe]

Owned my 718 Base Cayman for a little over 1 month and have taken meticulous care when detailing on the weekends. Just starting to notice that the nice black brake calipers are already starting to fade. I've found posts in other forums about the calipers being anodized but can't seem to find any solutions to revive the color other than respraying. I use Chemical Guys soaps and wheel cleaners which are suppose to be very gentle, however, there is clear fading of the black color. Anyone else experiencing this?

 

[Porsche2018]

Owned my 718 Base Cayman for a little over 1 month and have taken meticulous care when detailing on the weekends. Just starting to notice that the nice black brake calipers are already starting to fade. I've found posts in other forums about the calipers being anodized but can't seem to find any solutions to revive the color other than respraying. I use Chemical Guys soaps and wheel cleaners which are suppose to be very gentle, however, there is clear fading of the black color. Anyone else experiencing this?

I will add my observations as a data point and wait to hear from other forum members with their experience. I have the "red" calipers but I have detailed my car very meticulously 17 times (every 10 to 14 days) using both Meguiar's Gold Class and Chemical Guys Honey Dew soaps but even more noteworthy is I use Meguiar's wheel brightener* which is an acid based wheel brightener with a 4 to 1 dilution. After spraying the rims, and a fair amount gets on the calipers, I let it sit for 45 seconds to a minute then vigorously agitate the rims/calipers with multiple wheel brushes. My point is I have cleaned the wheels vigorously, often, and with an acid based wheel brightener and I have not observed any fading..........In fact, to confirm that, I just went around my car with a high intensity flashlight.


*https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D14...402&sr=8-1&keywords=meguiars+wheel+brightener

 

[OldJedi]

My wife’s 718 Boxster seems to have the same appearance problem. I have not used any wheel sprays on the wheels or calipers. I use Meguiers car soap with a lug nut brush to get into and around the nooks and crannies of th caliper and remove the brake dust. They are almost 1 1/2 years old and have faded a little bit. They certainly look better when they are wet. I’m not sure if it is the heat from the brakes or the fact that since it is her daily driver, it is sun fade. The red gloss finish on “S” cars seem to do better against fading.

 

[Porsche2018]

My wife’s 718 Boxster seems to have the same appearance problem. I have not used any wheel sprays on the wheels or calipers. I use Meguiers car soap with a lug nut brush to get into and around the nooks and crannies of th caliper and remove the brake dust. They are almost 1 1/2 years old and have faded a little bit. They certainly look better when they are wet. I’m not sure if it is the heat from the brakes or the fact that since it is her daily driver, it is sun fade. The red gloss finish on “S” cars seem to do better against fading.

That's two cases now have you contacted your SA? I would see what feedback you get from your dealership because 1.5 years seems far to soon to see those kinds of changes.

 

[Sonny]

My 718 Boxster is 18 months old and I also feel the black brake calipers are fading. I have only used Zymol Car Wash and water on them so that should not be the cause of fading.

 

[Porsche2018]

You guys need to communicate with your dealerships and see what they say.......that should not be happening these cars are to new. Please post when you get an acceptable answer/resolution.

 

[Swdea]

You guys need to communicate with your dealerships and see what they say.......that should not be happening these cars are to new. Please post when you get an acceptable answer/resolution.

I can't speak for my Boxster since I just got it three days ago but I have a 2013 Panamera 4 and the black brake calipers faded on it.

 

[Porsche2018]

I am curious if anyone that has had their 718S for 1.5 years or more has observed that issue with the red calipers.

 

[RGM718]

I am not sure if there is any material difference in the treatment on Base calipers on the 718 vs earlier Cayman/Boxster. I can tell you that I had a 2014 Cayman 2.7L for 2 years and my 2016 Cayman 2.7L for going on 3 years and in both cases, the calipers do fade to a more grayish tone over time. I frequently wash my cars including wheels (just mild auto wash soap and soft brush/pad) no wheel cleaners, per se, and they both did the exact same thing. I will see if there is any difference later this year when I take delivery of my 718.

 

[RussellHodgson]

I am curious if anyone that has had their 718S for 1.5 years or more has observed that issue with the red calipers.

My 718 CS is about 14 months old and the red calipers haven't faded at all.

 

[Gutwrencher]

I am curious if anyone that has had their 718S for 1.5 years or more has observed that issue with the red calipers.

My 718 S has been in service for exactly 2 years and no noticeable fade on the red calipers.

 

[Porsche2018]

Then there may be a difference in the quality of the paint used on both the red and black calipers which affects the color (colour) stability. I will continue to monitor my red calipers but, as of yesterday, I have detailed the Porsche (wheels) 18 times without any observable changes.

 

[RGM718]

I am not sure but it seems to me that the black finish on Base calipers may not be paint or if it is, is comprised of some different type base than what is used for Red. The black calipers are more matte finish compared to the shiny, red of the S. And, the black tends to get a bit more dull or muted looking like charcoal over time. I have noticed that in both my 2014 and now 2016 calipers. The red on my 08 CS and Cayman R always had a more shiny finish from the start and remained that way.

 

[Viffermike]

I am not sure but it seems to me that the black finish on Base calipers may not be paint or if it is, is comprised of some different type base than what is used for Red. The black calipers are more matte finish compared to the shiny, red of the S. And, the black tends to get a bit more dull or muted looking like charcoal over time. I have noticed that in both my 2014 and now 2016 calipers. The red on my 08 CS and Cayman R always had a more shiny finish from the start and remained that way.

This. The black calipers are a matte finish. The colored calipers are a gloss finish -- which likely means either a protective clearcoat or some other type of protective layer.

Everyone here should realize that matte finish anything will not wear as well as a gloss simply because of the nature of the surface. It will show wear irregularities easier, will hold dust/dirt/grime easier (and shed the same less easy), and is more susceptible to environmental degradation such as the fading the OP notes. All of those things are big reasons why I'm such a huge proponent of gloss black wheels instead of matte black -- and why I laugh (and hope it's actually a wrap) every time I see one of those matte-painted cars go by.

 

[Chris NZ]

Would like to echo @RGM718 and @Viffermike's comments about the likely cause being the matte finish of the black calipers vs gloss on the red S calipers. As Viffermike says matte surfaces tend to 'weather' quicker than gloss surfaces primarily because it is easier for 'stuff' (think soap residues etc.) to attach to the surface and more difficult to get it off.

 

[Jeffvb9]

Would like to echo @RGM718 and @Viffermike's comments about the likely cause being the matte finish of the black calipers vs gloss on the red S calipers. As Viffermike says matte surfaces tend to 'weather' quicker than gloss surfaces primarily because it is easier for 'stuff' (think soap residues etc.) to attach to the surface and more difficult to get it off.

I just purchased a 2017 Cayman base and noticed this as well. Only 2500 miles and the calipers look like crap. I wash the wheels and calipers with Gold Class every time. Even with a matte finish the quality can still be there to hold up. I am taking my car in tomorrow for her first oil change and will discuss with the SA about this situation.

 

[Jeffvb9]

Just took my 918 Cayman into the dealer to have them look at the caliper fading. My car only has 2500 miles on it. He said he's never seen them do that. Asked was acidic solution I used on them. I told him I knew he was going to say that. Thats not the case as the very front of the calipers are black and the rest are faded. Why would that be if I used some acidic solution on it? They took pics and are sending it to Porsche to see what they say.

Others need to complain to their dealers and Porsche on this!

 

[Sails Call]

I will look at my calipers the next time I take the car out. I will keep an eye on this tread to see if Porsche helps people out on this fading.

 

[geemman]

I had my black calipers and rims coated with ceramic pro, and i do not see any fading or discoloring at all. I have had my car 13 months now with about 6,500 miles and they still look brand new

 

[Jeffvb9]

The interesting thing is my wife has a 2017 Macan with Black calipers.... They still look brand new after 20K miles. Not sure why my Cayman with 2500 miles looks so badly faded. The front plate of the caliper looks fine.....its the rest of it thats faded.... Very odd.