Abstract: A process and apparatus for providing a piston travel indicator for a railroad brake includes coating the components of the brake assembly with a powder. The powder coating may include an epoxy, a polyester or combinations thereof. After the selected components of the railroad car brake assembly are sprayed with the powder, the components are heated in an oven for curing the powder to form a coating on the components. The coating may be applied in dual or multiple colors to the railroad car brake components. A piston travel indicator on the hollow rod is provided by coating the hollow rod of the piston with more than one color at specific intervals for enabling a person to visually observe the colors for determining the travel of the hollow rod and indicating if the brake is functioning properly.

Abstract: A process for improving the performance and extending the life of railroad brake assemblies includes coating the components of the brake assembly with a powder. The powder coating may include an epoxy, a polyester or combinations thereof. After the selected components of the railroad car brake assembly are sprayed with the powder, the components are heated in an oven for curing the powder to form a coating on the components. The components of the railroad car brake assembly which may be coated include a cylinder body, a lock plug, a push rod end, a piston body, and a release spring. The powder coating of the railroad car brake assembly reduces corrosion, reduces abrasion, maintains slippage due to reduced friction, and reduces the amount of repairs and replacement of the railroad car brakes.