Painting aluminum radiators?

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    Author Topic: Painting aluminum radiators?  (Read 3359 times)

    Offline Road_Runner

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    Painting aluminum radiators?
    « on: October 22, 2015 - 04:09:02 PM »
    So has anyone here painted their aluminum radiator black to look more stock?  If so, what did you use and how well did it hold up, etc.?  I'm checking into getting a new radiator for the Roadrunner and wondering if there's a cheaper alternative to having one powder coated from the manufacturer.  Thanks in advance.

    Jim
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    Offline Cudakiller70

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #1 on: October 22, 2015 - 04:11:16 PM »
     :popcorn: curious on this too
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    Offline cudabob496

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #2 on: October 22, 2015 - 05:04:43 PM »
    would think powder coating would hinder heat transfer
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    Offline cudabob496

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #3 on: October 22, 2015 - 05:06:29 PM »
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    72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

    1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

    2011 Kawasaki Z1000

    Offline Cudakiller70

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #4 on: October 22, 2015 - 05:24:17 PM »
    hey look what i found
    http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-radiator-black-paint.html
    Standard engine paints are too thick for radiator use because they can interfere with heat transfer and block air flow between the cooling fins. Also, standard paint tends to flake off radiator tanks. Radiator Black helps solve this problem. Durable Enamel formulation resists temperatures up to 300ºF, gas and chipping. One can covers 6 square feet (most radiators require 2 cans). Net wt. 12 oz. Radiator Black Satin - Many have asked for a lower sheen radiator black. The lower satin sheen resembles the gloss level of modern plastic tank radiators and some imports.
    Thanks cudabob496 for prompting me to go look, I can be my own worst enemy sometimes.  :eek4:
    « Last Edit: October 22, 2015 - 05:33:48 PM by Cudakiller70 »
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    Offline Road_Runner

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #5 on: October 22, 2015 - 08:04:24 PM »
    Quote from: cudabob496 on October 22, 2015 - 05:04:43 PM
    would think powder coating would hinder heat transfer

    Read your link, so I wonder how different a light coat of radiator paint would be to a light powder coating?
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    Offline Road_Runner

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #6 on: October 22, 2015 - 08:07:41 PM »
    Quote from: Cudakiller70 on October 22, 2015 - 05:24:17 PM
    hey look what i found
    http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-radiator-black-paint.html
    Standard engine paints are too thick for radiator use because they can interfere with heat transfer and block air flow between the cooling fins. Also, standard paint tends to flake off radiator tanks. Radiator Black helps solve this problem. Durable Enamel formulation resists temperatures up to 300ºF, gas and chipping. One can covers 6 square feet (most radiators require 2 cans). Net wt. 12 oz. Radiator Black Satin - Many have asked for a lower sheen radiator black. The lower satin sheen resembles the gloss level of modern plastic tank radiators and some imports.
    Thanks cudabob496 for prompting me to go look, I can be my own worst enemy sometimes.  :eek4:


    Bookmarked, thanks!
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    1970 383 Roadrunner Tor Red
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    2014 Mustang GT/CS Convertible All Black

    Offline jimynick

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #7 on: October 22, 2015 - 09:17:25 PM »
    One of my grandfathers had a rad shop when I was a kid and my job was to spray the rad when it came out of the tank and had been repaired- the paint was as thin as pee and it was only applied until you got coverage. The bonus, using paint, was that it helped protect the metal as well as make it look better and radiate better. I'd squirt-bottle some aluminum metal prep on, wash it off, blow it dry and use an aluminum friendly paint. Have fun.  :cheers:
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    Offline Cudakiller70

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #8 on: October 22, 2015 - 11:47:29 PM »
    Quote from: jimynick on October 22, 2015 - 09:17:25 PM
    One of my grandfathers had a rad shop when I was a kid and my job was to spray the rad when it came out of the tank and had been repaired- the paint was as thin as pee and it was only applied until you got coverage. The bonus, using paint, was that it helped protect the metal as well as make it look better and radiate better. I'd squirt-bottle some aluminum metal prep on, wash it off, blow it dry and use an aluminum friendly paint. Have fun.  :cheers:
    Good thinking, that would work too. Thanks  :)
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    Offline 4Cruizn

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #9 on: October 24, 2015 - 11:53:20 AM »
    I have painted the front of the aluminum radiator in the hardtop as with a black car, it stuck out looking at the front.  I researched it prior and made sure I got the paint that was designed for radiators and it turned out good with no issues cooling.  Local auto parts store had the paint in stock and less than $10 bucks for a rattle can . . . .

     :2thumbs:
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    Offline Cudakiller70

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #10 on: October 24, 2015 - 04:23:36 PM »
    Wonder if BBQ grille paint would work?    Oh no now I'm hungry.  ;)
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    Auto spell I'm tired of your shirt
    The above is just my opinion
    Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
    John Adams

    Offline Road_Runner

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #11 on: October 24, 2015 - 10:00:36 PM »
    Quote from: jimynick on October 22, 2015 - 09:17:25 PM
    One of my grandfathers had a rad shop when I was a kid and my job was to spray the rad when it came out of the tank and had been repaired- the paint was as thin as pee and it was only applied until you got coverage. The bonus, using paint, was that it helped protect the metal as well as make it look better and radiate better. I'd squirt-bottle some aluminum metal prep on, wash it off, blow it dry and use an aluminum friendly paint. Have fun.  :cheers:

    Thanks for the advice, I think I've got a plan now!

    Jim
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    Offline dakota

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    Re: Painting aluminum radiators?
    « Reply #12 on: October 25, 2015 - 09:53:39 AM »
    Quote from: Cudakiller70 on October 22, 2015 - 05:24:17 PM
    hey look what i found
    http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-radiator-black-paint


    I used the Eastwood radiator paint on my OEM radiator.  It took about 1.5 cans to cover.  The main challenge on application is spraying from lots of different angles.  It doesn't have much build, which is good.  The part has zero drive time on it so I can't speak to heat transfer of how it holds up to heat yet.
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