Anybody paint their radiator?

Ateup

Active Member

Sep 21, 2009

748

2

28

Apr 9, 2011

#1

• Apr 9, 2011

• #1

I like the lower opening on the grill of my CS, but hate that it shows my ugly ass radiator. Anybody paint their's black? AM makes a grill insert for that hole, but I hate that it hides the depth.

 

SpartaPerformance

10 Year Member

Nov 5, 2006

2,517

61

89

Long Island NY

Apr 10, 2011

#2

• Apr 10, 2011

• #2

If you paint it the fins wont be able to cool as efficiently.

 

streethorse

15 Year Member

Oct 8, 2005

1,042

6

58

Dallas Texas

Apr 10, 2011

#3

• Apr 10, 2011

• #3

I added an inner screen, left it unpainted but you could paint it black.
It protects the radiator from rock hits and hides its uglyness.
Did the bottem opening too.

 

Ateup

Active Member

Sep 21, 2009

748

2

28

Apr 10, 2011

#4

• Apr 10, 2011

• #4

SpartaPerformance said:

If you paint it the fins wont be able to cool as efficiently.

Click to expand...

I was wondering that but I have seen some cobras that had painted ones with cobra or terminator stenciled on.

 

Steve491

Member

Apr 20, 2008

254

2

19

Charlotte, NC

Apr 13, 2011

#5

• Apr 13, 2011

• #5

That's probably your A/C condenser not the radiator. I don't see why you couldn't lightly paint the bottom half a flat black. That shouldn't affect the heat transfer that much.

 

arcwcb

Member

Oct 26, 2009

417

2

19

Pennsylvania

Apr 13, 2011

#6

• Apr 13, 2011

• #6

It actually would, unless the paint was made to conduct heat, it would be the same thing as a thin film or rust developing, which has a significant impact on the ability to transfer heat. Don't paint the radiator.

 

Steve491

Member

Apr 20, 2008

254

2

19

Charlotte, NC

Apr 19, 2011

#7

• Apr 19, 2011

• #7

How about a third opinion.

Eastwood Radiator Black Paint - Detail Paints - Paints

 

jjFORDmustangGT

New Member

Apr 21, 2011

6

0

0

Tampa FL

Apr 21, 2011

#8

• Apr 21, 2011

• #8

Steve491 said:

How about a third opinion.

Eastwood Radiator Black Paint - Detail Paints - Paints

Click to expand...

What he said, here is my B4 and after Mach1 grill delete install:

Note-engine did run a little hotter, have no data to back that up, but did notice fan running alot more, the key is very light coats.

 

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arcwcb

Member

Oct 26, 2009

417

2

19

Pennsylvania

Apr 21, 2011

#9

• Apr 21, 2011

• #9

Steve491 said:

How about a third opinion.

Eastwood Radiator Black Paint - Detail Paints - Paints

Click to expand...

And there it is, a paint that is designed not to affect the heat transfer. It still will (any coating will) but that paint it says is designed to help keep heat transfer up. I wouldn't do too many coats, or too thick of a coat lol.

 

jaybertx

Member

Apr 18, 2003

387

1

18

Sarasota, FL

Apr 24, 2011

#10

• Apr 24, 2011

• #10

I loved, loved, loved that MACH 1 grille delete... I never got around to doing it before I traded that car in but all that honeycomb was good for was holding water after a wash.

 

Steve491

Member

Apr 20, 2008

254

2

19

Charlotte, NC

Apr 25, 2011

#11

• Apr 25, 2011

• #11

Paint it! Lets get back to the original post. We're not talking physics or rocket science here. Engine blocks, cylinder heads, brake calipers, etc are all coated/painted. It's a damn AC condenser. Paint it! Clean the bugs out and paint it! (lightly)

 

Ateup

Active Member

Sep 21, 2009

748

2

28

Apr 25, 2011

#12

• Apr 25, 2011

• #12

Thanks. Need to straighten the fins out and paint it i guess.