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Painting aluminum radiator?

  • Thread starter Thread starter KAILUAZ
  • Start date Start date Nov 23, 2007

KAILUAZ

New Member
Jul 15, 2004
333
0
0
St Pete, FL via Kailua, HI
Nov 23, 2007
#1
  • Nov 23, 2007
  • #1
So I was given a Griffin radiator that looks pretty bad. I want to paint it black, any ideas on the type/brand of paint to use?
 
M

mike93lx

Member
May 22, 2003
391
0
16
Hudson, MA
Nov 23, 2007
#2
  • Nov 23, 2007
  • #2
technically, paint will decrease heat transfer, so if your car has any problems with cooling a the moment, it's time for a new radiator. if not, I would guess that a light coat of pretty much any paint should work fine.
 

KAILUAZ

New Member
Jul 15, 2004
333
0
0
St Pete, FL via Kailua, HI
Nov 23, 2007
#3
  • Nov 23, 2007
  • #3
Car is in 1000 pieces at the moment. This is a 3 core Griffin. I thought about just buffing out the sides, but the middle fins look horrible.
 

5.0fox

Member
Feb 10, 2003
410
0
17
buckley/enumclaw wa
Nov 23, 2007
#4
  • Nov 23, 2007
  • #4
If its just oxidation and stuff on the fins you could try cleaning it with some etching wheel cleaner designed for cast aluminum wheels.
 

KAILUAZ

New Member
Jul 15, 2004
333
0
0
St Pete, FL via Kailua, HI
Nov 23, 2007
#5
  • Nov 23, 2007
  • #5
5.0fox said:
If its just oxidation and stuff on the fins you could try cleaning it with some etching wheel cleaner designed for cast aluminum wheels.
Click to expand...

Thats a good suggestion, maybe I'll try that first.
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
Founding Member
Nov 22, 2001
3,501
28
119
Motor City
Nov 24, 2007
#6
  • Nov 24, 2007
  • #6
Aluminum radiators look good in natural form. My custom rad in the Cobra still looks good, but it doesn't see rain or snow. Just use a nice silver aluminum high heat paint. Use light coats.
 

mustangmike6996

5 Year Member
Nov 10, 2005
483
6
29
clinton twp, MI
Nov 24, 2007
#7
  • Nov 24, 2007
  • #7
painting is a horrible idea. it will not dissipate the heat as it should. have you tried getting a radiator comb to straiten the fins out???
 

Hickfied

Member
Nov 9, 2005
413
0
16
Morganton, NC
Nov 24, 2007
#8
  • Nov 24, 2007
  • #8
I think Eastwood makes a radiator paint.
 
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