Radiator paint

[Nelson]

Before I reinstall my radiator it needs to be painted. I see that Eastwood sells a paint that is called a radiator paint. Is it really necessary to use a special paint or does it make much difference what kind of paint I use? The radiator is the original one that came with my 62 Sprite.

Nelson

 

[HAN8L1965]

Nelson,

I used black low glosss Dupli-engine paint. More than meets the heat requirements and looks very good on my 65

Mark

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I think it becomes an issue of thickness. If too thick, then it insulates.

 

[jlaird]

Black Rustolum seems to work well for me.

 

[Nelson]

I have some Rustoleum "Professional High Performance" enamel that sounds like it will do the job. Now if I could only get the brakes bled. That is just one more challenge to overcome.

Nelson

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I used Dupli Color engine hi heat semi gloss or flat black before with zero problems, just don't cake it on the core, just cover it, this is why semi gloss or flat works best, you not re-coating looking for that glossy finish, just enough to cover.

 

[Sarastro]

The paint does insulate a bit, but the paint film is thin and wide, so that effect is minimal. I'd be more worried about using so much that it restricts the airflow. The temperature of the radiator never gets very high, so that probably is not an issue--it's not like the engine.

In any case, rust, crud, and flattened fins will restrict airflow more than a little well applied paint; that's what I'd really be concerned about.

Just spray it on the outer part of the fins, where you see it. No need to get it deep inside, and if you try, you'll probably use too much.

 

[bugimike]

I would suggest a flat black, since the flat color supposedly dissipates the heat better than a gloss paint! Paint a square of cardboard with gloss black and a square with flat black, set them down on snow (coming soon to many locations!

) and see which melts into the snow faster! :wink:

 

[HAN8L1965]

I wouldn't paint he core, I taped mine off.

Mark

 

[jlaird]

Paint the core, just very lightly.

 

[Sarastro]

I would suggest a flat black, since the flat color supposedly dissipates the heat better than a gloss paint! .......

That's true for radiative heat gain or loss, but there isn't much radiative cooling in an automobile radiator. It cools primarily by conduction of heat through the fins into the air, and that probably doesn't depend much on whether the paint is glossy or flat. Only thing I can see is that glossy paint probably goes on a little thicker, so flat might be a tad better. Just keep it thin in any case.