How to paint a radiator?

redleader · 08-07-2002, 12:54 PM

Ok, I'm going to put a large heatercore top and center on my new black 1240. Personally I think cores are sort of ugly, so I'd like to give the top a light coat. I don't care about the bottom, so I don't think it will impact performance.

Still, whats the best way to do this? Plain black spray paint or are there more specialized products I should be aware of ?

Thanks.

iceheart · 08-07-2002, 02:45 PM

As long as you don't paint the fins themselves you can paint it with whatever you want.

iceheart · 08-07-2002, 02:48 PM

You can see my heatercore in there which I sprayed with some noname matt black spray paint, I simply taped a piece of paper to each side over the fins.

Can O' Beans · 08-09-2002, 01:19 AM

I did the same, black sides & end caps.

If you paint the fins themselves, you WILL get a reduction in heat transfer from fin to air. Don't ask me how much of a reduction though, as I've never tested.

redleader · 08-09-2002, 10:20 AM

My old core was painted from DTek and worked fine with a 7 volted Panaflo. My new core is 1.5 times the size and will have even more airflow. Performance will not be an issue, I'm sure of it.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips to apply the paint, what type would look best, etc.

Thanks

bigben2k · 08-09-2002, 11:03 AM

I've been thinking about this one...

I found engine enamel at my dollar store, but it's only available in "Chrysler Green" and "Ford Green". Not sure if it would affect performance, but heck, if you really want to paint that rad, that's be my choice.

redleader · 08-09-2002, 11:15 AM

I'm thinking I'll get some cheap back spray paint and go quickly over the core at a very shallow angle (like 20 degrees or so) so I only get the top 1/4 inch. That leaves me with the other 1.75 inches unpainted.

BTW, I can't wait to get my camera back, the core fits perfectly in the top of a 1240. It took only 45 minutes to cut the hole, and it looks almost perfect. I slipped a tiny bit on a single edge, and its nothing a I can't grind out.

airspirit · 08-09-2002, 11:27 AM

Paint is a terrible heat conductor. That is my only beef with the BIXs ... they painted the damn fins. Straight metal to air contact is best. Paint the housing, but expect a severe increase in temps if you paint the fins.

redleader · 08-09-2002, 01:36 PM

Well as I said my last core was painted and performed excellent. So if it does hurt performance, then its small enough that I don't care. So theres no need to keep telling me that. Honest. I belive you.

DarkEdge · 08-09-2002, 07:15 PM

I painted my fins. A VERY VERY LIGHT COAT. So light that when you touch it the paint comes off. I havn't noticed any diff. in temps.

Can O' Beans · 08-09-2002, 11:51 PM

In response to Bigben's post...

I painted my case frame with "Grabber green" Duplicolor engine paint.

It is a VERY thin paint - too damn thin for a case frame

If you were going to paint it, try to get a real thin paint if possible.

bigben2k · 08-10-2002, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Can O' Beans
In response to Bigben's post...

I painted my case frame with "Grabber green" Duplicolor engine paint.

It is a VERY thin paint - too damn thin for a case frame

If you were going to paint it, try to get a real thin paint if possible.

Thanks for the info Can O' Beans, that's very useful. Now I have to wait until my dollar store stocks another color...

Can O' Beans · 08-11-2002, 12:25 AM

...as I said - thin

meaning it scratches VERY easy

Already have areas i have to touch up on my frame

ECUPirate · 08-11-2002, 12:38 AM

What if you held the can at a very steep angle to the fins, and sprayed lightly from both top-down and bottom-up directions? That should keep most of the paint out of the copper wire fins...

bigben2k · 08-11-2002, 11:32 AM

You read my mind. By painting at an angle, you'd paint the tips of the fins, which should be sufficient for esthetics purposes.

08-07-2002, 12:54 PM	#1
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	How to paint a radiator? Ok, I'm going to put a large heatercore top and center on my new black 1240. Personally I think cores are sort of ugly, so I'd like to give the top a light coat. I don't care about the bottom, so I don't think it will impact performance. Still, whats the best way to do this? Plain black spray paint or are there more specialized products I should be aware of ? Thanks.

08-07-2002, 02:48 PM	#3
iceheart Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Yonder Posts: 318	You can see my heatercore in there which I sprayed with some noname matt black spray paint, I simply taped a piece of paper to each side over the fins. __________________ "If the majority is smarter than you, does that make everyone else a geek, or does it make you retarded?" - pHaestus

08-09-2002, 11:03 AM	#6
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	I've been thinking about this one... I found engine enamel at my dollar store, but it's only available in "Chrysler Green" and "Ford Green". Not sure if it would affect performance, but heck, if you really want to paint that rad, that's be my choice. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

08-11-2002, 12:38 AM	#14
ECUPirate Hottest Stank of them All Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Washington, DC area Posts: 533	What if you held the can at a very steep angle to the fins, and sprayed lightly from both top-down and bottom-up directions? That should keep most of the paint out of the copper wire fins... __________________ Does a radioactive cat have 18 half lifes? --Kenny my pimpin' rig: ...previously poorly cooled... 486DX-2 66mhz @ 75mhz, 4Mb ram, shared, 256Mb hard drive Onboard VGA, watercooled, of course 16-color monitor, labtec speakers, 28kbs USRobotics modem Windows XP (think about it) Maze 3, DDen GF3 block, Eheim 1250, econoline van HC, 1/2" hose w/ 5/8" fittings Comair 172mm fan

08-11-2002, 11:32 AM	#15
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	You read my mind. By painting at an angle, you'd paint the tips of the fins, which should be sufficient for esthetics purposes. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

08-07-2002, 02:45 PM	#2
iceheart Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Yonder Posts: 318	As long as you don't paint the fins themselves you can paint it with whatever you want.

08-09-2002, 01:19 AM	#4
Can O' Beans Cooling Savant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pa - USA Posts: 264	I did the same, black sides & end caps. If you paint the fins themselves, you WILL get a reduction in heat transfer from fin to air. Don't ask me how much of a reduction though, as I've never tested.

08-09-2002, 10:20 AM	#5
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	My old core was painted from DTek and worked fine with a 7 volted Panaflo. My new core is 1.5 times the size and will have even more airflow. Performance will not be an issue, I'm sure of it. I was wondering if anyone has any tips to apply the paint, what type would look best, etc. Thanks

08-09-2002, 11:15 AM	#7
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	I'm thinking I'll get some cheap back spray paint and go quickly over the core at a very shallow angle (like 20 degrees or so) so I only get the top 1/4 inch. That leaves me with the other 1.75 inches unpainted. BTW, I can't wait to get my camera back, the core fits perfectly in the top of a 1240. It took only 45 minutes to cut the hole, and it looks almost perfect. I slipped a tiny bit on a single edge, and its nothing a I can't grind out.

08-09-2002, 11:27 AM	#8
airspirit Been /.'d... have you? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 1,986	Paint is a terrible heat conductor. That is my only beef with the BIXs ... they painted the damn fins. Straight metal to air contact is best. Paint the housing, but expect a severe increase in temps if you paint the fins.

08-09-2002, 01:36 PM	#9
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	Well as I said my last core was painted and performed excellent. So if it does hurt performance, then its small enough that I don't care. So theres no need to keep telling me that. Honest. I belive you.

08-09-2002, 07:15 PM	#10
DarkEdge Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sugar Land, Tx Posts: 176	I painted my fins. A VERY VERY LIGHT COAT. So light that when you touch it the paint comes off. I havn't noticed any diff. in temps.

08-09-2002, 11:51 PM	#11
Can O' Beans Cooling Savant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pa - USA Posts: 264	In response to Bigben's post... I painted my case frame with "Grabber green" Duplicolor engine paint. It is a VERY thin paint - too damn thin for a case frame If you were going to paint it, try to get a real thin paint if possible.

08-11-2002, 12:25 AM	#13
Can O' Beans Cooling Savant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pa - USA Posts: 264	...as I said - thin meaning it scratches VERY easy Already have areas i have to touch up on my frame

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