Does painting a radiator reduce efficiency?

Whomp · 03-29-2003, 06:32 PM

Toipc say it all. Any thoughts?

Whomp.

wymjym · 03-29-2003, 07:14 PM

yes, but not my too much (unless you put very heavy coats of paint on it)
wj

hara · 03-31-2003, 09:40 AM

It depends on the type of fins/density and paint. Have you got a pic?

bigben2k · 03-31-2003, 10:32 AM

I'm inclined, for an unexplainable reason, to mention high temp paint, such as used on exhaust systems, or BBQs.

I'd avoid using any paint, except where it's relevant: outside of the finned area. It's just for looks, right? The shroud should cover the finned area anyways.

TerraMex · 03-31-2003, 10:57 AM

I did some fast goggling, and came up only with a good reason to paint your radiador. Corrosion. Which, in a normal house enviorment, i dont think it's critical .

Nevertheless, for what i read, Electrophoretic coating is the way to go, it gives the thinnest layer of paint, thus not affecting performance very much.

source : http://www.cuprobraze.com/cuprobraze...s/coating.html (ok, not the best source...)

Can O' Beans · 04-01-2003, 11:29 PM

Want to paint it?

You can safely paint the whole outside of the heatercore without negative effects on cooling. As for the 2 sides with the fins, take your spray paint can, and hold it at about a 10-20 degree angle to the face of the heatercore. This way, you only get paint about 1/8"-1/4" into the fins - no effect on cooling, and you normally can't see much deeper than that in most scenarios.

Whomp · 04-02-2003, 07:07 AM

Thanks guys.
i knw black ices were painteds, along with some others, but was worried it would hurt thermal transfer.

The 10-20 degree thing sounds perfect.

I got a monster heater core with a great little external setup.
You're gonna love it.

03-29-2003, 06:32 PM	#1
Whomp Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Mexico Posts: 46	Does painting a radiator reduce efficiency? Toipc say it all. Any thoughts? Whomp. __________________ XP 2100 on EpOx 8RGA+ 2.32 GHz 10X - 210MHz FSB 6,3,3,CL2 Thermalright SLK900u

03-31-2003, 09:40 AM	#3
hara Cooling Savant Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Malta, Mediterranean Posts: 662	It depends on the type of fins/density and paint. Have you got a pic? __________________ - Every great HD crash day is the day before back-up day. - My Past System - "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven." - Milton, Paradise Lost. - FMZ

03-31-2003, 10:32 AM	#4
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	I'm inclined, for an unexplainable reason, to mention high temp paint, such as used on exhaust systems, or BBQs. I'd avoid using any paint, except where it's relevant: outside of the finned area. It's just for looks, right? The shroud should cover the finned area anyways. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

03-31-2003, 10:57 AM	#5
TerraMex Cooling Savant Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portugal, Europe Posts: 870	I did some fast goggling, and came up only with a good reason to paint your radiador. Corrosion. Which, in a normal house enviorment, i dont think it's critical . Nevertheless, for what i read, Electrophoretic coating is the way to go, it gives the thinnest layer of paint, thus not affecting performance very much. source : http://www.cuprobraze.com/cuprobraze...s/coating.html (ok, not the best source...) __________________ "we need more cowbell."

04-02-2003, 07:07 AM	#7
Whomp Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Mexico Posts: 46	Thanks guys. i knw black ices were painteds, along with some others, but was worried it would hurt thermal transfer. The 10-20 degree thing sounds perfect. I got a monster heater core with a great little external setup. You're gonna love it. __________________ XP 2100 on EpOx 8RGA+ 2.32 GHz 10X - 210MHz FSB 6,3,3,CL2 Thermalright SLK900u

03-29-2003, 07:14 PM	#2
wymjym Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: near Austin Posts: 96	yes, but not my too much (unless you put very heavy coats of paint on it) wj

04-01-2003, 11:29 PM	#6
Can O' Beans Cooling Savant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pa - USA Posts: 264	Want to paint it? You can safely paint the whole outside of the heatercore without negative effects on cooling. As for the 2 sides with the fins, take your spray paint can, and hold it at about a 10-20 degree angle to the face of the heatercore. This way, you only get paint about 1/8"-1/4" into the fins - no effect on cooling, and you normally can't see much deeper than that in most scenarios.

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