painting radiator
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Torquay Devon
painting radiator
Hi from the U.K.
Refurbishing engine bay. I have the radiator off and need to repaint it.
What colour would you guys suggest and what paint would you use. Can I use Nitromorse to get the old paint off and then wet and dry it all down? Open to suggestions as only an old novice at it.
The car is factory standard but I am thinking of fitting polybushes to underneath. Can you gents recommend this and will it make the car handle better.
Many thanks,
Jamie.
Refurbishing engine bay. I have the radiator off and need to repaint it.
What colour would you guys suggest and what paint would you use. Can I use Nitromorse to get the old paint off and then wet and dry it all down? Open to suggestions as only an old novice at it.
The car is factory standard but I am thinking of fitting polybushes to underneath. Can you gents recommend this and will it make the car handle better.
Many thanks,
Jamie.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
Theres not much need to remove all the old paint on the radiator. Just clean it all good and scuff it up with a green scuffy pad and spray bomb it with a good engine enamel. Use flat, semi, satain or gloss black.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I just finished painting mine. I bought some semi-gloss black engine paint from the local auto parts store and put 3-4 coats on. To prep, I straightened as many of the bent fins as I could with a small flathead screwdriver . . . very tedious but looks much nicer. Then I used a degreaser (Marine Clean) and sprayed with the engine paint. If you have an air compressor, that will do a great job to blow all the crap out of the radiator and to dry off after washing. I'll be doing the same thing with the radiator support since I have it out.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-radiator-...sol-12-oz.html
I use this stuff from Eastwood. I have absolutely no problems with overheating even during the summer. It can get to 118 ambient and a bit warmer than that in freeway traffic and my '76 stays right about 180 degrees (F) the whole time.
Regards,
I use this stuff from Eastwood. I have absolutely no problems with overheating even during the summer. It can get to 118 ambient and a bit warmer than that in freeway traffic and my '76 stays right about 180 degrees (F) the whole time.
Regards,
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,113
From: Crossville TN
A black material will radiate more heat than any other color. But any coating on the radiator fins will act as an insulator...and the more coats, the less thermal transfer. It needs black paint, but as little as possible to color it black. Also, a paint material that provides better heat transfer would be more desirable. Clean the fins very well with a non-caustic substance, then shoot one coat of satin or semi-flat black on it.
