Powder Coat The Radiator

[GT53]

As the thread title suggests, would powder coating the radiator cause any issues down the road? I was thinking that the core could be covered so as to keep the powder from gumming it up and the rest could be safely coated. What say you all?

Thanks…..Greg

[rich grsc]

I would worry that the temps required may weaken the tank seams? Paint is a much better solution, radiators have been painted since the invention of IC engines.

[2FAST4U]

Not a good idea. Problematic with heat dissipation. I wouldn’t do it

[Todd Baumann]

There is radiator paint if you want some color on it otherwise you will damage the radiator or in a worse case event possibly hurt your engine.

[FF33rod]

This paint was recommended to me and is wearing very well in my '33. Used the satin black on the radiator....

https://www.vhtpaint.com/high-heat/vht-roll-bar-chassis-paint

Steve

[GT53]

Thanks to all. I’ll find some paint that will work. I kind of figured that a +/- 450º oven was a bit too hot for the rad.

Greg

[RBachman]

Greg, I ran into the same issues on my radiator. I'm set up for powder coat and Cerakote both. The air-cure Cerakote blacks are phenomenal for heat endurance and go on extremely thin without having to bake them. But after hearing some radiator vs. rock damage stories I decided to install a protective Radiator Honeycomb Screen and painted it black. It works great, hides the aluminum, but seems to soak up and waste the paint a bit due to the restrictive access inside the honeycombs. To compensate I sprayed each side from various angles to get into the voids. Mine came from Summit Racing, but other automotive supply companies also have them. Hope this helps.

[Tooth]

I thought there were similar threads and fb posts stating powder coating would be good. Doesn't seem to be the consensus on this thread.

[rich grsc]

I thought there were similar threads and fb posts stating powder coating would be good. Doesn't seem to be the consensus on this thread.
There is no way I'd trust sticking a radiator in a 400* PC oven. The next thing is why? You can walk into any auto parts store, or even WalMart and get a spray can of engine paint for around $6-8, in any color you like. To PC that would be how much, over a $100?

[wallace18]

No OEM powder coats a radiator. There is a reason for this. Loss of heat transference. Eastwood sells black paint for radiators. I have used it with good results on several builds.

171812

[Tooth]

No OEM powder coats a radiator. There is a reason for this. Loss of heat transference. Eastwood sells black paint for radiators. I have used it with good results on several builds.

171812

Just ordered some of this.

Thanks

[GFX2043mtu]

You want Sherwin Williams Polane T with the primer wash for adhesion. It will last the life of the radiator.

[GT53]

Greg, I ran into the same issues on my radiator. I'm set up for powder coat and Cerakote both. The air-cure Cerakote blacks are phenomenal for heat endurance and go on extremely thin without having to bake them. But after hearing some radiator vs. rock damage stories I decided to install a protective Radiator Honeycomb Screen and painted it black. It works great, hides the aluminum, but seems to soak up and waste the paint a bit due to the restrictive access inside the honeycombs. To compensate I sprayed each side from various angles to get into the voids. Mine came from Summit Racing, but other automotive supply companies also have them. Hope this helps.

Good info from all. I ordered a mesh screen from Pegusus a few days ago and UPS says it’ll be here today. Great service from Pegusus. I’ll figure out a way to attach the protective screen and see how it looks before deciding on paint…or not. I polished a spot on the side of the rad with aluminum polish and it buffed out to a near mirror finish so I might keep it as is. Thanks for the all the input from everyone.

Greg

[GT53]

[QUOTE=wallace18;502092]No OEM powder coats a radiator. There is a reason for this. Loss of heat transference. Eastwood sells black paint for radiators. I have used it with good results on several builds.

Now you’ve got me thinking…which in my case can be troubling. I’m wondering just how much heat dissipation would be impeded by applying Cerakote or even several coats of high heat paint designed for such a task?

[Chopper]

I don't have the answer...but most production vehicles have some sort of black coating on the radiators, so, it's probably not going to be a huge issue. I think getting airflow through the radiator is the biggest concern.