painting radiator

kwisor

kwisor

Senior Member
hello all
can i paint my rad with out making any problems i do not want to start over heating if so what do i use
thank you
kevin
1930 model a tudor
1923 model t roadster p/u
 
It is my understanding that there is a special radiator paint. Regular paint should NOT be used. the radiator paint should only lightly be sprayed onto the radiator and DOES reduce the cooling a little. This is information from my discussion with the owner of Natick Radiators in Natick Mass. I have not yet painted mine and am not an expert. I just tend to over-research things.
 
Eastwood sells rattlecans of Radiator Black paints, both Gloss & Satin. I think the satin looks better on an A. $14.99 a can. Go lightly.
 
I just had my radiator in the shop for a leak, it took them two days to boil the paint off. Do not paint it! The issue is the are tiny bubbles created when the paint is subjected to the heat of the engine. This creates an air space, and cooling ability is reduced. They do use a special radiator paint. If it were me and I wanted to paint it, I would take it to a shop, have it cleaned and painted. Good maintenace.

I don't think it would be that expensive, they charged my $60 to clean, repair and paint mine.
 
Here in TX where it can be 108 in the summer easy, we paint ours. I like a semi gloss sold at Ace Hardware. Never had any heating problems. Maybe they sell special radiator paint but I'm willing to be your local radiator shop doesn't use it.
 
As an Energy Engineer, I have done many heat loss/gain calculations, and paint is a consideration in the calcs. I can tell you that thermodynamically paint slows heat flow. That means, it reduces the efficiency of your radiator. But, it's your choice.
 
I have a great radiator shop here in west County St. Louis do the "A" radiators... and I always have them leave it unpainted..... so I can see the repairs and condition, and see for myself before I paint & install. I have used some of the black BBQ grill paints, semigloss and other flats before.... carefull not to get too heavy but to coat it.... I have never had a problem with any paint causing an overheating problem.... In my experience..... If there is a cooling problem... if you think think the paint is the problem.. it is really probably something else... radiator poor flow, clogged tubes, engine has scale and debris .. etc

I would suggest using a infared temperature meter to check the heat of the radiator top to bottom, left to right to identify how it is really cooling and flowing... of course if you hit a cool spot with a low reading you'll know you're not getting flow in that area.

I think most of the standard spray can paints of your choice will do the job... your probably just better off with one of the thinner varieties. Flat black BBQ or otherwise. Give it good overall coverage..and you should be fine.
Good luck
Larry S.
 
I've also used semi gloss black in a spray can and had no problems. Spray from both left and right as you face the radiator, and you'll get a light coat of paint on the visible part, but it really doesn't coat the fins very far back. It'll look good and cool fine, if the radiator isn't plugged up.
 
Painting radiators is mainly to prevent external corrosion of the fins & tubes. To "freshen" up my core, I've dipped a soft paintbrush in watery, liguid, stoveblack and passed it across the fins. It'll just wipe off the shell, if you "slip"! Bill W.
 
hello
thank you for the replays i think i will use eastwwod rad pant
kevin
1930 model a tudor
1923 model t roadster p/u
 
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