Radiator paint?

[Ron]

Hi, almost ready to put the radiator back in the Vitesse as part of the project. It's a bit scruffy and needs a coat of paint. Frost sell special rad paint but would normal spray paint, say an aerosol form Halfords for example, make a great deal of difference to the heat transfer?

Ron

[herald948]

Here is an explanation from Eastwood (in the US) about their radiator paint, FWIW:

"Standard engine paints are too thick for radiator use because they can interfere with heat transfer and block air flow between the cooling fins. Also, standard paint tends to flake off radiator tanks. Radiator Black helps solve this problem. This acrylic enamel factory-finish (85% gloss) withstands 300 degree F., sprays on thick enough to cover completely, yet thin enough to not interfere with heat transfer. Great for heater cores and air conditioning condensers, too!"

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-radiator-black-paint-gloss-aerosol-12-oz.html

[Deleted User]

Go to a motorcycle shop and get a spray can of PJ1 exhaust paint… top stuff.

[MarkB]

Black paint from Halfords will be perfectly OK. "To thick" out of a spray can they must be joking. Paint out of aerosols is like nats pee otherwise it wouldn't atomise because of the low pressure. Just dust it on in the core and spray the rest. I could understand if you were to brush paint where its possible to get a couple of thick coats may start to effect the rads efficiency. As long as you have a good key on the surface I would use the cheapest black paint you could find.

Blue