Radiator -to paint or not to paint - that is the question

[Jim M]

Pardon the pun, but I am putting a new radiator shield on my 29 Roadster and when I hung it on to see how it will look my first impression was the shield looks great but the radiator looks bad. I have no idea how old the radiator is and it works great but shows it's age. I would like to paint it (black??) but don't know how much this will change it's effect. It is now located in Rhode Island but it will be moving with us to Florida in the near future. This is also a concern to me. So I am looking for comment, ideas etc for what I should do. I have always been a strong proponent of "if it ain't broke - don't fix it" but that is in direct conflict with wanting to make it look better. Thanks in advance for all your comments. Jim

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

While some might argue that the paint acts as an insulator which keeps the radiator from radiating heat, the truth is preventing the corrosion caused by bare copper & solder should outweigh the paint. If the radiator is THAT marginal where the paint affects the job of keeping the engine cool, then maybe it is time for a new radiator too.

[Dodge]

Brent what type of paint do you recommend he paints it with? I know some are less insulating than others.

[Mitch//pa]

Paint the radiator in 2 directions to cover both sides of the fins... Use your head mist it to get full coverage, no need to cake it on...
Never had an issue

[29spcoupe]

I use the cheapest flat black paint on radiators I can find.(less pigment). Use just enough to cover . An old radiator man gave me this tip.

[Mitch//pa]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have used standard krylon as well as hi temp rustoleum .. Both worked fine
When ur done look at the fins from different angles with a bright light or full sun hitting it to make sure you got decent coverage..
If not it will look like crap when ur out at a show with the sun on it

[31Tudor]

I used Eastwoods, radiator paint. It is kind of a satin black.

[36coupe]

I painted my radiator in my 57 chev wagon after rebuilding the engine. The first time I started it black flakes of paint blew back on the orange engine. I guess I should have cleaned the radiator first.

[J Franklin]

Lacquer is what I use

[SSsssteamer]

Originally Posted by 31Tudor

I used Eastwoods, radiator paint. It is kind of a satin black.

Ditto. There are many more paint names than just Eastwood. During the Viet Nam "conflict", working in the motor pool, we used a special radiator paint on all of our reconditioned radiators. All of the radiators had been hot tanked and they were free of all paint after they were rinsed off.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

If your radiator is painted, it can be DARKENED up, by spraying 409 on a soft paint brush & brush horizontally, through the fins.
Bill Clean

[fastroadster]

In the shop, we had cheap "Radiator Paint" we would thin with gasoline. It was like a tinted gasoline.

[ronn]

I use the cheapest flat black paint on radiators I can find.(less pigment). Use just enough to cover . An old radiator man gave me this tip.

The dollar stuff at walmart works fine and is very thin.

[glenn in camino]

I've always used Krylon, semi flat black. No problems.

[burner31]

I used flat black BBQ hi temp paint I got at Wally mart, thin mist, full coverage, all angles, no issues...cheap too.
Touch up is easy and blends right in, when needed.

[H. L. Chauvin]

FWIW: Removing old radiator paint, cleaning radiators, & preparing for painting consumes about 99% of one's radiator finishing time.

Painting radiators consumes about 1% of one's radiator finishing time.

My specially formulated "thin" Eastwood Radiator Spray Paint held up well for years after continuously rinsing off smashed bugs and mosquito hawks with no paint flaking.

Cheap paint may always sound good .............. but in my opinion, removing failed flaking cheap paint, repeating one's radiator fin cleaning, and repainting is just a simple choice one makes for something that previously sounded good.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Agree with Brent. When I worked at the junk yard I saw lots of radiators with half the fins corroded away.
Seems the Omnis and Horizons were well known for missing fins due to corrosion.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I saw a pic of a nice BLACK radiator. When the Guy laid it on the grass & viewed it from the BOTTOM, it had a BIG#7 on it, in "GHOST" letters????
Bill W.

[Jim M]

What is the best way to clean the radiator? Is there some kind of spray or soap that will do the trick. Would it be advisable to take a steel brush and carefully try to clean any rust/dirt/grime that might have collected.

[Tinbasher]

The best way I've found of cleaning a rad is to take it to a rad shop and put it in there boil out tank. This will remove the old paint and clean the rad ready for paint. The old rads were originally painted with chassis black which is tar based paint. The same as Tremclad or Rustoleum. I reduce the tremclad 50 percent with reducer and spray a couple of coats to get coverage. Works well I did my rad 25 years ago and it's still looks good and isn't peeling. Use a semi-gloss or satin black as it gives up the heat better. John Poole