The Ford Barn

36Bill · 10-16-2012, 03:41 PM

Does painting the fins on a radiator cut down on the cooling? Just got mine back from the shop and don't know how far to go with the paint. I hope semi-gloss black is right for a '36 pickup radiator.

Bill

sonny · 10-16-2012, 04:10 PM

Engine paint works just fine.

19Fordy · 10-16-2012, 04:18 PM

Paint does inhibit the cooling effect a little bit. I ainted my top tank with gloss acrylic enamel in 1990 and it's still nice and shiny. Some folks use bar-b-q paint on the fins.

texas webb · 10-16-2012, 05:39 PM

If you do a real light coat it should not cause any problems.

rotorwrench · 10-16-2012, 05:47 PM

A light coat of enamel works OK. Laquer is not so good since it blocks heat transfer more. Many vendors have a radiator black rattle can paint specifically for the job.

37 Coupe · 10-16-2012, 06:35 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I bought and used Eastwoods radiator paint,they claim it contains less solids to not inhibit heat transfer.You don't need solids in paint where rust is not an issue.

coolcoupe · 10-18-2012, 06:29 PM

I was told a flat black paint worked the best.

10-16-2012, 03:41 PM	#1
36Bill Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 315	Radiator paint? Does painting the fins on a radiator cut down on the cooling? Just got mine back from the shop and don't know how far to go with the paint. I hope semi-gloss black is right for a '36 pickup radiator. Bill

10-16-2012, 04:10 PM	#2
sonny Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Mantua, Ohio Posts: 269	Re: Radiator paint? Engine paint works just fine.

10-16-2012, 04:18 PM	#3
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,921	Re: Radiator paint? Paint does inhibit the cooling effect a little bit. I ainted my top tank with gloss acrylic enamel in 1990 and it's still nice and shiny. Some folks use bar-b-q paint on the fins.

10-16-2012, 05:39 PM	#4
texas webb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 636	Re: Radiator paint? If you do a real light coat it should not cause any problems.

10-16-2012, 05:47 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: Radiator paint? A light coat of enamel works OK. Laquer is not so good since it blocks heat transfer more. Many vendors have a radiator black rattle can paint specifically for the job.

10-16-2012, 06:35 PM	#6
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Re: Radiator paint? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I bought and used Eastwoods radiator paint,they claim it contains less solids to not inhibit heat transfer.You don't need solids in paint where rust is not an issue. __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II

10-18-2012, 06:29 PM	#7
coolcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ontario,Canada Posts: 450	Re: Radiator paint? I was told a flat black paint worked the best.