The Ford Barn

GB SISSON · 01-28-2022, 11:19 AM

I have a couple of the Chinese aluminum radiators and I do like them and the price. About 225.00 and free shipping. Before I install this next one I would like to paint it a satin black. Scuff up the tanks with scotchbrite? What do I prime with? Does paint on the fins hinder cooling? Any advice? Thanks. GB

Crankster · 01-28-2022, 11:25 AM

I looked into this once, and what I found while was there is "special" radiator paint available the radiator shop and repair guys suggested the idea is they simply like to use a well thinned out black paint, basically.

1952henry · 01-28-2022, 11:54 AM

Go to a paint store and get some alodine. It is a conversion coating which prevents corrosion, and more importantly for you, acts as a primer. It leaves a very thin film. Thinned black paint would work over this, test for compatibility. Eastwood does or did have "soecial" radiator paint.

ronn · 01-28-2022, 11:59 AM

paint holds very well to aluminum. you dont need any special prep.

with that said, yes it does hinder your cooling to some degree.

my suggestion would to be to put on a very light coat.......

I was a house painter for years and aluminum loves and holds paint well.

19Fordy · 01-28-2022, 12:47 PM

Wonder how the black paint for Bar-B-Q grilles would work. It's thin and covers good.

J Franklin · 01-28-2022, 01:07 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Rattle can satin black lacquer.

Newc · 01-28-2022, 01:16 PM

Aircraft have been painted forever using a binding primer. Aluminum boats also. Newc

kls50 · 01-28-2022, 02:05 PM

I was told you should use self etching primer on aluminum. Is that not necessary?

51 MERC-CT · 01-28-2022, 03:57 PM

Any time I want a satin black finish on bare steel or aluminum I use this.
No sanding, just de-grease to clean, no top-coat required.

GB SISSON · 01-28-2022, 04:01 PM

I will be in town this afternoon. I think I saw some self etching primer by rustoleum a couple months ago at our hardware store. Maybe a light coat of that and some bbq black. And the scotchbrite can't hurt, right?

38bill · 01-28-2022, 04:39 PM

Just read the label carefully as some BBQ type paints need to get very hot to cure the paint.

jayvee34 · 01-28-2022, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

I will be in town this afternoon. I think I saw some self etching primer by rustoleum a couple months ago at our hardware store. Maybe a light coat of that and some bbq black. And the scotchbrite can't hurt, right?

IMHO, I like what post #9 recommends, makes sense.

34PKUP · 01-28-2022, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

I will be in town this afternoon. I think I saw some self etching primer by rustoleum a couple months ago at our hardware store. Maybe a light coat of that and some bbq black. And the scotchbrite can't hurt, right?

Have to agree with post #9 above.

Jack E/NJ · 01-28-2022, 05:14 PM

Some claim black-anodized aluminum radiators are where it's at for the ultimate in corrosion resistance, lasting beauty & high thermal emissivity. 8^)

51504bat · 01-28-2022, 05:46 PM

Eastwood sells radiator paint. Kind of pricey.

https://www.eastwood.com/ew-radiator...in-finish.html
Also available from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Eastwood-1034.../dp/B003CRM9CU

IIRC there is at least thread on the HAMB about painting aluminum radiators.

Lawson Cox · 01-28-2022, 09:40 PM

Eastwood's shipping is out of this world.

51504bat · 01-28-2022, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Eastwood's shipping is out of this world.

Amazon says free delivery but takes 6-10 days to ship. Probably have to add at least a week on top of that for the actual shipping cross country. And then it has to get on the ferry to Orcas Island. Maybe get it but Easter?

GB SISSON · 01-28-2022, 10:44 PM

Too late for an anodized rad.....

GB SISSON · 01-28-2022, 10:49 PM

Tommorow gonna pick up the primer and bbq paint..... If my wife gives me a little rope it may be running by Sunday night. But... I am not gonna push the issue because she is pretty GD cute.

rich b · 01-28-2022, 11:12 PM

I put BBQ paint directly onto a couple aluminum radiators; seemed to hold up well. Even when removing bugs from the one in my roadster.

01-28-2022, 11:19 AM	#1
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,929	Painting an aluminum radiator? I have a couple of the Chinese aluminum radiators and I do like them and the price. About 225.00 and free shipping. Before I install this next one I would like to paint it a satin black. Scuff up the tanks with scotchbrite? What do I prime with? Does paint on the fins hinder cooling? Any advice? Thanks. GB __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

01-28-2022, 11:25 AM	#2
Crankster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 563	Painting an aluminum radiator? I looked into this once, and what I found while was there is "special" radiator paint available the radiator shop and repair guys suggested the idea is they simply like to use a well thinned out black paint, basically.

01-28-2022, 11:54 AM	#3
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,619	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Go to a paint store and get some alodine. It is a conversion coating which prevents corrosion, and more importantly for you, acts as a primer. It leaves a very thin film. Thinned black paint would work over this, test for compatibility. Eastwood does or did have "soecial" radiator paint. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.

01-28-2022, 11:59 AM	#4
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? paint holds very well to aluminum. you dont need any special prep. with that said, yes it does hinder your cooling to some degree. my suggestion would to be to put on a very light coat....... I was a house painter for years and aluminum loves and holds paint well.

01-28-2022, 12:47 PM	#5
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,941	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Wonder how the black paint for Bar-B-Q grilles would work. It's thin and covers good.

01-28-2022, 01:07 PM	#6
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Rattle can satin black lacquer.

01-28-2022, 01:16 PM	#7
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,484	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Aircraft have been painted forever using a binding primer. Aluminum boats also. Newc

01-28-2022, 02:05 PM	#8
kls50 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Davenport, Ia. Posts: 2	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? I was told you should use self etching primer on aluminum. Is that not necessary?

01-28-2022, 04:01 PM	#10
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,929	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? I will be in town this afternoon. I think I saw some self etching primer by rustoleum a couple months ago at our hardware store. Maybe a light coat of that and some bbq black. And the scotchbrite can't hurt, right? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

01-28-2022, 04:39 PM	#11
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,166	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Just read the label carefully as some BBQ type paints need to get very hot to cure the paint.

01-28-2022, 05:14 PM	#14
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Some claim black-anodized aluminum radiators are where it's at for the ultimate in corrosion resistance, lasting beauty & high thermal emissivity. 8^)

01-28-2022, 05:46 PM	#15
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,018	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Eastwood sells radiator paint. Kind of pricey. https://www.eastwood.com/ew-radiator...in-finish.html Also available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Eastwood-1034.../dp/B003CRM9CU IIRC there is at least thread on the HAMB about painting aluminum radiators. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

01-28-2022, 09:40 PM	#16
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Eastwood's shipping is out of this world. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

01-28-2022, 10:44 PM	#18
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,929	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Too late for an anodized rad..... __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

01-28-2022, 10:49 PM	#19
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,929	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? Tommorow gonna pick up the primer and bbq paint..... If my wife gives me a little rope it may be running by Sunday night. But... I am not gonna push the issue because she is pretty GD cute. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

01-28-2022, 11:12 PM	#20
rich b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,826	Re: Painting an aluminum radiator? I put BBQ paint directly onto a couple aluminum radiators; seemed to hold up well. Even when removing bugs from the one in my roadster.