Painting an aluminum radiator

[shum8]

Yes, I searched for this question.... no joy. I think it’s time for a new radiator and I’m gonna stick an aluminum one in there..... but I don’t think I wanna look at a silver radiator behind the grill. I know aluminum is usually difficult to paint and have it stick, but more importantly how much would the paint reduce my cooling capabilities??

 

[Patrick]

It’ll still be more efficient than your old brass type radiator. Go ahead and customize it.

 

[mdeluca]

I painted mine with ceramic engine paint... Dupli-color. It has held up well except for the bottom ledge under the fins. Probably my lack of prep ... hard to get to. I don’t see any difference on the idiot gauge. The bugs show up more on the black and it’s hard to clean them off.

I saw where a guy slipped a a custom black window screen between the radiator and the grille. He slid it out to hose off. I’m thinking of giving it a try.

 

[shum8]

I painted mine with ceramic engine paint... Dupli-color. It has held up well except for the bottom ledge under the fins. Probably my lack of prep ... hard to get to. I don’t see any difference on the idiot gauge. The bugs show up more on the black and it’s hard to clean them off.

Good info - painted it is......

I saw where a guy slipped a a custom black window screen between the radiator and the grille. He slid it out to hose off. I’m thinking of giving it a try.

I did that on my last two..... works great, and virtually invisible. I painted it black. And depending on how buggy it is, I have been known to just pitch it and make a new one




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[Posi]

What I use, good for up to 300* and designed for painting stock and aluminum radiators.
https://www.eastwood.com/ew-radiator-black-12oz-satin-finish.html

 

[RiverandSand]

I kinda like the look of my AL Griffin radiator peeking through the grill.
Those who like the black out look, VHT radiator paint would be a good choice also.