Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Opinions on painting intercooler.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-18-2005, 10:49 PM
  #1  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
 
BAT TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WV
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Opinions on painting intercooler.

Hey guys, I have a front mount and I'm planning on running it without the front plate or foglights so I can get the most air. I have an idea but i'd like to get some opinions on it before I consider doing it. My car right now has a silver bird on the plate between the fogs. I want to paint just the area that is exposed through the hole where the plate would be so that it's black, but paint over a stencil of the bird so that the part that isn't painted still gives me the silver bird in the front. I read before that it's not a good idea to paint the whole intercooler because it could interfere with the cooling, I just want to paint the area behind where the front plate used to be. Does anyone see any problems to this?
Thanks
Old 09-18-2005, 11:28 PM
  #2  
On The Tree
 
paspar2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

yah all the intercooler would be a horrible idea... laws of thermodynamics and the properties of metals.. :p

As long as you're under like 1/6th of the surface it'd probably be fine...
Old 09-18-2005, 11:40 PM
  #3  
TECH Resident
 
V8_DSM_V8again's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would not paint it.

If you want it blacked out with a stencil have it anodized. You can mask the design off and still have the same effect with an imeasurable effect on efficiency.
Old 09-18-2005, 11:41 PM
  #4  
Staging Lane
 
Skunkworks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

As long as area is small fraction you may be fine. But remember paint is an insulator which will effectively reduce heat transfer in effected area.

I’d personally not do it because flow area you are opening up may be negated by painting.

Mike
Old 09-18-2005, 11:44 PM
  #5  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (4)
 
BOONE's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: council bluffs Iowa
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I would never do it.
Old 09-19-2005, 12:00 AM
  #6  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (5)
 
DeltaT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

No problem, on the actual fins, use Eastwood Black Radiator paint - a couple light coats from different angles. On the tanks any self-etching primer and chassis black or silver will work. Eastwood's stuff works well there, too. VHT and Rustoleum have some good combos, too, but no one else has a special radiator fin paint.

It is a high carbon, high heat transfer paint but you still want a couple light coats - maybe 3 if it has to be very black.

Jim
Old 09-19-2005, 12:13 AM
  #7  
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
burnrubber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: CA
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I would not worry about it. You'd be painting such a small fraction of the intercooler, I'd just go with 1 or 2 very light coats of some flat black.

A tiny spritz on a tiny part of the core is hardly the same as soaking the unit in a thick insulative layer. I'd be very surprised if you'd notice a measurable difference in intake temps, I highly doubt it.
Old 09-19-2005, 12:35 AM
  #8  
TECH Resident
 
V8_DSM_V8again's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

If you do paint the end tanks dont matter so much... I would also mask off all of the fins and only paint the leading edge of the IC bars.

Considering the cost of an good intercooler core and the economical price of anodizing in my honest and turbocharging experienced opinon just it anodized.
Old 09-19-2005, 01:07 AM
  #9  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
99SS-T's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

who can adonize it and how much something like that cost? GL


John
Old 09-19-2005, 02:09 AM
  #10  
TECH Resident
 
V8_DSM_V8again's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 99SS-T
who can adonize it and how much something like that cost? GL


John
You could DIY... http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodize/anodize99.html

But if its just one part one time have someone else do it.

http://www.thomasnet.com/products/an...1790179-1.html

Search around somebody in your area can do it...

Here you go in CT even

http://www.lightmetalscoloring.com/services.html

Last edited by V8_DSM_V8again; 09-19-2005 at 02:24 AM.



Quick Reply: Opinions on painting intercooler.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:12 AM.