Effects of Painting Radiator?

I've seen a lot of people saying they spray painted their radiator black so it wasn't so obvious behind the grill. Does this affect the radiator in any way? And should special paint be used for this?

 

I would think that a high-temp paint would need to be used in this area. Stick with hi-temp, and you should be OK.

 

x2^^^^^^^^^^ i used bbq spray paint

 

Interesting question....

There are paint and ceramic coatings made for headers that actually lower the temp, so, IMO as long as you don't go overboard with the paint, you should be ok.

 

I wouldn't paint it.... Painting will limit the efficiency of the radiator since you'll be covering up the fins (which allow heat transfer & air to pass through).

But, that's me....

 

not something i would do just for heat transfer reasons....im sure it looks better tho with the satoshi's and whatknot

 

Agreed.

 

Thanks guys!

 

I've had mine painted for over a year with no problems, at all, I've even repainted it multiple times, so have a lot of other members.

I had also heard that it's not the radiator you're painting, but I can't remember any more info on that, i'll see what I can find.

 

I painted mine with a high temp flat black two years ago when installing my grillcraft. I haven't had any problems or seen any increase in operating temperature.

 

I had the front bumper repainted on my Porsche, overspray on the radiators. It ran hot until I cleaned it off.

 

Interesting...

 

Most likely, you wouldn't see an increase in operating temperature under normal conditions. Your thermostat takes care of that until the radiator can't keep up.

In other words, only in extreme heat or extreme conditions would it most likely make any difference, but I wouldn't want to take that chance.

 

i havent seen any differance other than my truck looks better

 

ive also painted mine. iirc its actually the ac condensor thats taking the paint....i've had no noticable effects from it either way.

 

It's the AC Pusher that is painted, at least that's what I did. Mine is painted with Hi-Temp BBQ flat-back spray. I live in Arizona (obviously, per my screen name). The truck had no issues in 115+ degree weather this past summer. Pessimists can suck it.

Or... you could just strap a blower to the front;

 

Haha I'll pass on the blower. Alright, I guess I'll paint mine black too. Thanks for the info

 

^Not a pessimist, just a realist.

If the a/c condensor is painted, your a/c would work slightly less efficiently, dissipating less heat, meaning it would not increase engine temperature, since intake air passes through the condensor before it gets to the radiator.

Again folks, unless your thermostat is wide open, you haven't reached the tipping point and the subject is moot. My truck's temp gauge is always at 9 o'clock once it's warmed up....30 degrees, 100 degrees, towing, 4x4-ing, etc., so my guess is that the system is designed with plenty of margin built in.

But I'm still not going to paint my condensor or my radiator...

 

good question. I was also a little worried about that because a satashi if one of the first mods I am doing as soon as I get home. I think it will be fine if no one eles has had any problems. besides you are only painting the front should still have a lot of exposed area right?

 

I'll pass...not worth the headache. I'll go with effectiveness over looks