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What is the best paint to use on the radiator

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by hookedontronics, Oct 5, 2010.

  1. Oct 5, 2010 at 7:45 AM
    #1
    hookedontronics

    hookedontronics [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Installing a grillgraft next week and wanted to know what paint to use on my radiator for blacking it out. Please let me know what is best, i do not want to inhibit heat transfer
     
  2. Oct 5, 2010 at 7:48 AM
    #2
    AndrewFalk

    AndrewFalk Science!

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    I used high temp barbeque grill paint. It's flat black, and you don't need to clean the surface at all...this paint covers everything....metal, plastic, bugs and all.
     
  3. Oct 5, 2010 at 8:34 AM
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    dagul

    dagul Well-Known Member

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  4. Oct 5, 2010 at 10:54 AM
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    Lurkin

    Lurkin Well-Known Member

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  5. Oct 5, 2010 at 11:13 AM
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    ChaseUA

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  6. Oct 5, 2010 at 11:23 AM
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    V-TRAIN

    V-TRAIN Well-Known Member

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  7. Oct 5, 2010 at 11:24 AM
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    cinch

    cinch Member Extraordinaire

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    I would think that any kind of coating you put on radiator fins would inhibit heat transfer.
     
  8. Oct 5, 2010 at 11:26 AM
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    militaco

    militaco Well-Known Member

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  9. Oct 5, 2010 at 11:52 AM
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    Blackened Taco

    Blackened Taco Well-Known Member

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    Also wood stove paint, extreme high temp use, usually only available in flat.
     
  10. Oct 5, 2010 at 12:01 PM
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    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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  11. Oct 5, 2010 at 12:52 PM
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    Lurkin

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    Keep it thin and it's not relevant...
     
  12. Oct 5, 2010 at 12:59 PM
    #12
    mike686

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    Any layer of anything against that radiator will screw up the heat transfer unless you find something from a manufacturer that is paint for radiator which helps with heat transfer i would paint it IMHO
     
  13. Oct 5, 2010 at 1:02 PM
    #13
    rab89

    rab89 Well-Known Member

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    are you saying this form experience or talking out of your ass?
    I've had my radiator painted for over a year, and have never had any sort of issue
     
  14. Oct 5, 2010 at 1:08 PM
    #14
    colinb17

    colinb17 If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    no need for a hi-temp paint. next time you drive somewhere, as soon as you park, feel the radiator....if the fins are hot...you've got bigger problems.

    i used hi temp simply because it was the only flat black paint i had at the time, but regular black paint should work....like others said, just keep it thin.
     
  15. Oct 5, 2010 at 4:45 PM
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    JKD

    JKD Well-Known Member

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  16. Oct 5, 2010 at 8:28 PM
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    AndrewFalk

    AndrewFalk Science!

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    I just wanted to use grill paint because it covers EVERYTHING. The high temperature resistance was simply an added bonus.
     
  17. Oct 5, 2010 at 9:19 PM
    #17
    rossk35

    rossk35 Do Work Son!

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    What you guys are painting is the a/c condenser not the radiator.
     
  18. Oct 6, 2010 at 5:45 AM
    #18
    cinch

    cinch Member Extraordinaire

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    X2
     
  19. Oct 6, 2010 at 5:50 AM
    #19
    cinch

    cinch Member Extraordinaire

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    Working quite a bit in the HVAC field and having lots of experience I promise you that it's true. If you painted your radiator and didn't notice a difference it's because the system is not overloaded (excessively hot) but when you need the extra cooling capacity the paint will inhibit this. Then you'll wish you hadn't done it.
     
  20. Oct 6, 2010 at 6:03 AM
    #20
    TurfTaco

    TurfTaco Is there a long john silvers on the island?

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