Noddle Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Hi, If I paint a intercooler black, will this affect it's cooling ability ?, if not, will it make a difference if it matt black, or gloss black. I'm wanting to 'hide' it from the casual observers (cops) Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Im sure that it would have a bit of a negative affect, but how much of one, who knows? If your not running crazy boost numbers or anything like that I wouldnt worry about it, but thats just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetleaf Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Use a radiator paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-Z Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I wouldn't worry, unless you drench it. people paint their IC all the time with stencils. Look at the sti rally car. just mist the paint on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almighty Wez Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 You can do it but there are probably some negative effects. As long as you don't put it on really thick, you should be fine. People ask me about powder coating IC's and I usually steer them away from it, or just do the endtanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S130Z Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 As SweetLeaf said, use radiator paint. I have used this stuff on a radiator and it is a very thin paint, but still has great coverage. Th looks is also a semi-flat look. Good luck. Also, have you gotten pulled for showing an intercooler? I just couldn't see gestapo pulling you for having a front mount, unless you were boostin' around town like a mad man and they used the intercooler to spot you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noddle Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 As SweetLeaf said, use radiator paint. I have used this stuff on a radiator and it is a very thin paint, but still has great coverage. Th looks is also a semi-flat look. Good luck. Also, have you gotten pulled for showing an intercooler? I just couldn't see gestapo pulling you for having a front mount, unless you were boostin' around town like a mad man and they used the intercooler to spot you. I haven't fitted it yet, I'm trying to keep it looking standard, I suppose I'm wanting a bit of a 'sleeper' I.E , looks like it's got no go.. but a nice surprise when I stick my foot into it, and I'll be less likely been pulled up by the cops wanting a look under the bonnet (hood) Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowlerMonkey Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 The Stefan-Boltzman law covers this but at a higher level then I care to research. It also applies to black bodies (bodies being the natural color and not a covering) That said, all of the radiators I see at lexus and toyota since they went over to aluminum are not painted. The 1986.5 to 1992 supras use an intercooler painted black.........but they were painted at the factory. Painting an intercooler that has even experienced the least bit of exposure to the elements would probably net you flaking paint and I'll bet toyota went to extreme lengths such as the proper primer, and possibly dipping it to ensure it didn't flake off. Now if you just want to make it less visible, you can probably get away with "dusting" it such that only the cans and just the very front face of the fins get's paint while leaving the other 99.9 percent of the surface area of the fins unaffected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S130Z Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I wonder if they have those laws in Tasmania, I'm not quite sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noddle Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share Posted January 28, 2009 I wonder if they have those laws in Tasmania, I'm not quite sure. I don't think so, I have never had any of my cars or anyone else I know, had their cars tested for pollution. I would say Tassie is probably 5 - 10 years behind the rest of the world in technology for the general public. But it is a nice place to live. Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WizardBlack Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Paint only flakes if it wasn't applied properly. As they said, use a paint designed to maximize heat transfer and follow the directions on the can. Only use as much as you have to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearheadstik Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Do it, I painted mine and run 20 psi plus.. Just go light on the center, the side tanks do very little heat exchange. Scuff it up with a scotch-brite pad on the tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Hey gearhead, if you had a grill nobody would be the wiser! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearheadstik Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Gotta love a good sleeper.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Ill post a pic of mine too some time, Ive go a black one as well, I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMWHYR0HEN Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Things black in color tend to absorb heat. At the same time, they also tend to release heat much faster than lighter colors when they are hotter than the surroundings (intercooler or radiator in this case) Take a look at most stock radiators, oil coolers, and intercoolers. There's a reason why they are black in color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Most bar and plate intercoolers are painted to begin with....at least most Ebay ones are. They are brazed together so if they arent painted they look horrible. They do a good job with it though and it usually not noticeable....but take a close look at your core and I bet its already got a pretty thick coat of paint on it. My treadstone one definitely did. Most of it burned off when I powedercoated the tank and I brushed the rest off and put a light coat of flat black on the core. If your doing it to hide it check out my install above, you basically could see it unless light was shining directly on hte front of hte car.....except the blinging t-bolts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-Z Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 You can braze aluminum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowlerMonkey Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I bought aluminum brazing rods at harbor freight and can repair a coke can bottom with a 1/4 inch hole in it. It's trade name in the old days was "aladdin rod". I haven't yet tried it for anything other than showing my buddies I can repair a beer can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.