Flathead radiator and paint?

Well I am beggining to mock up my project... I have a 59AB motor and a brand new griffin aluminum radiator that I got about 5 years ago... trouble is I am trying to build a project with original parts...

Until I find a rebuilt OEM how stupid of me would it be to paint this thing black? It just looks so bright and shiny!

 

If my memory is still working I believe the old radiator shops use to dilute their black enamel paint with kerosene and spray the radiators.

I know when I was a kid i panted a radiator with enamel,,fins and all and it ran hotter than a 4 balled Tom Cat! HRP

 

paint it black- rattle can is fine. , black disapates heat

 

Buy a special radiator paint from a place that sells restoration supplies. Maybe a place that sells automotive paint might stock the correct paint. Maybe a trip to a local radiator shop and have them spray it? Regular paint might work if is sprayed thin but why chance it?

Charlie Stephens

 

Re-read post two. Paint is an insulator.

 

Paint it. Any spray bomb will do, light coats from every angle on the core, put as much on the tanks as you want.

I've been building and painting aluminum radiators for years and have never had any overheating issues caused by paint. If it overheats you have other problems besides the color of your radiator.

 

+1 Just enough flat black to hide the aluminum and no more. The increased radiation gain from the black paint can be lost from excessive film thickness.

Bob

 

Even the people using it often don't realize that old radiator paint was asphalt based, not enamel. And yes, it was thinned with kerosene, gasoline, or mineral spirits(paint thinner). I bought some several years ago so I ***ume it's still available.

 

i got one for my av8 from superior radiator, they said paint it . i did doesn't affect it in any way. gloss black heat paint. NO STRIPES OR IT WILL OVER-HEAT LOL!!!!!!! JAN.

 

I used Krylon semi-flat black on my aluminum Superior radiator in my flathead powered A truck and on the radiator in my '32. Looks good and doesn't overheat.

 

Paint it.

 

Mnnn sounds like consensus on paint... I just met a guy who might have a stocker for me so it could be crisis averted...