Topic: Radiator Paint

[Sunlitgold68]

What is the best paint to use when restoring a radiator? Looking at the satin finish radiator paint from eastwood. Would this be correct or is semi gloss better? thanks

[CharlesTurner]

Semi-gloss black lacquer is what you need.  The Eastwood stuff works well for this application.

[dan green]

Be sure what you use is not an enamel or urethane, they don't transfer or dissapate heat well.

[C5ZZ]

Be sure what you use is not an enamel or urethane, they don't transfer or dissapate heat well.

I have heard both ways on this.
I have a customer that builds/recores radiators, they said it doesn't matter,
anyone have first hand experience with this?

[CharlesTurner]

Depending how thick the paint is applied, it may or may not matter what type of paint is used.  Also, keeping the paint thin on the fins would also most likely make the biggest difference.

[J_Speegle]

I also like and use Eastwoods' radiator paint for this purpose. Takes a while to dry but happy with the results

[SCJSTU]

what are you guys using?

I am having mine recored and they will leave it bare for me to paint...

thanks, Stuart

ps 1970 351C June 1970 build at Dearborn.......a/c car

[CharlesTurner]

Any semi-gloss paint will work.  The main thing to remember is to not let the paint build up much on the fins.

Some say that lacquer is best for radiators as enamel-based paints act as an insulator.

[SCJSTU]

Charles,
any concern with how hot the radiator gets for a long period of time?

Rustoleum or?

[CharlesTurner]

I'd use lacquer or a light coat of catalyzed acrylic enamel.

[Sunlitgold68]

Eastwood makes a satin black radiator paint which is what I used, turned out nice.

http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-radiator-black-paint.html

[J_Speegle]

Eastwood makes a satin black radiator paint which is what I used, turned out nice.

+1   what I used on the last project

[macdude67]

I'll third the response for the eastwood semi gloss radiator paint, I used it with great results.

[BillEBobb]

I'll third the response for the eastwood semi gloss radiator paint, I used it with great results.

Absolutely!  I think the finish looks correct, too.

[SCJSTU]

thanks for the replies...


what are you using to clean the metal before painting?