 Charlie57 "3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 2626  Loc: Lebanon, Tennessee Reg: 03-30-08 | 04-01-12 12:45 PM - Post#2209932 Should I paint or powder coat the fins on my radiator? I wanted them black with the casing the color of the car. I thought maybe the powder coat would be to thick and interfere with cooling?
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 cnbell "8th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 8279  Loc: So Cal Reg: 04-14-04 | 04-01-12 02:31 PM - Post#2209970 In response to Charlie57 I really like this stuff, great for radiator fins. http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-radiator-bla ck-pa...
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 57belairman "9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member Posts: 2880  Age: 62 Loc: Missouri City Texas USA Reg: 03-16-02 | 04-01-12 03:50 PM - Post#2210013 In response to Charlie57 If you must, use radiator paint only. If you powder coat you will have a major over heating problem.
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 5Larry7 "9th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 1596  Loc: Dallas, TX Reg: 05-17-04 | 04-01-12 03:53 PM - Post#2210014 In response to Charlie57 I would stay away from painting the fins. I believe it would inhibit the fins ability to trnasmit heat. JMHO
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| Rick_L Honored Member Posts: 23640 Loc: Katy, Tx, USA | 04-01-12 05:00 PM - Post#2210033 In response to 5Larry7 For aluminum, no way I put anything on them. Powder coat won't work at all, it will restrict cooling. If you insist, and I'd wait until there's an appearance problem, I'd use a silver/aluiminum flat paint. On a copper/brass radiator, use a thin coat of black paint.
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| CharlieC Senior Member Posts: 1544  Loc: Flower Mound, TX, Reg: 03-27-02 | 04-01-12 07:17 PM - Post#2210098 In response to Charlie57 You have a nice looking piece there, why would you want to paint it? Charlie
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| awsum55 Senior Member Posts: 8298  Age: 59 Loc: O.P. Kansas Reg: 09-27-01 | 04-01-12 08:12 PM - Post#2210126 In response to CharlieC I'm going paint my fins black with that Eastwood paint made for that purpose. I really don't like the way the '55's look when there is all that bright aluminum reflecting back through the grille. I think the black behind the grille makes the car look much better. Even the cars that are over the top beautiful, don't look good to me when there is too much shine behind the grille.
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 WagonMan "2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 699  Age: 64 Loc: SW Kansas Reg: 10-26-04 | 04-02-12 06:44 AM - Post#2210209 In response to awsum55 I'm going paint my fins black with that Eastwood paint made for that purpose. I really don't like the way the '55's look when there is all that bright aluminum reflecting back through the grille. I think the black behind the grille makes the car look much better. Even the cars that are over the top beautiful, don't look good to me when there is too much shine behind the grille.
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| Rick_L Honored Member Posts: 23640 Loc: Katy, Tx, USA | 04-02-12 08:04 AM - Post#2210233 In response to WagonMan I'm the opposite, I think it looks just fine.
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| MikeB "9th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 8770  Loc: Plano, TX Reg: 08-28-03 | 04-02-12 08:23 AM - Post#2210235 In response to cnbell I really like this stuff, great for radiator fins. Just found it here for $11.56 + free shipping. I just ordered a can to touch up my V/A condenser. It's on back order, but they expect to have early next week. ***Charlie -- that's a seriously nice setup you have there. Who made it and did you bend the lines?
Edited by MikeB on 04-02-12 10:24 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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| Charlie57 "3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 2626 Loc: Lebanon, Tennessee Reg: 03-30-08 | 04-02-12 08:54 PM - Post#2210542 In response to MikeB Mike, Thanks, the radiator came from ebay from a builder who did not understand 57 Chevys (see overflow tube pointing right where the hood brace is at. The condenser is a universal kit from Vintage Air. The lines came with the kit. I had the frame around the condenser built for $14 in parts and $40 in welding labor. I am very happy with how it turned out, even the overflow tube turned out pretty good.
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| Bruces 57 Frequent Contributor Posts: 1410 Reg: 01-03-07 | 04-03-12 03:49 AM - Post#2210603 In response to Charlie57 Hello; Bruce
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| 4dr 57 "4th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 2257  Loc: The Texas Hill Country Reg: 11-10-04 | 04-03-12 03:46 PM - Post#2210872 In response to Charlie57 I'm with those who say no paint. It's a nice looking rad..dam nice. who made it? I have read, more than once, that the condenser should be an inch away from the radiator for best performance. Maybe someone here w/more experience can say for sure. Stanley
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| Rick_L Honored Member Posts: 23640 Loc: Katy, Tx, USA | 04-03-12 04:56 PM - Post#2210911 In response to 4dr 57 Right up against it is fine, actually they need to be far enough apart to never touch and no more. You don't want any airflow from the sides anyway.
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| Charlie57 "3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 2626 Loc: Lebanon, Tennessee Reg: 03-30-08 | 04-04-12 04:08 AM - Post#2211096 In response to Rick_L Thanks for the comments guys, I just assumed you painted them. I'll have to look at it in the sun and see what I think. I do plan to paint the frames around the fins, they do have bad spots on them that will need fixed. Stanley,
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| sherwood Senior Member Posts: 283 Loc: Lansdale, PA | 04-04-12 06:01 AM - Post#2211123 In response to Charlie57 Can it be anodized black? I've had that thought in the back of my head for a while for my own PRC setup. For my car, it would just fit better with the theme. Sherwood
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 jeffs55 "7th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 11217  Age: 53 Loc: Shelby Forest, Tennessee Reg: 01-05-06 | 04-04-12 02:33 PM - Post#2211337 In response to WagonMan I'm going paint my fins black with that Eastwood paint made for that purpose. I really don't like the way the '55's look when there is all that bright aluminum reflecting back through the grille. I think the black behind the grille makes the car look much better. Even the cars that are over the top beautiful, don't look good to me when there is too much shine behind the grille.
Not alone. I prefer the 55 grille to be the main attraction. All the glitter behind is a distraction. Not sure if the 57 grille would show is as much.
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I'm glad I am not alone in my view of this either. I think the shine detracts from the overall look.
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