!!!!!! Painting top of Radiator - special paint? !!!!

[Jo3_Blo]

Hey guys,

I'm in the process of painting (well masking anyway) the top of my radiator (WB).

Before I start applying any paint I need to know if I have to use a special heat-resistant paint, or will the el-cheapo pressure pack gloss enamel I'm using suffice.

If I do need special paint, what is it. Perhaps I could use brake caliper paint? (wouldn't that be heat-resistant?)


I was hoping to paint it before it gets dark tonight so any help is much appreciated.


EDIT: I realise this may be the wrong section to post this kind of question in, but I was hoping more people will see it here.
thanks.

[holden123]

you have to get special heat-resistant paint it about $15.00-$20.00 can

[Jo3_Blo]

Ouch!

Thanks mate. Much appreciated.



Anyone know the cheapest place I can get this paint - (I live Mt. Waverly)

I also need to buy some wet-and-dry sandpaper and another can of el-cheapo paint so I will probs get the special paint tommorow.

And will this heat-resistant paint be suitable for things like brakebooster, brake calipers, rear brake drums, and various engine related components?

[walesy]

any supercheap/auto pro and the likes will have heat resiestant paint

[Jo3_Blo]

Cool! Autobarn should have it then.

Do you know if anyone has it on special atm? (i havn't got any catalogues since christmas)

[Tom_1569]

As said above heat proof paint from most auto-stores. You may get away with normal paint caus realisticly the radiator doesnt get that hot, but I wouldnt waste the time, just do it with the high temp paint, and yes you can use the high temp paint on brakes calipers, drums, etc, its what they use to paint the engine block aswell.

On a side note replace your radiator cap, it looks pretty shagged and I dare say the seal is buggered, or for 10 bux have some piece of mind, and check out your hoses aswell they look pretty old.

[Jo3_Blo]

Thanks Tom.

Well at least after spending 20 bucks I can do my brakes too later....

Yeah, the cap isn't the best. I was gonna paint the cap (the top) and just leave it. There is a bit of rusty coloured dust (u know what I mean) around the seal........so maybe I should replace it. I got a few spare ones around the place which are in good nic I think.
Should probably replace the hoses too like you said.

[soop]

The cheap crap would have done the job.
when/if it peels just put some more on...

[Jo3_Blo]

lol, yeah. But I only wanna do it once.

And my dad reckons it will blister, and then you have to take it back to bare metal and repaint.

And I cbf doing that. So looks like I have to fork out $20 instead. And do it right.

[Tom_1569]

Thanks Tom.

Well at least after spending 20 bucks I can do my brakes too later....

Yeah, the cap isn't the best. I was gonna paint the cap (the top) and just leave it. There is a bit of rusty coloured dust (u know what I mean) around the seal........so maybe I should replace it. I got a few spare ones around the place which are in good nic I think.
Should probably replace the hoses too like you said.

When replacing the cap, make sure you replace it with the correct rating to, from memory a brand new one is only bout 10 bux.

[Jo3_Blo]

Oh right!

Okay, might have to do that then. Thanks.

[Ado]

If it was me id at least remove the radiator(very simple) and paint the lot.

[social]

i was about to say the same as above.

[Jo3_Blo]

Yeah, that would save me masking everything up.

But then it is probs more trouble than it's worth. Because I'll more than likely find something else that needs doing. Maybe at a later date. Just wanna get it looking nice and clean and in a reasonable condition and on the road lol.

[SilverVH]

el cheapo paint is fine, haven't used anything else and it doesnt blister or anything, I've even gone so far as to using normal 2pak paint and clear on engine blocks and it doesn't crack or anything with the heat.

Mine still looks like new, years later.

[satos]

I have used the normal enamel (not the high temp stuff) on radiators over the years and have not ever had the paint peel off.
The secret is you have to prepare the surface properly before painting and you will have no problems.

[Jo3_Blo]

Oh ok,

And so will the oil based enamel paint be alright then? Won't give off a smell when it gets hot?

How do you mean prepare? Basically I've just gone over it with a wire brush to get of the rubbish and loose/flaking paint - basically gonna paint it as it is in the pics.
And obviously I wiped it clean.

[cracker]

i used cheap crap, no prep and used my hand to mask it up worked fine

[Jo3_Blo]

Well I went ahead and painted it. So hopefully it won't give me any dramas.


Looks neat.

Will put a pic up later.

[coolvxss]

I have some $2.50 bright orange gloss paint for my brakes, and im sure they get a lot more hot then radiator and its fine. I have had them for about 3 years. its starting to fade in places but i think its just normal wear n tear over the few years. For $2.50 i cant complain

[satos]

Oh ok,

And so will the oil based enamel paint be alright then? Won't give off a smell when it gets hot?

How do you mean prepare? Basically I've just gone over it with a wire brush to get of the rubbish and loose/flaking paint - basically gonna paint it as it is in the pics.
And obviously I wiped it clean.

Exactly what you said.