I think this might have been previously discussed, however S2Ki Search Function is currently down. I've also searched through the Tech FAQ's and couldn't find anything.

Right now I am tossing up the idea of purchasing a Tech2 Spearco Front Mount Radiator for my Comptech Supercharger, however I am wondering if it can be powder coated or not? Will their be any effects of powder coating it, other than visual - both positive and negative?

Please don't post up questions like "Why would you want to do this, the Spearco Front Mount is primarily for looks." The reason behind it is because I would like to get that extra tad bit of cooling and I'm not big into the "looks category", anyone who has seen my car can vouch for this!

Thanks

 

Sounds like it would look nice but some things to consider. The powdercoating I don't think would interfer with the cooling process but remember that the Front Mount takes a beating.

I know that powdercoated wheels seem to do ok but direct hits to the front of the aftercooler might not give you the look that you want over a period of time.

Tim

 

I have no proof of this but this might be something to consider. Powder coating tends to give a slightly thicker layer of paint. Also, because the part is charged so the powder can adhere to it, I would worry that paint will get into the spaces between the fins. This may decrease the size of the air passage and hence, the cooling ability of the rad.

 

I used radiator spray paint on my Blitz IC...

 

I believe the cooling properties of a radiator are based on the heat exchange from the (hot) liquid inside being carried away by the (cool) ambient air. This is accomplished via the aluminum construction of the radiator, because aluminum is such a good conductor of heat. (So is silver, but a silver radiator might be over the top, even for JDM bling-ness.)

Powdercoating a radiator would add a "layer" of paint on top of the aluminum, which for all intensive purposes would simply serve to insulate the hot liquid from the cool air. I think this would be a bad idea functionally.

Just my 7th grade education speaking up though, I'm sure there's some PHD in thermodynamic tendencies in radiatorial sciences just itching to bust my chops...

 

I'd get it black anodized instead of pdc.

Check out the 2nd post from the bottom: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.p...1975#post831975

 

The Spearco radiator doesnt do too much for cooling anyways. From my understanding, it is more of a looks thing. What XViper is saying might be true. You should look into that as well as what BoostLE said. Anodizing might be a smarter process.

Ryan

 

just give it a thin layer of spray paint, its easier and cheaper


D.

 

You should anodize your front-mount if you want it colored. Do not powdercoat it, you'll destroy its heat-transfer abilities.

 

Thanks to everyone who has offered advise thus so far - I truly appreciate it. I am going to do a tad bit of research real quick to see if I might be able to find a local shop who offers anodizing!

SIIK2NER - Yes sir, that is definitely something that I have already thought of. Most likely I'll probably just have to take that under the "wear and tear" aspects, hopefully a local shop would be able to offer some sort of cheap discount over time if I have to bring it back in for touch-ups.

xviper - Thats one of the main things I was worried about - the layering possibly limiting the radiators effect. I don't know many details behind powder-coating, however I am hoping the shop can limit how thick the layer is.

djdorifto - I'll do some research into Radiator Spray Paint, see what I can come up with. I am a firm believe though in "go cheap and you get cheap". So honestly I'd rather spend the extra cash to make sure its nice.

i_heart_my_DB8 - As well as what xviper had mentioned, that is another thing that I was worried about. I am no expect by any means on this topic - hence why I requested the opion from the other members. Hopefully someone can confirm/deny this though!

boostLE - I'm going to do a search locally to see if anyone here offers anodizing.

Ro_Ja Boy - I have heard that it does not offer much of an increase, however if it can offer just a little amount I am sure it would help. Especially with the new setup that I am planning to run.

CIVICTOS2000 - I'd rather drop the big money and make sure its safe than to go with a quicker cheap resolution and have it cost me more money in the end.


Again, thanks to all the replies thus so far, very apprecaited!