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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Radiator paint?

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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 09:38 PM
  #1  
Weston67's Avatar
Weston67
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Radiator paint?

Installed a new radiator on the 67. I noticed that in the right light the bright aluminun radiator looks like a set of buck teeth behind the dark grill! Is the solution to paint the radiator black and does it matter what type of paint is used?
 
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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 09:44 PM
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"buck teeth".. that's funny right there.

I just use engine enamel... a light dusting at an angle (both ways to color/tone down the fins) is all it takes. Most of the fins will be unaffected.

Or you can add some raciness to it like below...

 
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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 11:35 PM
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The $0.97 stuff should work just fine. Flat black.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 11:13 AM
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I would imagine that engine enamel would be fine. It's what I would use, at least, considering how hot the radiator gets. Regular spray paint might last just as well, but engine enamel is only like $4 a can, so that's what I would use.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 01:38 PM
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2X 351. You are only going to dust them as Hio suggested. You don't want to hinder heat transfer from the fins/tubes. The fins are the coolest part of the radiator. And plus, the cheapie paint withstands more heat than most think. Heck, one time I painted the mufflers on my car just to see if I wanted them a certain color. They may be mounted way back by the back bumper but I expected the heat to flake the paint off. After 4ish years they are still there with the same paint.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 02:35 PM
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Eastwood sells a paint specifically for radiators (according to them). It comes in gloss or flat. I just got my can in the mail today and have not used it yet, so I don't know if it is worth the price of $16.99 + 4.99 S+H.
 
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