painting intercooler?

**SinSere** · 05-09-2006, 10:49 AM

curious if anyone has input or info on painting your intercooler black? Thought my bigmouth was cool at first, but have found the attention more annoying than anything. did a search on google and found people saying radiator paint is the way to go. Looked up radiator paint and I found household radiator paint, the high temp type for the old school standing radiators. Not sure if this is what the forums meant that I looked on. Also, what type of sand paper would I use to scuff it up to stick?

I imagine the thinner the coat the better on the intercooler to keep the same type of functionality. I would think the black would absorb heat also compared to the silver reflecting it away. Probably not too much of a difference, but a difference none the less. I'm going to keep searching, but thought I'd throw it out here as well. If I don't get overly hammered like last weekend, I'll most likely be doing it on Saturday or sunday.

**DryBear** · 05-09-2006, 11:42 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SinSere)</div><div class='quotemain'>curious if anyone has input or info on painting your intercooler black? Thought my bigmouth was cool at first, but have found the attention more annoying than anything. did a search on google and found people saying radiator paint is the way to go. Looked up radiator paint and I found household radiator paint, the high temp type for the old school standing radiators. Not sure if this is what the forums meant that I looked on. Also, what type of sand paper would I use to scuff it up to stick?

I imagine the thinner the coat the better on the intercooler to keep the same type of functionality. I would think the black would absorb heat also compared to the silver reflecting it away. Probably not too much of a difference, but a difference none the less. I'm going to keep searching, but thought I'd throw it out here as well. If I don't get overly hammered like last weekend, I'll most likely be doing it on Saturday or sunday.</div>

I actually considered painting my intercooler as well to keep a low profile, but I actually kind of like the way it is now - I take carpool everyday and one guy thought I had a billet grill down there

Anyway, I asked the same thing over at Club3G.com and one guy used high-temp black engine paint with no apparent ill effects, and it looked good IMHO.
http://www.club3g.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52865

**SinSere** · 05-09-2006, 12:07 PM

changed your signon I see...

I'll check it out. I'll post pics of mine as it sits now and you'll understand why I want to hide it....thats all you see is FMIC. thanks man.

**Xrs2** · 05-09-2006, 12:18 PM

acid-etching is the best preforming way to black out an intercooler. But it is the most expensive.

Just get some 0 flat black paint, and keep the coat light.

**Phil** · 05-09-2006, 12:37 PM

the guys over on evom are using radiator paint will not problems so far.

**DOHCstunr** · 05-09-2006, 01:22 PM

yeah literally just dusting the exposed side is enough to conceal it. those that know will see it no matter what.... cause they'll be looking for it.

just dust what can be seen.

the rest of it will still be exposed metal.

if your intercooler is symetrical like mine, you can always turn it around if you want to go back to silver.

**SinSere** · 05-09-2006, 01:45 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xrs2)</div><div class='quotemain'>acid-etching is the best preforming way to black out an intercooler. But it is the most expensive.

Just get some 0 flat black paint, and keep the coat light.</div>

Yeah, acid-etching is the way to go, but I'm not willing to go that extra mile. Looking for a brand really that I can pick up locally. So far Duplicolor flat black radiator is what I'm reading will work. I plan on doing a very thin coat, it'll look a lot better. It actually is symmetrical so good point, I could flip it around if I needed to.

**mattalicslvr8g02** · 05-09-2006, 01:58 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DryBear)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SinSere)</div><div class='quotemain'>curious if anyone has input or info on painting your intercooler black? Thought my bigmouth was cool at first, but have found the attention more annoying than anything. did a search on google and found people saying radiator paint is the way to go. Looked up radiator paint and I found household radiator paint, the high temp type for the old school standing radiators. Not sure if this is what the forums meant that I looked on. Also, what type of sand paper would I use to scuff it up to stick?

I imagine the thinner the coat the better on the intercooler to keep the same type of functionality. I would think the black would absorb heat also compared to the silver reflecting it away. Probably not too much of a difference, but a difference none the less. I'm going to keep searching, but thought I'd throw it out here as well. If I don't get overly hammered like last weekend, I'll most likely be doing it on Saturday or sunday.</div>

I actually considered painting my intercooler as well to keep a low profile, but I actually kind of like the way it is now - I take carpool everyday and one guy thought I had a billet grill down there

Anyway, I asked the same thing over at Club3G.com and one guy used high-temp black engine paint with no apparent ill effects, and it looked good IMHO.
http://www.club3g.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52865</div>

that color is sweet, not the intercooler the car, me personally like the look of an intercooler on the bottom of the bumper but... I would think either way would work radiator or high temp engine paint and it could be done because ive seen intercoolers with the brand name sprayed on it like Greedy

**seth98esT** · 05-09-2006, 02:05 PM

If you want a professional quality/look, look into anodizing. I dont think it is that expensive, probably compareable to powder coating.

**Stewi** · 05-09-2006, 04:23 PM

I painted mine with some Krylon High Temp Flat black. All I did was clean the intercooler with brake cleaner, i let it sit in the sun and air dry for about 15 mins, then i sprayed on the paint i very light coats, it took about 3-4 very very light coats to get full surface coverage.

**mattalicslvr8g02** · 05-09-2006, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Stewi

I painted mine with some Krylon High Temp Flat black. All I did was clean the intercooler with brake cleaner, i let it sit in the sun and air dry for about 15 mins, then i sprayed on the paint i very light coats, it took about 3-4 very very light coats to get full surface coverage.

man I love your car, are you comming to the bbq?

**Stewi** · 05-09-2006, 04:28 PM

yeah i should be there

**mattalicslvr8g02** · 05-09-2006, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Stewi

yeah i should be there

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**SinSere** · 05-09-2006, 05:26 PM

that was one of my questions actually was what to use to clean it. Brake cleaner huh Stewi? I have lots of that available. I found some paint made for auto radiators that I'm going to use. Not flat, but satin anyways. Hopefully the paint I ordered will be here by Friday.

**seth98esT** · 05-09-2006, 05:31 PM

Post before and after pics! I might have to paint mine so I can be in the cool sleeper croud

**SinSere** · 05-09-2006, 06:02 PM

Was plannin on it. I haven't even posted pics of the Eclipse yet in general so I'll make sure I take a fair amount.

**DryBear** · 05-09-2006, 06:07 PM

So the numbers of the boosted Galant minions are growing? :twisted:

**DOHCstunr** · 05-09-2006, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by DryBear

So the numbers of the boosted Galant minions are growing? :twisted:

its the usdm destiny

**underated** · 05-11-2006, 04:38 AM

did you paint your yet Len

i thought about doing mine also but never got around to doing it i even bought the radiator paint now i dont know where it is lol

**DryBear** · 05-11-2006, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by underated

did you paint your yet Len

i thought about doing mine also but never got around to doing it i even bought the radiator paint now i dont know where it is lol

my lazy ass hasn't painted my intercooler either, and I have the paint sitting somewhere in my garage as well