Best black paint for intercooler/stainless piping?

[Mr Ree]

Hey TS'ers...

Im about to install a new intercooler in my car, and wanted to paint the front of it first, to try and keep everything slightly stealthy.

I imagine radiator shops would use a specific type so was wondering if any of you know what the best type of paint to use would be, in order to not affect the IAT's.

Also, I want to paint all of my stainless steel piping at the same time, so any recommendations for that is appreciated too.

Thanks

[spoonza6]

Black plasti dip looks good

[Mr Ree]

Im sure it does wonders for the cooling too...

[spoonza6]

Yeah, it will make a huge impact on your IAT that you will feel a huge loss in power...

The same when people upgrade to alloy radiators n they don't paint them black, disastrous...

No idea to be honest, but stainless steel is a bit of a heat sink wouldn't you say?

[Mr Ree]

Like everything, both materials have advantages/disadvantages.

If you have a smaller turbo, and are wringing every last pound out of it, then I imagine alloy piping might be a better choice to help dissipate the excess heat, but in my situation, running a reasonably sized turbo, and a relatively low amount of pressure, Im not putting much heat into the system, so shedding it is less of a concern.

My entire piping tract it still cool to the touch after a good session on the track, so Ive never felt the need to change to alloy. Maybe in future, when I upgrade my snail, it might become a consideration though.

[Stott69]

Ive just used Repco etch primer and paint rattle cans. Looks alright, but wouldnt pay much more to do it due to stone chipping

[Mr Ree]

Normal paints arent really the best choice though, mate.

If that Boron nitride product wasnt so expensive I wouldnt hesitate, but was hoping members had tried various types over the years.

[jbod]

Vht have a range bud. Check their site you may find something of use

[Mr Ree]

I went around 5 or 6 stores yesterday, seeing if anyone carried proper radiator paint, but the only stuff available where I went was typical heat paint for bbqs et al. The VHT stuff I saw was intended for headers/blocks etc, but they might have something suitable that the stores dont carry so Ill try union hardware tomorrow

I might just pony up and buy a can of boron nitride if I can get it in black

[e30-323ti]

What about getting in anodized??

[allencr]

...radiator shops would use a specific type so was wondering if any of you know what the best type of paint to use...

Rad.shops use the cheapest & easiest & brightest blingy they can get.

Whatever is thinnest & least affects metal-to-air for the cooler, whatever is thinnest & most affects air-to-metal for everything in the engine compartment, to dissipate or insulate.
Gold plating would be nice.
///
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That black coating that's on nuts & bolts. Amateur/hobbyist machinist forums
talk about that & other coatings IIRC, and ones for gunsmithing too.

[Dell'Orto]

I actually asked one of the local radiator companies what they use, and they said any basic automotive black paint is all they use on their recores.

[Mr Ree]

What about getting in anodized??

I read up about annodising, and apart from the cost being prohibitive, it will also change colour over time due to the heat.

Thanks for the suggestion anyway

...radiator shops would use a specific type so was wondering if any of you know what the best type of paint to use...

Rad.shops use the cheapest & easiest & brightest blingy they can get.

Whatever is thinnest & least affects metal-to-air for the cooler, whatever is thinnest & most affects air-to-metal for everything in the engine compartment, to dissipate or insulate.
Gold plating would be nice.

Funnily enough, when I went into my local radiator reconditioners yesterday, he surprised me by saying he just uses a really heavy industrial paint to coat anything before it leaves his shop.

I must admit to being surprised, but I guess 99% of customers arent beating $&#$% out of their cars/cooling systems at the track so it isnt really an issue for him.

He agreed with me that something like the Boron Nitride would be the best choice, although that comes with a cost. You gotta pay, to play lol

Gold is great stuff for the outside of any piping exposed to high ambient heats, but for the core, wouldnt achieve what Im trying to achieve. Although I might buy some to cover various items in the engine bay like brake and clutch reservoirs as my current reflective silver heat tape has put up with a huge amount of heat cycling, and is starting to look tatty.

[Heylin]

Did you consider caliper paint or engine enamel ?

[mega4a]

wouldn't black attract the heat from the sun etc? i would just go with the shinny alloy look looks nice and alloy piping light weight.

[fielderz]

Did you consider caliper paint or engine enamel ?

I was thinking along similar lines, maybe a thinned down oil based enamel. At a guess I would say enamel would one of the more thermally conductive paints out their, with the added bonus of the oil based stuff being able to thinned down rather a lot.

[DexGT]

I got mine powder coated , well I got the end tanks and edges done and a light dusting on the core , it looks black from half a meter away.

I hooked up a thermocouple and tested the IC outlet temp before and after powder coating and the difference was so small that the heat of the day had a bigger effect.
The thing that really made a difference was ducting the IC so air had to go thru the core and not around it .
I am running 22 psi boost and making 260 ish FwKW from 1500cc so defiantly making the IC work

[Mr Ree]

For sure ^ everything I have been reading has said that provided the paint isnt too thick, the temp delta is very small.

What did powder coating the end tanks cost if you dont mind?

[DexGT]

I think I got it done with some work stuff , but knowing Bert at powder surfaces it won't be expensive .

[Mr Ree]

Where is he located please, mate?

Might be easier to get everything done all in one place