HX black vs. aluminum finish

[Austin88]

About to install Merc HX and black RS style grill. Quick poll: Do you guys like black finish so it blends in? Or aluminum finish so it stands out like a FMIC?

[RoofRails]

About to install Merc HX and black RS style grill. Quick poll: Do you guys like black finish so it blends in? Or aluminum finish so it stands out like a FMIC?I have the black finish Merc but I wish it was aluminum. I like the look of the raw aluminum behind the grill.

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[TC_S4]

I thought about it when I got my HX. I like the aluminum look, shows that you have an aftermarket upgrade. But when you have a RS grill the only thing that pops in your eyes, is that freaking crash bar. So finally took the black one.

[KMPRSSD]

I thought about it when I got my HX. I like the aluminum look, shows that you have an aftermarket upgrade. But when you have a RS grill the only thing that pops in your eyes, is that freaking crash bar. So finally took the black one.

I was on the fence with this as well. When the RS grille was installed the crash bar was powder coated black. Your eye will absolutely go to the black crash bar with an aluminum HX. I opted for black also.

[hmc2261]

I was on the fence with this as well. When the RS grille was installed the crash bar was powder coated black. Your eye will absolutely go to the black crash bar with an aluminum HX. I opted for black also.

Pics?

[onelowboi]

Pics?

Is a pic really necessary here? This isnt to be rude, it's a real question. The aluminum HX is extremely bright, the raw finish is a silver, brighter than the OEM steel-like color. Plus, a BLACK crash bar in FRONT of this bright silver HX, will pop out. I initially got the JHM black, but decided I like the raw silver popping out more. There have also been increases in efficiency in the raw rather than the painted black, but not sure how much, it was in a thread I forgot about.

[hmc2261]

Is a pic really necessary here? This isnt to be rude, it's a real question. The aluminum HX is extremely bright, the raw finish is a silver, brighter than the OEM steel-like color. Plus, a BLACK crash bar in FRONT of this bright silver HX, will pop out. I initially got the JHM black, but decided I like the raw silver popping out more. There have also been increases in efficiency in the raw rather than the painted black, but not sure how much, it was in a thread I forgot about.

I misread his post initially.

Pics arent needed

[Austin88]

I am leaning toward black but was wondering about efficiency since I live in Austin TX (hot as shit in summer). Anyone have the thread onelowboi speaks of?

Lol maybe I’ll go raw aluminum and only paint the sides of the crash bar black. That way it looks like the HX is in front of the bar rather than behind! Nah jk I’ll probably just go black..

[KMPRSSD]

To be honest. You may only see a few degrees better exchange on a raw vs. black exchanger. I would guess maybe 3 deg max. Obviously humidity, altitude, dew point, ambient temp, and flow would all factor into that, but that is discussion for the thread lowboi is referencing


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[Austin88]

To be honest. You may only see a few degrees better exchange on a raw vs. black exchanger. I would guess maybe 3 deg max. Obviously humidity, altitude, dew point, ambient temp, and flow would all factor into that, but that is discussion for the thread lowboi is referencing


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Awesome thanks for the readers digest version lol

[RoofRails]

Awesome thanks for the readers digest version lolI disagree with the black HX being any less effective then the silver / raw aluminum look. It's not a thick powder coat on these Heat exchangers, more of a thin plating. Radiators of all shapes and uses have been made black like this all across the automotive industry. We have gotten use to seeing silver / raw FMIC because people consider them a cool performance mod they want to show off VS a water based heat exchanger that most people don't recognize as a performance mod (except for us). That's my 2 cents.

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[dimonblr]

I don't have one, but here are my thoughts - Does the black paint chip off over time from highway sandblasting? If yes, go with silver.

[KMPRSSD]

I don't have one, but here are my thoughts - Does the black paint chip off over time from highway sandblasting? If yes, go with silver.

You have to remember the “silver” if “silver”has a coating as well. If not raw aluminum is not going to stay bright like that for long. It’s going to chalk and discolor just like any radiator.


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[RoofRails]

I don't have one, but here are my thoughts - Does the black paint chip off over time from highway sandblasting? If yes, go with silver.Its funny that you ask that because that's why I referred to it as a plating in my response. I have seen lots of used MercRacing HXs for sale and you usually see very little in the way of chips on them. Just a little bit usually in finn area that is super thin and fragile.

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[dimonblr]

You have to remember the “silver” if “silver”has a coating as well. If not raw aluminum is not going to stay bright like that for long. It’s going to chalk and discolor just like any radiator.


Discolored gradually in areas exposed to sunlight and elements is fine with me and is expected. It's dalmatian styling that i'm no a fan of if white/silver rock chips would be very noticeable.


Its funny that you ask that because that's why I referred to it as a plating in my response. I have seen lots of used MercRacing HXs for sale and you usually see very little in the way of chips on them. Just a little bit usually in finn area that is super thin and fragile.


Might depend on the grill used. I would imagine a stock grill would offer more protection than the popular RS style ones.

[Fresh.S4]

yall sweating these "rock chips' need to stop riding other cars lol...