Painting my FMIC prep.

[biketsai]

I just got my intercooler paint and wanted to double check before I start some work. Questions...
Should I just sand it with 400, then use some wax/grease remover?
How long before I actually put it back on?
any suggestions?

[calitri808]

im guessing your intercooler is aluminun right? what color are you gonna paint it? you will want to use wax and grease remover first before working on it. BUT i would recommend plugging up the inlets/outlets of the intercooler with some shirts, then taping it up with masking tape, then duct tape, just enough so that the couplers can cover up the unpainted area... then washing it with HOT, soapy water to get off any oil and dirt, air dry it really good, then wax and grease it... but get let me know what color you plan on painting it. aluminum, when you sand it, your only scratching the surface, 400 may not be aggressive enough for the paint to bite onto. itll just flake off....

[biketsai]

Its black radiator paint from Eastwood.
Thanks

[Lazer Viking]

i just scuffed mine up with scotchbrite, and then wiped it with wax and grease remover

[A4Rob]

i just scuffed mine up with scotchbrite, and then wiped it with wax and grease remover

Same here

[biketsai]

i just scuffed mine up with scotchbrite, and then wiped it with wax and grease remover

any final pics?

[CapstoneJHS]

I'd recommend a self-etching primer since you're painting aluminum.

[biketsai]

how long till i put it back on? coats?

[andyrew]

I used about 120 or 80 grit, cant remember but it might have been a worn 80 grit.

Coats? Thinnest you can get away with.


You wont need primer if you can get it really hot a couple of times (installing and driving it generally works..)

I waited till the next day and left mine in the sun all that day.

About 5k miles on mine..

[Lazer Viking]

i wouldnt put primer on it, that might hinder its performance
i painted mine with two coats, and put it on the next day
no pics, and now its stuffed behind a bumper, completly hidden

[djwimbo]

I painted my end tanks w/ Duplicolor truck bed coating. I used 220 b/c my end tanks were polished.
That stuff is a bitch to me, it always seems to chip or never dry. I think it's me that's the issue. I never had an issue when I did up the sides of my car, now it hates me.
So far it looks decent.

[bigphil]

I'm not painting, but curious what paint you guys used. I can't think of a paint that wouldn't affect the heat transfer, I would think anodizing is the way to go if its aluminum. Maybe a layer of paint won't harm things too much though??

[dougyfresh]

I'm not painting, but curious what paint you guys used. I can't think of a paint that wouldn't affect the heat transfer, I would think anodizing is the way to go if its aluminum. Maybe a layer of paint won't harm things too much though??

Radiator paint:
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT


I just bought some and will be painting my FMIC.

Thanks for the input here. I am using some steelwool and maybe 300grit paper to scuff it up. I'll then degrease it and put a few very thin coats of my Eastwood Radiator Paint.

Black AutoSpeed FMIC here we come!

[onemoremile]

Eastwood does also have a paint prep that can be sprayed on. I'm not sure how you would wipe it off the fins though. Probably just spray it on, let it sit, and then rinse with distilled water. Blow it out with a blow gun and/or let sit in the sun to dry before painting.

With radiator paint it is even more important than normal to use several very thin coats. Even after the first couple coats it should look like a smoked clear. Most that I've seen have had 4-10 very thin coats. This lets it dry evenly and prevents buildup in the fins.

This paint when properly applied will not hinder performance and will actually increase the surface area used for cooling. It decreases the void area for cooling air to flow through but not enough to cause a drop in performance. The paint should also prevent oxidation which will maintain efficiency longer.

Anodize is still the best since it protects inside and out with a very thin and consistent layer.

[andyrew]

High temp engine paint (500 deg), semi flat by duplicolor

I just checked... still looks good! :)

[biketsai]

High temp engine paint (500 deg), semi flat by duplicolor

I just checked... still looks good! :)

I def would have picked some of that stuff up, but I heard that it traps heat.

[dougyfresh]

What is a good degreaser to use?