Radiator Paint or Replace?

[andybesy]

Hello Folks,

The paint on my radiator was flaking for a long time, now it's finally flaked off on either side revealing aluminum oxidization (i think?) on the rad. You know the stuff, a white powdery rough look.

I'm just looking for guidance as to if it's worth trying to paint it or not.

Is it likely to rot through quite quickly?

If I were to paint, presumably I'm going to have to clean up the ally oxide first, how should I go about that?

Or is this a case of it's just going to keep on rusting away under the paint and I'll be wasting my time.

Anyone recommend an after market pattern radiator?

Thanks, Andy

[misterjayb1]

As long as the ends of the rad arent to heavily pitted/corroded then I would paint no issues. Spraying always gives better results.. Simoniz Tough black is great but any regular black spray paint would do it

[Jules-C]

Clean as much of as you can and use a primer for aluminium and you shouldn't have any problems.

Delkevic radiators seem to be ok but some cheaper Chinese ones don't have the hose stubs at the correct angles which can make them a nightmare to fit

[andybesy]

Okay, thanks.

And am I right in thinking no steel or stainless tools when cleaning?

Perhaps just a scotch bright or similar would do.

I'll research aluminium primers this afternoon.

Andy