Radiator paint

[Farjo]

Most of the existing paint has chipped off. Can I use Hammerite Metal Pain or does it have to be high temperature stuff?

[darrsi]

BBQ spray is a tried and tested safer option, no point in finding out the hard way! 

[Kentish]

 Barbecue spray will look terrible. Use a Satin heat proof spray job done.

[stevierst]

BBQ spray is a tried and tested safer option, no point in finding out the hard way! 

I've used bbq paint before, and its looked ok. I've also used normal temp rated gloss spray on a streetfighter rad, and that did ok too.
Better quality paint, better the chance of a high quality finish though. :

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[darrsi]

Satin BBQ spray!

[Farjo]

So something like this: http://www.powertoolsdirect.com/hammerite-bbq-paint-aerosol-black-matt-400ml?utm_source=google&kwd=&utm_medium=merchant_pla&gclid=CODri-CCtbcCFXMRtAoduHAAAQ

Don't think I've ever spray painted anything before. I guess it's a question of taping paper to the bits you want left unpainted, then shaking the can and spray evenly all over?

[Kentish]

The original finish is satin/gloss

[simonm]

Most of the existing paint has chipped off. Can I use Hammerite Metal Pain or does it have to be high temperature stuff?

You paint radiators? won't the paint prevent the air from going through the fins and prevent cooling of the coolant? I thought you were talking about the engine fins or the downpipes.  I'm confused.   

[Farjo]

I tried writing where I mean, but a picture is easier:

Details Radiator painting

Radiator painting

[Chris]

Most spray paint will be fine. If you think about it, then there is coolant running through it so it doesn't get that hot and most paints will resist temperatures far beyond what you need anyway. I used normal gloss black spray paint for the metal coolant pipes that run down the front of the frame and they've been fine so far.
 
I have used high temp satin black bbq paint on my down pipes for my exhaust and it gave a really nice finish so I'm not sure why you think it'd look rubbish Kentish. There's no reason why you couldn't use high temp paint for the radiator, it just might cost more.
 
Chris

[Farjo]

Why does it have to be spray paint rather than paint-brush paint?

[darrsi]

Why does it have to be spray paint rather than paint-brush paint?

Better chance of a more even and smoother finish.

[Chris]

doesn't have to be spray, but as darrsi said, it'll give a much more even finish if you spray it.
 
Chris

[Dave48]

Have used Hammerite smoothrite black to renovate my top yoke(key scratches) also rear brake torque arm & will use for radiator sides & metal pipes when I strip cooling system to replace hoses & clips. The exhaust headers would require HT paint but as said the rad doesn't get that hot. If youre new to spraying practice on a piece of scrap panel first. Light even coats are the way to go

[simonm]

I tried writing where I mean, but a picture is easier:

Details Radiator painting

Radiator painting

ahhh. Nuff said.  I'd agree with Chris.  The exhaust will get hot but the radiator shouldn't get very much so.  The whole purpose of the radiator is to make the hot coolant cold so it should be cool(ish) unless you're potentially riding across the Mojave/Sahara desert...in which case I don't think you'd be worrying about the paint on your rad 


E&OE (I know nowt)

[Chris]

so to answer your original post Farjo, Yes, hammerite will be fine 
 
Chris

[Farjo]

Thanks for all the advice. As the radiator is a bit manky so I've decided to use a pain brush. It may look bad but me spraying it would look worse!

[simonm]

Thanks for all the advice. As the radiator is a bit manky so I've decided to use a pain brush. It may look bad but me spraying it would look worse!

Perfect excuse to learn to spray  .  I agree what painting a radiator with a brush is fine and will apply more paint for a longer finish too but my spray work needs 100% improvement and it's not going to get better by using a paint brush