Expensive Intercooler paint worth it?
#1
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Expensive Intercooler paint worth it?
I'm looking for the sleeper look, so I have decided to paint my intercooler black.
So, do I need fancy radiator paint, or just any old sh*tty flat black paint?
See here: Eastwood Radiator Black Paint
"Standard engine paints are too thick for radiator use because they can interfere with heat transfer and block air flow between the cooling fins. Also, standard paint tends to flake off radiator tanks. Radiator Black helps solve this problem. Durable Enamel formulation resists temperatures up to 250ºF, gas and chipping. One can covers 6 square feet (most radiators require 2 cans). "
At $14.99 per can + shipping, this seems like an expensive proposition ($20+!!!). Marketing hype, or engineering marvel?
So miataturbo masses - what say you? Shut up and buy the expensive stuff, or still Shut up and slap some Walmart paint on it? Or just Shut up?
P.S. - How to prep intercooler before painting? Just wipe it with lacquer thinner, or will I need to hit it with some scuff pads too?
P.P.S. I was feeling remiss in not including a photo of anything, so here's something funny and vaguely related to the thread title:
So, do I need fancy radiator paint, or just any old sh*tty flat black paint?
See here: Eastwood Radiator Black Paint
"Standard engine paints are too thick for radiator use because they can interfere with heat transfer and block air flow between the cooling fins. Also, standard paint tends to flake off radiator tanks. Radiator Black helps solve this problem. Durable Enamel formulation resists temperatures up to 250ºF, gas and chipping. One can covers 6 square feet (most radiators require 2 cans). "
At $14.99 per can + shipping, this seems like an expensive proposition ($20+!!!). Marketing hype, or engineering marvel?
So miataturbo masses - what say you? Shut up and buy the expensive stuff, or still Shut up and slap some Walmart paint on it? Or just Shut up?
P.S. - How to prep intercooler before painting? Just wipe it with lacquer thinner, or will I need to hit it with some scuff pads too?
P.P.S. I was feeling remiss in not including a photo of anything, so here's something funny and vaguely related to the thread title:
#11
#18
Boost Pope
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Fools. All of you are damned fools.
Any heat which escapes from the intercooler gets blown straight back into the engine compartment.
We all know that nothing is more important than keeping under-hood temps down. Thus, the intercooler should be insulated in order to prevent it from raising the ambient temp of everything around it.
Any heat which escapes from the intercooler gets blown straight back into the engine compartment.
We all know that nothing is more important than keeping under-hood temps down. Thus, the intercooler should be insulated in order to prevent it from raising the ambient temp of everything around it.