Hi,

at the moment I am about to install my new ebay fm intercooler. For the stealth look I'd like to paint the shiny little bling-bling-part matte black.

Is this a problem? Would it cause inefficencies? Any other negative side-effects?

I would be grateful for any advice, as I found nothing about that via the search button.

Thanks...

 

no side effects. mine is black.

 

I found some threads a while back by searching, but they're mostly just arguments about whether or not the paint affects the efficiency of the IC. I think the general consensus is that the paint is thin enough to not cause a noticeable effect. Just don't put it on too heavily and you should be fine. I'll probably paint mine this summer to make it not quite so obvious.

 

Glad you posted this. I'm going to be doing the same. I googled this a few days ago and a bunch of subaru forum threads seemed to indicate that it would be fine. Use Rustoleum BBQ high temp paint and dont lay it on too thick. Spray at a steep angle if you are spraying the fins.

 

Mine has been black for a year now. No problems.

 

mine's black. just painted the front which is a small surface area compared to the insides of the plates.

 

you sure got a mighty big IC in there.....

 

Brain settles it, I need to paint mine black.

P.S. your new sig is great.

 

I painted mine black about 5 years ago. no ill efects. no changes to inlet temp that could be measured. grab some krylon "car-b-que" and let it eat.

 

I swear I've seen some "radiator paint", or something to that effect, at autoparts stores. I don't know if it's some magical formula or anything, but I'd be tempted to use that over just some regular spray paint.

 

 

my other IC:




bling is for hustler.

 

THIS big:



parking is hard.

 

O.K. you convinced me... no bling for me...

 

**** I need to paint mine. Its just so pretty though. I guess I can paint it when I do my splitter and ducting:

 

I'm in the same boat as hustler. metaphorically speaking.

my Begi intercooler seems too nice to paint, but it sure is weird looking having it offset from center like that.

 

Uhh, ur intercooler isn't in the middle...

*sigh*

 

I'm going to paint one side black and leave the other side shiny. That way I can flip it around. Somedays having a stealth intercooler is boring.

 

Whenever I change to a slightly larger one, this will def happen.

 

I like the idea of painting one side and leaving the other shiny. Gives you the option to switch.