Radiator Color

[68bee]

Hi All,
I just git my original radiator for my AAR Cuda back from the Radiator shop after having it recored. They did a good job recoring it but the paint needs to be resprayed. Very light coverage and missed areas. Does anyone know the color from the factory, Gloss Black, semi-gloss, or flat black?
Thanks

[Burdar]

Most likely it was a really cheap gloss black that didn't have LOTS of shine to it.  I'd spray it with a semi gloss. 

[anlauto]

Eastwoods sells a "Radiator Black" spray paint, but from what I've heard, you should powder coat it because spray paint is not good.   Either way, it is a semi-gloss black typically

[JS29]

Especially from a jingle can, taken from a NON professional painter like me!     

[76orangewagon]

I think your safe using a rattle can on a radiator since powder coating is out of the question ...for the OP... make sure you get an actual Radiator paint since regular paint wont dissipate the heat properly.

[68bee]

Thanks for the help.
I was going to get the Eastwood Radiator paint but didn't know weather to get the Gloss or semi gloss

[headejm]

I used the Eastwood Gloss Finish and I think the sheen is spot on for the radiator. Since the radiator is made from copper/brass, the paint doesn't want to stick to it very well. The paint chips off easily and I've had to do some touch up work to it. I'm thinking of painting just the the top tank with a two part paint to improve durability. Not worried about heat rejection for just the top tank but I wouldn't use regular paint or powder coat for the rest of the radiator, like the bottom tank or the fins/tubes. 

[Chryco Psycho]

As above the rad paint is special paint , very thin to dissapate the heat properly

[anlauto]

I really like the colour of the new rads from Glen-Ray. Maybe try contacting Bob to see what he uses, I'm sure it's not from an aerosol can, but maybe he'll sell you a pint and you can spray it out yourself ? 

This could be a good side business for Glen-Ray....selling the correct appearing radiator paint 

[Bossgold]

also, my experience from painting other Radiators is your not supposed to glob it on in the core area. I read your thread and you stated the paint needed to be re-sprayed. I got to thinking that I hope it wasn't the core area he's talking about. It was suggested to cover the the tanks and sides with Eastwood self etching black primer (my radiator guy left my radiator bare metal) then to spray the Eastwood Radiator black to cover the tanks and sides. Then spray the cores so they are black but not to the same thickness and application used on the tanks/sides.  This was to keep thermal transfer at its best. Don't know if AAR's are Gloss or Satin/Semi Gloss from the factory but many manufacturers at that time used Satin/semi gloss

[JS29]

I worked at a radiator shop years ago, we applied the paint on the core in different directions. 

[Radiatorman]

I really like the colour of the new rads from Glen-Ray. Maybe try contacting Bob to see what he uses, I'm sure it's not from an aerosol can, but maybe he'll sell you a pint and you can spray it out yourself ? 

This could be a good side business for Glen-Ray....selling the correct appearing radiator paint 

It is more of a satin than anything.

Bob

[anlauto]

I really like the colour of the new rads from Glen-Ray. Maybe try contacting Bob to see what he uses, I'm sure it's not from an aerosol can, but maybe he'll sell you a pint and you can spray it out yourself ? 

This could be a good side business for Glen-Ray....selling the correct appearing radiator paint 

It is more of a satin than anything.

Bob

Is this Bob from Glen-Ray Rads ?  If so welcome to our little E Body site we have going here.

[Shane Kelley]

I really like the colour of the new rads from Glen-Ray. Maybe try contacting Bob to see what he uses, I'm sure it's not from an aerosol can, but maybe he'll sell you a pint and you can spray it out yourself ? 

This could be a good side business for Glen-Ray....selling the correct appearing radiator paint 

It is more of a satin than anything.

Bob

Is this Bob from Glen-Ray Rads ?  If so welcome to our little E Body site we have going here.

I was wondering the same. Went to his profile but doesn't say anything.

With that said. The paint on the Glen-Ray radiator is perfect in sheen and finish. Bob does a outstanding job on them. One of the common comments I hear when I pop my hood is how I have the best looking radiator they have ever seen.

[Radiatorman]

I really like the colour of the new rads from Glen-Ray. Maybe try contacting Bob to see what he uses, I'm sure it's not from an aerosol can, but maybe he'll sell you a pint and you can spray it out yourself ? 

This could be a good side business for Glen-Ray....selling the correct appearing radiator paint 

It is more of a satin than anything.

Bob

Is this Bob from Glen-Ray Rads ?  If so welcome to our little E Body site we have going here.

Yes it is!