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Painting condenser

vettman on Wed July 16, 2008 9:42 PM User is offline

Assuming the paint did not restrict airflow, is there any advantage/disadvantage with painting the condenser black? The new aluminum condenser stands out like a sore thumb through the grill of my '76 Ford F350. The OEM condenser was black; guess I will get used to it, but if there's no problem/reduction in efficiency, I'd like to make it look "original.

Thanks for any and all comments

JJM on Wed July 16, 2008 11:41 PM User is offline

Go ahead... light fog with flat black won't hurt anything. Just be sure it's high temp engine paint. There is an ever so slight performance penalty, but it's something that won't even be noticed.

Again, the operative word here is light... you don't want to end up mucking up the fins with paint.

Joe

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: www.ACKits.com

CCWKen on Wed July 16, 2008 11:59 PM User is offlineView users profile

Go to the Dollar Store and buy the cheapest flat black in a rattle can--About a $1. It has mostly solvent and very little solids, which is what you want. Another option is radiator paint but it's about $10 a can. In a pinch, I've even used black guide-coat paint. It's a low solids paint too and dries fast. You don't want engine paint. It's too thick. Most any paint is good to about 300*. If the condenser is getting that hot, you'll have bigger problems on your mind besides peeling paint.

-------------------------
Ken Kopsky

Custom Car Works
"Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools."

brickmason on Thu July 17, 2008 2:52 PM User is offline

Just the opposite here. Stripped the black factory paint off my 85 F150 condenser with air craft cleaner and got a 5 degree drop in vent temp at idle. Big difference!!!

Another thing is that the condenser was new so I know it was not clogged with debris or dirt.

-------------------------
Just another brick in the wall

Had a little mule I fed him castor oil and every time he jumped the fence he fertilized the soil

Edited: Thu July 17, 2008 at 2:55 PM by brickmason

CCWKen on Thu July 17, 2008 3:20 PM User is offlineView users profile

Oh, I agree but the paint is there to reduce corrosion as well as stealthy aesthetics. Once a nice clean radiator or condenser is coated in white or green "rust", it's value as a heat exchanger goes way down. A lot more than if covered with paint, I'm guessing.

-------------------------
Ken Kopsky

Custom Car Works
"Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools."

vettman on Thu July 17, 2008 5:31 PM User is offline

Thanks for all the replies; hope there will be more. Haven't made up my mind about painting yet. Maybe some observers will think it's just an intercooler for my turbocharged 460--not!

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