powder coated intercooler?

[silver///M3]

Hi guys

is it ok to powder coate the intercooler black? is there any bad effect ?
Thanks

[redronin]

no some people do it for the sleeper radiator look.


(fyi if i dont know the asnwer to a question i make one up, but im 90% that its ok. i dont see why it wouldnt be)

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Hi guys

is it ok to powder coate the intercooler black? is there any bad effect ?
Thanks

Not if you happen to have the sun shining on the intercooler all day. Otherwise you will be ok.

[PYRITE]

LOL just put a piece of black cardboard infront of it instead :thumbup:

[MarvelPhx]

Lightly coat it with a coat of black hi-temp radiator paint. I did it and it works fine. I wouldn't anodize or powder coat them since it actually changes the metal and could affect its evaporative/conductive properties and make it less effective.

Lots of factory radiators are painted black and work just fine.

[m3cabrio]

Lightly coat it with a coat of black hi-temp radiator paint. I did it and it works fine. I wouldn't anodize or powder coat them since it actually changes the metal and could affect its evaporative/conductive properties and make it less effective.

Lots of factory radiators are painted black and work just fine.
I agree , 1500 dg paint is the best .

[silver///M3]

Thanks guys, I really hope it wouldn't have any side effects

[gripens]

I agree , 1500 dg paint is the best .

Where online could one buy this paint???

[LAFENGAS]

Powdercoating will actually insulate your intercooler with obvious negative effects of heat transfer reduction.

Annodizing isn't a bad idea, it actually increases the surface area and will help cool a bit better. Even though annodizng adds an oxidation layer, it's pulled from the existing aluminum (not putting a layer on the aluminum) to the aluminum, a thick annodized layer is generally only .002" thick. Think of it as your are expanding the surface of the aluminum, not adding to it.

cliff note:

Powdercoating: bad, because you'll be insulating your intercooler
Annodizing: good - increased surface area, increased cooling.
painting: better then powdercoating, not better then annodizing.

[silver///M3]

Powdercoating: bad, because you'll be insulating your intercooler
Annodizing: good - increased surface area, increased cooling.
painting: better then powdercoating, not better then annodizing.

looks like anodizing will be the most expensive option am I right.

[LAFENGAS]

looks like anodizing will be the most expensive option am I right.

anodizing is fairly cheap.... i can't give you an exact price, but you're looking at probably less then $50, which is likely cheaper then powdercoating.

One thing, before you annodize, make sure all your connections are welded, not glued or the process will break the glue down and you have sealing issues.

--josh

[silver///M3]

One thing, before you annodize, make sure all your connections are welded, not glued or the process will break the glue down and you have sealing issues.

--josh

can you explain more please. lets say I want to anodize an interooler what steps should be involved?

[LAFENGAS]

can you explain more please. lets say I want to anodize an interooler what steps should be involved?

check to make sure your cooling cores are WELDED to the end tanks. Welded aluminum looks like a stack of dimes that have been tipped over. They look like this:

http://www.airproducts.com/NR/rdonlyres/2E5A95BB-892C-4E85-8425-69CF5750EF49/0/alumaxx1.gif

and this:

http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/support/rc/weld_alum_.jpg

if it doesn't look like that or if they are gold in color (brazing) then it won't work. The annodizing process will break down glue and brass (the gold brazing) leaving you leaks.

that's all you have to do, the annodizing place does the rest, you just choose a color. If you have trouble identifying these things, i'm sure the annodizing place will help you.

that's really all there is. Basically just give them the aluminum. :thumbup:

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Thanks guys, I really hope it wouldn't have any side effects

Search for Shinobi on this forum. He painted his IC matt black. Well, he requested it to be painted black. Zolti from TE did the job.

IC efficiency depends on forced and natural convection and very seldom absorbs heat through radiation. It's not like you will have a heat source right in front of the IC.

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Can you elaborate on the "insulating" aspect for powercoating?

cliff note:

Powdercoating: bad, because you'll be insulating your intercooler
Annodizing: good - increased surface area, increased cooling.
painting: better then powdercoating, not better then annodizing.

[LAFENGAS]

Can you elaborate on the "insulating" aspect for powercoating?

Your adding a smooth 2-5mil thick layer to the outside of the intercooler. This will reduce the heat tranfer properties.

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

You're adding a smooth 2-5mil thick layer to the outside of the intercooler. This will reduce the heat tranfer properties.

Got it.

Now, what's your take on the surface roughness in terms of Rz for the 3 methods?

[SLMS]

for Black Paint radiator paint which they sell doesnt affect the Efc of a intercooler.

Powdercoating will its very thick

[Shinobi]

:eeps: :thumbup: Black Radiator Paint

http://www.shinobibmw.com/MessageBoardFiles/surgery.jpg

[silver///M3]

awesome thanks guy, shinobi is that your car? what paint brand did you use? More info please :)

[Shinobi]

awesome thanks guy, shinobi is that your car? what paint brand did you use? More info please :)
Yup, that's mine alright...Samir took a pic of it while she was in the Technik shop a couple of months ago. I just picked up a can of radiator paint from the Pep Boys while I was there. Nothing special. The intercooler is still visible in direct light of course, but doesn't stand out nearly as much, which is what I wanted :mischief:.

http://www.shinobibmw.com/MessageBoardFiles/newLook_03.jpg

[LAFENGAS]

Got it.

Now, what's your take on the surface roughness in terms of Rz for the 3 methods?

I don't have any exact numbers, plus it varies from paint to paint and powdercoat to powdercoat.... but my guess, based on averages would be:

Lowest Rz to Highest Rz (smoothest to roughest)

1.) Powdercoat
2.) Paint
3.) Annodizing

[omes]

My FMIC is black as well, same stuff Shinobi used. totall sleeper look!:shhh: :evil:

[MSpired]

Do they make white radiator paint? Can you anodize 2 seperate colors?

[clean-m-tech330]

Yup, that's mine alright...Samir took a pic of it while she was in the Technik shop a couple of months ago. I just picked up a can of radiator paint from the Pep Boys while I was there. Nothing special. The intercooler is still visible in direct light of course, but doesn't stand out nearly as much, which is what I wanted :mischief:.

http://www.shinobibmw.com/MessageBoardFiles/newLook_03.jpg

....way to "ninja" your intercooler lol- wassahh!!

[mike@technik]

Thought I would chime in here:

With an intercooler you want to use a "Thermal Dispersant". As mentioned previously by "Lafengas" you will want to avoid powder coating because it’s a Thermal Barrier which will retain heat.

Thermal Dispersants

Effective on Brakes, Intake Manifolds, Cylinder Heads, Oil Pans, Radiators, Intercoolers and more.

Being able to move and control heat is of tremendous importance. Excessive temperature can lead to metal fatigue, boiling fluids, damaging metal expansion, reduce electrical efficiency and a host of other problems. Traditionally dealing with heat has been handled either by expanding the radiating surface, constructing parts from materials that are more heat conductive and using the color black. With advances in thermal management methods additional ways of enhancing heat transfer now exist. Our supplier, TECH LINE has developed a Thermal Management System™ . Individual products such as TLTD can be utilized by themselves or in conjunction with other coatings to manage the flow of heat. TLTD is capable of transferring heat faster than the bare metal surface. While TLTD does make use of the color black, TLTD is more than a simple "black body" heat emitting coating. TLTD includes ingredients that also contribute to increased heat flow. Combining these properties with increased corrosion protection and the thin film application technique, maximizes thermal transfer capabilities.

TECHNIK now offers:

• Thermal Dispersant Coatings (Intercoolers, Radiators, Brakes, etc)
• Thermal Barrier Coatings (Headers, Exhaust),
• Dry Film Lubricants (Pistons, Valves, Valve Springs etc.) and general Powder Coating.

Please PM me if you have application specific questions.

Mike

[m3mobbin]

Although paint may seem like a cheaper alternative I would pay the extra cash and get your FMIC anodized, a buddy with a turbo'd e36 m3 painted his with black high heat and half the paint has been chipped off the intercooler. Anodizing is much harder and more durable and will better handle rocks...