VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Radiator color? Flat or Glossy?

I've been to three stores now and only one even knew what Radiator Paint was... the others tried to bluff me. Ha!!

And NONE of them had any.

So far I can only find the paint available at Eastwood. I think that it's important on the older cars so that they conduct the heat as efficiently as possible.

So that brings me to my question: Should the radiator be glossy or flat black?

BOth
http://search.eastwood.com/search?asug=radiator&w=radiator+paint&p=Q&ts=custom

or GLOSS
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-radiator-black-paint-gloss-aerosol-12-oz.html

or Flat (Satin)
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-radiator-black-12oz-satin-finish.html


In the past, we're pretty much agreed that there was "no flat black" paint on these cars. Only glossy. Would that also apply to the radiator? (now that I've read their site a little closer, it appears the flat (or Satin) is targed toward plastic look-alikes).


-Bill B

From the NOS radiators for older models that I saw years ago the paint had a fair amount of gloss to it....but not a high gloss. The 85% gloss sounds about right. The factory paint job was rather crude with poor surface preperation.

Did you check with the local radiator shops in your area for the radiator enamel? That's where I got the paint for my radiator.

The paint is really "watery" too so don't spray it on heavy or you will have a black floor along with a black radiator.

Gene is right.....the radiators were glossy, but not a high gloss.

I've had good results with Dupli-Color Semil Gloss Black

I think that the base for radiator paint is alkyd. It was always thinned with gasoline in the "good old days" radiator shops. Guess today mineral spirits or varsol is used.

Many utility and inexpensive equipment paints are alkyd based. A gloss or semi-gloss sprayed in one thin coat should do it. Tractor Supply has a line of alkyd paints.

Okay, thanks... I think I've got enough info... You'll be able to see how the 85% glossy looks at Flint. Thanks!!!

--Bill B

I used BBQ grill paint which has held up very well.