Black Fmic Kit - Anodizing Vs Powder Coating Vs Painting

[QRI05E]

yea you can use any high temp paint but for $10 and him spraying it... i wouldn't bother doing it myself...

just my 2c

Cheers

[QRI05E]

Okay guys, decision time! I have searched with no results….

Powder Coating Vs Anodizing

1. Which is better?

2. Which last longer?

3. Which will act better as a heat “radiator”?

4. Which will be less restrictive for airflow and not clog up the fins?

Any further info would be great!

Regards,

Sarkis

[QRI05E]

Common guys... one of you should know which is better for a FMIC application

[QRI05E]

From what i have read up so far:

Anodising is "staining" the aluminium surface at a thickness of approx 0.3 - 0.5mm therefore not affecting its thermal properties.

So looks like anodising is the way to go...

Would really appreciate you opinion guys!

Regards,

Sarkis

[GTRgeoff]

As I said before, paint is an insulator, but radiator paint is designed for the job so if you must paint use that. Anodizing is no problem.

Powder coating - you may as well just go back to stock IC or blow up your engine now.

[Fixxxer]

Agreed....

Powder coating is thick and would also act as an insulator.

Scratch powder coating as a viable option.

Fixxxer

[QRI05E]

Thanks guys! I have also read that anodising can damage the IC fins due to the sulfuric acid wash.. is this true?

Would radiator paint fade/flake off the polished parts of the IC?

Regards,

Sarkis

[krizza_ca18det]

I have painted my intercooler black and can't see it making bugger all difference to it's efficiency if done sensibly. I masked up the rear of the cooler and the sides of the end tanks and only painted the front so it looks stealth but still allows the majority of it's surface area to be free of paint.

I bought good quality etch primer and matte black acrylic paint and laid a very light coat of each on the front of the core and end tanks. The primer was just to try and guard against stone chips etc. By masking the entire rear of the core you stop the majority of paint being passed through the core and coating the cooling fins. My cooler still works great.

[krizza_ca18det]

Forgot to mention, a mate of mine has anodised his cooler black and it didn't damage the fins in any way. Only complaint is that it looks a bit patchy (ie. not the same colour all the way across).

[QRI05E]

Thanks for the replies... i wanted to get my FMIC black for the stealth look rather then performance or cooling gains... so far it seems that a VERY light coat of radiator paint or Anodising is the way to go...

Got any pics please krizza_ca18det?

Cheers

[Chris_R33GTSt]

I would also be concerned about the durability cause a stealth black intercooler with stonechips/flaking paint will look very shit house and cheap. Would a black mesh insert over the intercooler be a better option and also guard against said stone chips?

[666DAN]

Anodizing would put on 5 micron layer (0.005mm) at best, so is a safer bet by far!

[QRI05E]

Yea true 666DAN... im going to call a few places and see what they will charge for Anodising a FMIC kit...

Cheers

[wsln33]

Yeah ring around and get a few prices. You have two options in getting it anodised or that radiator paint. If anodising doesnt wreck the fins or look patchy that seems the best option as it wouldnt stone chip. Let us know what prices you come up with for both as im going to get mine done as i prefer the stealthy factory look.

[QRI05E]

Will do... keep your eye on this thread and ill post up some prices and places in sydney... please feel free to do the same...

Cheers

[krizza_ca18det]

Here are a couple of pics I took of my cooler this arvo. Only one small stone chip after a year of use ( but plenty of bugs! ). I don't have any pics of my mates cooler but it doesn't look too bad. I can't help you with a price either, as his uncle owns an anodising business so he got it done for free.

[QRI05E]

Nice work! ill call a few places tomorrow and see how much they charge...

Cheers

[Cubes]

Very nice.

I'm all for the stealth look also.

[lastlineofdefence]

Sarkis have you seen the avo ones

http://www.avoturbo.com/avoshop/product_in...products_id=241

They make them in black and they use the existing intercooler lines. Easy installation. I will show you my stealthy kit next time.

[HRthirtyone]

anodising is so thin it is measured in microns. The longer they leave the item in, the thicker the anodising. Anodising is one of the most hard wearing and durable surface coatings you can possibly do. The intercooler would probably want 5-20 microns, BUT with some anodising on aluminium you get a very Cloudy/ Patchy finish, and can look quite bad.

If you choose to paint it, i would recommend using a thin first coat of etch primer. You can use any automotive paint/laquer on it, heat wont be a problem.....