Spraying a Rad Core?

[Xrqute]

As some of you may know from previous posts of mine that I'm in the process of doing some major changes to my system some for performance others to just make my rig look amazing and crisp.

An idea that has been floating around in my head for the last few weeks is to disassemble my Rad's, remove the cores from their housings and then spray paint the cores (or housings for that matter) to match the colour scheme of my build. I think it would add that next level of detail. (I've never seen a core colour different from stock unless it came form the company that way)

But then of course the questions start popping in my mind-

1. Is this just a flat out NO NO!?

2. Will the performance Non-effected, Major-effected or noticeable (yet tolerable)

3. Is there a special type of paint id have to use or would normal spray paint be fine?

 

[Cru]

I have no idea how much the performance would be affected but I can't imagine in being good after painting it. just don't...

 

[tinytomlogan]

Its not a great idea, especially if youre not that good at spraying, the more you put on the more effect it will have.

If youre worried about performance dont do it. If youre doing it just for looks then ignore everything else

 

[Dragolu]

It can be done with adequate masking. The tanks and housings do not affect cooling so as long as you adequately mask the core on both sides very carefully and block the inlet and outlet ports it should be fine. If you absolutely need to paint the core, sponge painting the top of the fins very carefully may be ok but has the potential of degrading performance, especially if the paint runs. I would not recommend spray painting the core.
All of this will likely void the warranty and has the potential to degrade performance if the paint gets into the core so proceed at your own risk.

 

[alpenwasser]

In one of my thermodynamics courses we did some calculations about thin coats
and heat dissipations.

Granted, it's been a while, but if I recall correctly, as long as you don't overdo it,
the performance hit shouldn't be too bad. Most rads you can buy these days
have painted cores anyway, but usually the fins are not painted completely, it's
just the edges. I'd recommend doing it like that, if you really want to do this.

So, with reference to your list:
1. It is allowed, but usually discouraged IME.
2. I'd say (just an educated guess though) the performance hit would be
measureable, but tolerable (if done right).
3. A heat-conductive paint would be ideal, but I have no idea if something like
that exists (apart from paint with metal particles in them), let alone if it's
available to the average DIY'er.

EDIT:
Another question came to mind: Assuming your rad is already painted
black, would you just paint over that, and if so, how much paint would you
need to apply in order to properly cover the black? If you need a lot of
paint, the performance hit might become significant.

 

[Xrqute]

In one of my thermodynamics courses we did some calculations about thin coats
and heat dissipations.

Granted, it's been a while, but if I recall correctly, as long as you don't overdo it,
the performance hit shouldn't be too bad. Most rads you can buy these days
have painted cores anyway, but usually the fins are not painted completely, it's
just the edges. I'd recommend doing it like that, if you really want to do this.

So, with reference to your list:
1. It is allowed, but usually discouraged IME.
2. I'd say (just an educated guess though) the performance hit would be
measureable, but tolerable (if done right).
3. A heat-conductive paint would be ideal, but I have no idea if something like
that exists (apart from paint with metal particles in them), let alone if it's
available to the average DIY'er.

EDIT:
Another question came to mind: Assuming your rad is already painted
black, would you just paint over that, and if so, how much paint would you
need to apply in order to properly cover the black? If you need a lot of
paint, the performance hit might become significant.

Times like this I wish I had a spare Cpu block because I'd do some testing with a 120mil Rad I have laying around!

Its not a great idea, especially if youre not that good at spraying, the more you put on the more effect it will have.

If youre worried about performance dont do it. If youre doing it just for looks then ignore everything else

TTL since I'm sure you'd have the ear of many a water cooling manufacturer you should suggest this as an idea to them. Bring out Rads with Black housings but Coloured cores like Red, Green, Blue maybe even UV reactive? Rather then them being painted black initially at the factory. Because personally I think its another cool way to add abit more personalization to your rig.

 

[RadeonHDx]

Don't quote me on this, but IIRC I remember that I saw in one of TTL's videos that the had painted a rad green for one of his customers back in the day. I know TTL has already given his opinion on this but I was wondering if he could remember from personal experience how successful it was.
But then again I could be wrong .

 

[Gamepro105]

If you are going to paint it then you should try to carefully beed blast the original coat on the fins so you get down to the bare metal try not to use a massive pressure and try to use older beads that have already been fired once to get the original coat of gently then maybe lightly spray paint from a distance, I'm not sure how well powder coating would work.

 

[BigDaddyKong]

http://www.pureoverclock.com/Review-detail/xspc-ax360-radiator/5/

Take a look at this about painting a rad core. 0.1C difference.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Why not just get an XSPC AX series rad and paint the shroud? You won't be looking at the core anyway.

 

[Xrqute]

Why not just get an XSPC AX series rad and paint the shroud? You won't be looking at the core anyway.

All my Rads are XSPC AX series

 

[NeverBackDown]

Then spray to shroud?

 

[Mysterae]

Alternatively, you could try dry-brushing the edges of the fins, not sure it would give the effect your after.