Black intercooler

[jerrad]

I'm wanting to make my core/piping black but don't know how to go about it.
I know I can paint/PC the piping and it won't be an issue but I don't want to ruin the core with paint or PC.

I'm thinking the best way is to anodize the core but no one in my area does the work. Is there another way to get the black look without ruining the efficiency?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[ramsack]

I wouldn't touch it if you can't anodize it. Anything will be too thick and ruin its efficiency. Black anodizing actually helps radiate heat out of the part.

 

[Kingcof22]

have you looked at an ETS Kit. thats what im going with and it comes in black

 

[SD99GST]

Yep. the anodize is the way to go. There is a few places, legit to, you send your items in via shipping and they return them anodized for great prices. I have some numbers written down somewhere, ill see if i can post them.

As far as piping goes, most of us fellas here in San Diego like to Powder Coat. Leaves a very nice resistent finish in a assortment of colors.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Like stated before me, do not paint your intercooler..It will actually hurt the efficiancy of the front mount..Although if you anodized it I would like to see a black anodized FMIC..

 

[ramsack]

Painting it won't hurt it if it's thin enough, but then it would probably not be protective and be pointless.

 

[jerrad]

I guess the search is on for an anodizer.
Thanks guys.

 

[LiquidX]

The issue you may run into anodizing it is if the quality of aluminum is too low the anodizing process will corrode the core.

Take for instance my IC kit. I have the VRSF and although it's a very effective kit for the money, trying to weld the pipes is a complete pain in the ass because of the low quality aluminum used.

 

[SD99GST]

I haev a intercooler sitting in the garage I got from "Gofer". Its a Hahn Frontmount and he had it anodized. It looks great. But now that you mention it weakening the aluminum might be the reason it now has a leak... Hmmm, Im curious to know now.

 

[gofer]

+1 Rene, I didn't even take that into consideration.

Painting does effect the overall efficiency of the intercooler trying to cool the charge of air passing through it. The fins are designed in a way so that they dissipate the heat and when covered by spray paint, if its thick enough, they won't be as efficient. Sulfuric anodizing leaves a 25 micron (0.000984251969 inches) protective coating on the intercooler and actually increases its ability to dissipate heat.
Keeping a consistent spray paint coat thickness is damn near impossible and depending on the type you use could also determine how thick each coat ends up. You'll also find that the paint covering the fins actually holds the heat in which is exactly the opposite of what you want.
If your going to pay $400 to $1500 on a FMIC why in the hell would you go buy a can of Krylon and rattle can it? Anodizing protects it, allows it to cool better, and will last the life of the intercooler and you can still make it whatever color you wish.

There is a paint designed to spray onto radiators, it would be my last resort though.
Radiator Black

 

[jerrad]

I called a place in Dallas and they said it would be $100 for the core.
I asked about the process corroding the core and he said it wouldn't be an issue. Not sure if he says that because he wants the 100 though.

I called another place and they said if the aluminum is cast and there is alot of "trash" the process could effect the metal some. Both seemed like it was a non issue.

 

[LiquidX]

Sounds good then. I'm only basing it off of what I've read up on.

 

[jerrad]

Sounds good then. I'm only basing it off of what I've read up on.

I appreciate the heads up too.
I'd hate to get it done and turn the core into a strainer.
I'll probably call a few more places to see if they have any different opinions.

 

[BigBeans]

I put a very light dusting of flat black spray on mine.

Putting a very thin layer on the front of the core isn't going to dramatically change the efficiency. Keep in mind that you're dusting the first 1/8" of fins that are typically 3-4" deep.

I wouldn't put multiple layers, but i like the stealth black look and i don't feel like it cost me any cooling ability.

 

[LiquidX]

I appreciate the heads up too.
I'd hate to get it done and turn the core into a strainer.
I'll probably call a few more places to see if they have any different opinions.

I don't think it was enough to cause holes but it would affect the air flow enough through pitting and what not.

I'll see if I can dig up some of those threads I read. I would trust the anodizers more as it's their business to know what happens during the process.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Will someone post a pic of a black intercooler please, I want to see how sexy it looks.Thanks..

 

[yukiz]

Law of physics, black color will absorb more heat than other color.
Also takes longer time to release heat...

 

[Bud92gsx]

Your very right on that one but you forgot one thing..As long as your driving down the road air is going to be hitting it, dissapating the heat soaked up by the sun..

 

[gusu]

Heatsinks for PCs work pretty closely to the same way a intercooler works, yes there are major differences but the idea is the same.

High end RAM ONLY comes anodized, it helps with heat transfer and allows it to dissipate quicker.

However the process in which it is done is most likely going to be way more advanced than what you would get.

I'm not sure how they do it outside of the PC world but it is something to think about and I'd love to see some real proof as to if it helps with intercoolering or not.

This is the only set up RAM I could think of off the top of my head since I haven't needed that extreme of a system since that time.

Anyway here you go.

Corsair introduces new RAM water cooler - Corsair, Dominator, Hydro, Ice, H30, T30, water cooling, Peltier - PC Games Hardware

 

[BigBeans]

Will someone post a pic of a black intercooler please, I want to see how sexy it looks.Thanks..

A little blk paint

 

[gofer]

Mine was anodized...

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[Bud92gsx]

I do like the sleek black paint..Makes it look much more stealthier..

Gofer, damm that is a sexy 2g..Love the black FMIC..Maybe I shoullda just looked at your profile..

 

[yoshi_tony]

A little blk paint

do they really move over or do they stay in front of you on purpose?

 

[hurricanecris24]

Anyone know any shops that could do it?

 

[ramsack]

They don't anodize RAM heatsinks for efficiency, they do it for looks. In case a lot of people haven't been following, around 5 years ago or so computers have developed into rice burners where people will decorate them with all kinds of lights and crap. I cringe every time I see case modding contests. Anodizing is nothing more than connecting some aluminum to a positive voltage, with the cathode already sitting in the solution, and the solution is sulfuric acid, and dipping it in there for a few seconds to give a thin oxidation layer, which is porous, and then they dye it.