powdercoating an intercooler

[bulb763]

Silver front mounted intercooler on my black Golf sticks out like a sore thumb so I want to make it black. Powdercoating seems best (as opposed to painting) as it will offer some resistance to stone chips.

Assuming the powdercoater does a good job and doesn't block up the fins, will black powdercoat affect its performance and is this something that I should be concerned about?

[Munter]

I would think powder coating will seriously reduce the performance. Essentially you're insulating the intercooler from the air...

Could it be anodized?

[stevieturbo]

I would suspect powder coating to be a bad idea for the efficiency of an intercooler. Its bound to clog up the fins.


Your other option for colour, would be to have it anodized.

But spray paint will be the handiest

[Munter]

According to Wikipedia anodizing might not be a good idea either...

"Anodized coatings have a much lower thermal conductivity and coefficient of linear expansion than aluminium. As a result, the coating will crack from thermal stress if exposed to temperatures above 80 °C. The coating can crack, but it will not peel.[6] "

[bulb763]

Just what I thought. I want a coating that won't mean I'm having to touch it up every week because of stone chips. I'd rather leave it bare if there isn't one that won't affect the cooling too much. Paint is out and I gather that anodising isnt particularly tough either otherwise it would be perfect.

[bulb763]

Munter said:

According to Wikipedia anodizing might not be a good idea either...

"Anodized coatings have a much lower thermal conductivity and coefficient of linear expansion than aluminium. As a result, the coating will crack from thermal stress if exposed to temperatures above 80 °C. The coating can crack, but it will not peel.[6] "

not so perfect then :lol:

[stevieturbo]

If your intercooler core gets to over 80degC, then there are serious problems.


Paint is the most sensible option, and is used on many intercoolers all over the world.

[spend]

There are specific heat dispersal coatings that do the job. Just look at any of the ceramic coating places that have automotive coating products for heat insulation / shielding, lubrication and heat dispersal these days. (eg Techline - http://www.techlinecoatings.com/)

[eybic]

I have painted mine black and have seen no detrimental effects at all.

[CNHSS1]

http://www.blackperformance.co.uk/ceramic-coatings...

better than powder coating for an I/C and proven results

[tristancliffe]

Paint, anodising and powdercoating will all insulate the intercooling, reducing it's ability to work, and reducing power (albeit only slightly in the case of paint and anodising).

80°C is the coolest the intercooler is going to be operating at, in terms of the gases running through it. The surface temperature (i.e. the surface you want to insulate) will be quite a lot lower due to the cooling of air over it.