My FMIC is starting to look a little grubby now, and I can't seem to find a way to easily restore the previous polished lustre. Got me wondering if I would be able to paint it? Ideally, I'd like to use the silver metallic I have in plentiful spply. Is this not advisable? Any method I should think about before attacking it (i.e what primer if needed?) Is there a paint which gives a polished alloy effect?

you would just be reducing its thermal efficiency

If your going to spray it/paint it. Do it in black.

Forge offer painted coolers so it must be possible.

If it's painted black I don't think thermal efficiency will be too bad

Forge have said that a FMIC painted black is more efficient!!!, Whether that statement was used to sell me a black one I have no idea!.

It would make sense for a black one to work better - must admit I'm kinda tempted now

I will resist though as too many other things on the go

Black really does help out alot. I promise

Red's a faster colour

'ang on... It depends what paint is used and in what thickness it is applied.

I suspect that a light dusting from a spray can isn't going to affect matters greatly...

Just don't use one-coat gloss and a paint brush...

Jase why not go all the way and get it silver-plated?

of course gold-plate is a better thermal conductor, but it wouldn't match your car.

Wonder how much that would cost at UK prices?

Doesn't black draw heat in, ever touched a black car thats been out in the sun. I would have thought white would be the obvious choice.

Better still use some Wonder Wheels and a small brush, brings it up like new.

Tricky one - you want it to radiate the heat for which black is good, but as for warming up in sunlight, black is really quite bad.

Hmm - doing nothing and giving it a clean every once in a while seems like a good plan

Doesn't black draw heat in, ever touched a black car thats been out in the sun. I would have thought white would be the obvious choice.

Better still use some Wonder Wheels and a small brush, brings it up like new.

I think that's the purpose of it. To attract more air.

How about yanking it, spraying it with some sort of aluminium cleaner - cheap and effective? Perhaps give it a good internal cleaning as well?

Better still use some Wonder Wheels and a small brush, brings it up like new.

Ah yes , forgot about trying the ultimate lacquer remover. I have tried some other stuff and worked it in with a toothbrush - But to no avail. Anyone got some WW lying about they're too scared to use on their wheels? I'll grab some at WSM meet

I'm WW and I dont do lying about

Must admit my car desparately needs a clean, will have a word with the valeter guy, apparently he is now able to just show up if you give him a buzz, rather than doing the 'whole office' in one hit. Hopefully he's about

Spray it matt black this gives more surface area and so more cooling

i asked the question in Shiftys twintercooler thread , but more because painting the intercooler black would give it a more stealthy look

i asked the question in Shiftys twintercooler thread , but more because painting the intercooler black would give it a more stealthy look

There is now a black twin fitted to a black car

black absorbs more energy but i don't know if it absorbs more heat energy or more light energy that it turns to heat? :rubchin: if its simply light energy then it will be no problem to spray it black and as said a matte finish will be better as being rougher it will "catch" more air and be more resistant to air passing over it so possibly cool more.

Was told at college that if you spray electrical bus bars in matt black they were able to take more current due to their ability to dissipate more heat.....believe me the NIC wouldn't do anything without proof ...so it must work

never heard that one myself, how interesting :rubchin:

From another source: Recommended to use zinc alloy paint. Sounds interesting.

I have some WW but not sure I will be along to WSM yet.

If I am I'll bring it along, but you will need to bring a bucket and water :p

Personally I wouldn't paint it with standard paints as they will just mean an extra layer of plastic stuff for the heat to get through before the air. Zinc alloy might help as it's just another layer of metal, but cleaning I think is best.