You're correct that the wrong paint, or especially too thick a coating of about
any paint, can be somewhat detrimental. But I really don't think it would cause
the kind of diffences you're seeing. The deal about paint is the color (black
is good), and the heat conduction properties of the paint itself. You don't
want to lay down an insulating layer on the fins and slow heat rejection. But
he probably used a standard type for radiators and you should be OK there, even
if he sprayed the fins. I can't really say for sure on that, but that's my
guess. Your radiator man can probably offer some insight; maybe he'll show you
the paint can and you can ask the paint manufacturer about it.....
If the radiator's at fault I'd be more inclined to think water flow is
restricted for some reason. If you don't mind pulling the radiator you could
ask him to check it if he's able. Too bad you couldn't pop in a known good
radiator to see if that helps! But it's unlikely you have one of those laying
around....
MD
--- "Gronberg, John" <john.gronberg@us.landisstaefa.com> wrote:
> This may be from left field but I remember from my VW days that you were not
> suppose to use any type of paint on radiators or heat transfer fins because
> it reduced the capability of the radiator to give off heat to the air. My
> nice rebuilt vertical flow radiator was painted "all" black, tanks and fins.
> While I haven't had a chance to ask him what he used, if it is the wrong
> paint could that reduce the effectiveness of the radiator THAT MUCH? There
> is suppose to be a special paint that actually helps the heat removal and it
> is called non-insulate paint. Like stove black paint used on pot belly
> stoves and such.
>
> Regards
> John Gronberg
> Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
> Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089-4513
> Phone: 847-215-1050 ex 5092
> Fax: 847-229-3658
> Email: john.gronberg@us.landisstaefa.com
>
>
>
===
Michael B. Dietsche, P.E.
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