can it be done? i want to anno mine black to be less noticable.

 

????

 

I've seen a member on here paint theirs black. He claimed it didn't affect the function of the cooler.

 

it can b done. a regular type paint can b used. i wouldnt recommend powdercoating tho.

 

anodizing would have the least effect on the thermal diffusion properties of aluminum, as an oxide layer forms on aluminum already when its bare. I wouldn't be surprised if some didn't come anodized already

 

redlude's got it right, if you're going to change the color, anodized would be the best way to go b/c it'd have the least effect on the IC's thermal properties...if you painted/powder coated it, it'd trap more heat in, which is the opposite of what an IC is desinged for.

 

doesnt Nitrouz has his FMIC anodized?

 

Only anodize/PC the endtanks. It is not suggested to alter the fins themselves.

 

eastwood co. sells radiator paint? this may be a cheap option that doesnt really effect the cooling abilities of the I/C.

 

why is that? whether they are anodized or not, the oxide layer will form so it the thermal properties will not be significantly different

 

It's all about how you define "significantly different". Even Bell eludes to this w/r to paint or powder coat: http://www.bellintercoolers.com/pages/techFAQ.html

Yes, aluminum in the atmosphere thermodynamically forms an oxide skin of alumina. When you anodize, you a) increase the thickness of the skin and two, infiltrate some of the parent aluminum. The outer layer is porous, giving room for the dye for coloring, with aluminum hydrate formed on the outer most surface. The more you grow the anodized/oxide layer and the hydrate layer, the longer the diffusion path to the parent aluminum which takes away from your thermal efficiency. Sure, these amounts are small, as the coatings are 1/2-2 mils in thickness; however, air:air intercoolers are already relatively inefficient, I'll take every percent in efficiency that I can.

Most people PC or paint, and don't go through the trouble of anodizing a huge intercooler, which is even worse if you do the through-thickness of the core. Intercooler efficiency can be easily measured before and after anodizing/PC'ing/painting. I have performed many IC efficiency calculations on my own ride (unpainted/coated), you just need two TCs with readouts.

 

Yes, but anodizing would be the best option for the OP, who wants a black intercooler, Garrett recommends either anodizing or painting
http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbob...nter/faqs.html

 

Best option would be to leave it. Gun-to-my-head, I agree that anodizing being is the best alternative, and leaving the core, as 2nd best. Third would be anodizing the whole thing, core and all, "with negligible loss in performance", a la Garrett...

 

annodizing shouldnt affect the heat transfer like paint or powdercoating. this is something i rele plan on doing. cant you anno peices black?????

 

I agree the best option is no coating at all, but the OP asked how to get it black, and anodizing would be the best option

 

Read my post above. It certainly has SOME affect.

 

If I am not mistaken you can not anodize cast aluminum but you can anodize billit or sheet metal intercoolers such as those from Bell Intercoolers. This is what Bell Intercoolers told me at least.

 

I have seen cast aluminum annodized. My bicycle cranks are annodized gold and they are cast aluminum.

JET

 

I wonder if it considered plated? I remember there is a way of coloring it but I don't think it is called anodizing. Could be wrong though