The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Rattle can paint on radiator fins - how to clean?

Just picked a used radiator and I want to clean it up right before I put it in my '64. Yes, I'd have rather bought a new one ... but couldn't afford it and this will be my sole daily driver in a few weeks.

Thing is, there's a bunch of red spray paint across the fins on one side (see pic). The other side looks good. Wondering if the paint will even effect the performance ...

Of course, I don't want to damage the fins. I've read that oven cleaner can work well, and that a caustic soda dip works too. Any idea on what that should cost? Funds are tight and I'm not going for a perfect restore here, just want it to function well.

Any tips on cleaning (inside and out), the paint issue, and on a good install would be appreciated.

Radiator - side with paint

The better side ... but still some bent fins

Have used a can of spray brake cleaner to remove paint on small items. The cheap brake cleaner form chain stores works well for this. If its cheap paint it comes right off, good paint takes a little longer.
My only concern would be if it would damage anything on the radiator solder joints or fin material.
Good luck.

Take it to the car wash and soap it good then rinse at the highest pressure setting.

How about regular paint stripper and a bristle brush-make sure to protect your eyes. There are combs for fixing fins, however, just set the radiator flat while you watch your favorite TV program and get to it w/ the proper size screwdriver or other tool on the fins.

Dont even bother removing the red paint. Clean it up real well with soap, water, soft brush or whatever and paint right over the red. I would be afraid that if you tried to remove the existing paint, you will make it worse. If you want to try anyway, oven cleaner is an affective and easy to use paint remover.

i would just pressure wash and paint with a rattle can. radiator paint would be better if available. as far as straightening the fins. there isnt much from what i saw i wouldnt worry about them unless your a type a personality and just have to be perfect.

Oven cleaner, then the "engine degreaser" option at your local coin car wash will do a good job of eliminating what's there. If you want to repaint it use flat, not gloss paint, and spray at about a 45 degree angle so only the edge of the fins gets painted. The fins in the middle need to be left unpainted for the best heat transfer. That's how we did it when I worked part-time at a radiator shop.
Jerry

This is all really great ... thanks guys! A simple wash and radiator spray can coat it is!

Brake fluid will remove the paint without any damage to the radiator.
Pour it on the paint, let it sit, then rinse off. Clean with a degreaser.

....if you use a pressure washer be warned how close you get to it......its be like aiming a high pressure garden hose at the fins on your house a/c unit. Your now warned!!

I like the idea of just shooting some paint over and moooving on.

Might be a good idea to drop it off at a radiator shop, have them test it, clean it and paint it. If there are no leaks, it should not be much for a test and cleaning....

A good wire brush with straight wires works really good for straightening fins, just brush it like you would a dog!

Hear is a second warning about high pressure and fins, stay back and spray straight down on them.

To clean the inside on the cheap, fill with hot water and radiator flush once you cap the ends off, slosh it around and rinse out. You can get the worst of the crude out and make it useable.

For paint, buy the $.99 flat black from you local hardware store, it covers with out a lot of build up.

Joe