1971 b body rad color

[Gary Masse]

What is the correct paint color that the radiator should be?

 

[toolmanmike]

This will be fun. I used satin black. It's not flat and it sure isn't gloss.

 

[gtx6970]

Black with just the slightest bit of shine.

 

[Kilrbee]

Originally the radiators were painted using Naptha reducer, The dry sheen depended on if it was a humid or dry day that it was painted. Long story short.. There is no 100% accurate answer so paint it whatever you feel looks like the best sheen to you.

 

[QuickBpBp]

This will be fun. I used satin black. It's not flat and it sure isn't gloss.

View attachment 1605611

View attachment 1605612

That's about right as far as an answer. I had an nos radiator and it was what I would call semi gloss to flat..

 

[RJRENTON]

That's about right as far as an answer. I had an nos radiator and it was what I would call semi gloss to flat..

From several months ago:
The reason for the black radiator paint is: the black color helps with the dissipation of entertained heat. It has everything to do with the black body radiation principle.....not cosmetic reasons. Thought you might like to know.... BOB RENTON

• RJRENTON
• Post #17
• Jun 8, 2021
• Forum: 1975 - 1979 Mopars

 

[QuickBpBp]

From several months ago:
The reason for the black radiator paint is: the black color helps with the dissipation of entertained heat. It has everything to do with the black body radiation principle.....not cosmetic reasons. Thought you might like to know.... BOB RENTON

• RJRENTON
• Post #17
• Jun 8, 2021
• Forum: 1975 - 1979 Mopars

I do know that and believe it or not when I first built my 64 Dodge the entire engine was painted black the first few years. I later pulled it and repainted it hemi orange...

 

[Sixpactogo]

I use Eastwood's Radiator black paint. It goes on thinner than some of the other rattle can paints. Stays on and looks good.

 

[toolmanmike]

Here's mine 10 years later. I used the satin from John Deere.