Radiator painting

[Munch]

What's the best way to have a radiator painted black?

[NorDog]

What's the best way to have a radiator painted black?

Remove, clean, dry, and then hit it with some radiator paint.

Check out...

http://search.eastwoodco.com/search?p=KK&srid=S7%2d3&lbc=eastwood&ts=custom&pw=radiator%20black&uid=993877797&isort=score&w=radiator%20paint&rk=1

[Capo]

+1 on the Eastwood product.

[Munch]

Anyone actually done this, how does it hold up long term?

[DucHead]

I painted the tanks (not the cooling fins) with hi-temp paint about three years ago.  I have a few small chips, but it's holding up quite nice.

If you have the $$$, get it hard anodized.

[Juan]

+ 1 on the spray painting, you will not go wrong, I did mine and have not had any problems with the  paint coming off or even cracking, it looks nicer IMO, and it complements what ever else is black on the bike.

[DucRS]

I'v been thinking about going black on the S4RS and was wondering if the removal of Radiator and Oil thingy are much work? Any pointers would help. And what is this Hard Annodizing (is it the same as regular annodizing)? maybe I'll go that direction. Thanx

[headingtonb]

Couldn't find suggested paint, think you could use the high temperature grill paint??

[TAftonomos]

Google Eastwood rad paint.  Buy the right stuff and do it right the first time.

[headingtonb]

Thanks for the tip....

[NorDog]

I'v been thinking about going black on the S4RS and was wondering if the removal of Radiator and Oil thingy are much work? Any pointers would help. And what is this Hard Annodizing (is it the same as regular annodizing)? maybe I'll go that direction. Thanx

Annodizing is not the way to go for the heat exchangers (radiator and oil cooler).  I think it correct to say that hard annodizing is just annodizing without any fancy color added.

Removal of the items from the bike and reinstallation should be straightforward.  Probably the hardest parts will be 1) not making a mess with the oil and coolant, and 2) getting all the air out of the coolant passages.

[NorDog]

Found some info on anodizing here...

http://www.streetchopperweb.com/tech/0408stc_anodizing_aluminum/index.html

...and some more info on hard anodizing here...

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-hard-anodizing.htm

[DucRS]

Thanks for the help. I'll show pics and my 2 cents when done.

[Brandovibe]

Paint on the radiator will look good, however the fins on that and the oil coller are still vulnerable to damage. I just installed these radiator guards on my S4RS and they are available in different colors and keep the fins safe from rocks. I will post pics i just am not sure how to...

here is the link to where i got em.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=280286961537

[Brandovibe]

if that link doesn't work, just go to Ebay and put this in the search:

Ducati S4RS Testastretta Stainless Steel Radiator Guard