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MG MGA - Radiator Repaint
| I am just about to take the radiator out for a repaint as the paint is beginning to flake in places on the header. I last did it about 8 to 10 years ago so it's not done too badly. At the time I just used relatively cheap Halfords spray grey primer and top coat. Does anyone have any better recommendations for UK-based paint products specifically for this relatively high temp surface? Otherwise I am considering using Acid 8 etch primer which I have in my stock, then Halfords spray paints as usual on top. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| My rad is out with the same purpose in mind Steve and so I am also interested in the answers to your question. I also plan to clean it out inside as much as it is possible to do using DIY methods and I wondered if anyone can suggest a good descaler for this. Cheers Colyn |
| c firth |
| I have had excellent results with using a high temp , engine primer with a gloss enamel paint. Note: I just paint the header tanks this way. For the radiator core surface... I use a black High Temp BBQ paint. The core I just paint a light coat just to have it black , so as not to inhibit heat transfer. The enamel paint seems to "bake' into a robust coating after a few heat and cold cycles. .. CR |
| C.R. Tyrell |
| Colyn I notice the Moss site is showing a new product: Eastwood radiator paint in gloss or satin. Correct me if I am wrong but I recall the radiator should be satin? Anyone used the Eastwood paint? Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Colyn, I used good old fashioned "Harpic" cleaner in my heater unit, worked a treat and cheap as chips. Regards Colin |
| Colin Manley |
| What you plan is an excellent idea. I always use an etch primer. |
| A Bowie |
| I used Hammerite gloss on mine - good after 10 years - but I think you are right Steve - it should be satin |
| Cam Cunningham |
| Cam Just had a look in Clausager. It says 'flat black'. I assume that means matt? Not to be confused with flat white coffee! Was your Hammerite a 'rattle can' (American term I believe for our spray can)? Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Hi Steve - yes it was a spray can - smooth gloss. The matt black looks too drab for my liking and would prefer satin finish next time. |
| Cam Cunningham |
| I also used Hammerite smooth black about 10 years ago and still looking OK. It is not too glossy especially as it ages. Matt black doesn't look right. Phil |
| p parmenter |
| Most gloss Black enamels will age to a "satin" sheen in a relative short time, as the top finish oxidizes. I did my rad 1-1/2 years ago now and the finish has not cracked or crazed but is a polished satin sheen now. ..CR |
| C.R. Tyrell |
| I think it is time to question my sanity. After such a mild winter why have I decided today, the coldest day so far, to work in an unheated garage to remove and refurbish my radiator? The modern Nitromors paint stripper is rubbish. I guess Europe has forced us to remove all the nasty additives that make it work. I would probably get a better result pouring Dot 4 brake fluid over it! - if I had any. Steve  |
| Steve Gyles |
| You are all aware that I do not have any overheating issues, but I was wondering, while I have the radiator out, whether to fit the MGB 7-blade asymmetric fan. Anyone done it? Any problems with clearance with the radiator etc? Any difference in efficiency and noise? Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Steve, I've noticed recently that Nitromors is useless. Trying to strip paint off back to bare metal on an old engine bay door ( from a VW Campervan) - two applications and it still hasn't got it off. Are you going to flush out the rad while it is off? Have you ever tried leaving cheap Cola in it overnight to do it? |
| Cam Cunningham |
| Cam I flushed it. Didn't need it. Clean water in and clean water out. Spotless. Even the coolant was crystal clear when it was drained. I have done 3 coats so far of Nitromors and in places it has not even taken off the gloss finish. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| This stuff is quite good http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Duty-Industrial-Strength-5-Litre-Paint-Stripper-5L-Paint-Stripper-Goggles-/111862132427?hash=item1a0b80aecb:g:eY0AAOSwLzdWSeum |
| p parmenter |
| Steve I have heard that the Moss 7-blade asymmetric fan is the best of all the plastic fans. It moves much more air than the standard fan and is also quiet running. The NTG fan that I used is really effective too but it is really noisy. (Daren't mention electric fans!) :-) Colyn |
| c firth |
| Steve...As you do not have any over heating troubles currently why go looking now....Keep the original !! Regards Rex |
| Rex Thompson |
| Rex is probably right Steve, your standard fan seems to already do the business and so there is no real need to change it. Its a pity we live so far apart, you would be welcome to borrow my NTG fan so you could do a back to back test to see what difference it made. When I first tried it on my car it dropped the temp immediately by 10 degrees F. That would probably make your car run too cold. Colyn |
| c firth |
| Rex You are 100% right - if it ain't broke don't change. It's just that I enjoy messing around with mechanical things and experimenting, that's how my stub stacks came into being, then produced by Steve Ash. I am quite happy to try the fan out and report back for the benefit of others. Also at the back of my mind is the increasing fatigue factor with these old metal fans. Not decided yet if I will proceed. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Tom Baker (other thread on running cool) appears to have answered my question about the 7-blade asymmetric fan. It obviously fits in the MGA okay and he reports that it shifts a lot of air. The fact that he now reports a cool running MGA would suggest it makes a huge difference to cooling. My radiator is now ready for painting, no thanks to Nitromors, but down to a lot of scraping and elbow grease. Just need the temperature to get back up to spraying parameters - might be a long wait! Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Don't know what you've decided to use Steve in the way of paint but in my experience Hammerite is not affected by the cold like normal gloss paints. Phil |
| p parmenter |
| Phil I am going for Hammerite smooth. I will likely make a temporary 3-sided 'tent' on my work bench with a my hot ScrewFix halogen flood light facing the open side and providing sufficient warmth. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Seems I may be in the dog house. Mrs G not that impressed with me using the utility room as an oven. My comment "I thought that's what utility rooms were for" was not well received. Steve  |
| Steve Gyles |
| Sounds familiar Steve, Back when I was racing 2 stroke karts I decided to use the oven to heat up the Villiers engines crankcases so I could fit the crank main bearings. I thought I had thoroughly cleaned and degreased the crankcases and so I was a little surprised to find that when I read entered the kitchen 30 minutes later, it was completely full of blue smoke. My wife was not happy that the dinner that evening and dinners for almost a week later, all tasted of Castrol R40! Colyn |
| c firth |
| My sentence was doing the Sunday roast! In return I was allowed to continue using the Utility room as the oven - spraying was done in the garage. I have to say that Hammerite Smooth spray paint was excellent to work with. I built up 4 coats as per the instructions, although I left about 30 - 45 mins between coats rather than the suggested 15 mins stated. It does not run, but flows together to give an exceptional finish. Better than any rattle can paint I have used before. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Starting to put it all back now. I have fitted the MGB 7-bladed asymmetric fan. It went on no problem as I have the 1800 with the MGB water pump. But it raises a question in my mind that someone may wish to clarify. My water pump has two sets of 4 tapped holes. One set has 6cm between opposite bolt holes (suitable for the MGA fan). The other set, which is needed for this fan is 4.5cm between opposite holes. My question is does the MGA water pump have this smaller set of holes? Just a thought for anyone else wishing to go down this route. Steve  |
| Steve Gyles |
| Hi Steve I changed my water pump last year and am 99% certain there was only one set of screw holes Graham |
| Graham V |
| Thanks for that Graham. I might start a new thread on the fan so that it becomes more searchable in due course in the archives. I have just road tested the car - bit cold out there, barely above freezing. The radiator looks a lot better for its coat of paint. The fan certainly seems to draw through much more air than the conventional fan. The car ran at 170 to 173 compared to my bog standard 175 but how much that was due to the cold outside air and how much due to the fan is something to decide on a warmer day. However, I was pleasantly surprised how quiet it all was. Gut feeling it is less noisy than the MGA fan. I was far more conscious of the wonderful throaty exhaust sound and the car generally felt smoother and livelier. Seems odd that a different fan could give that changed perception. May be the greater airflow into the engine bay is allowing the carbs to breathe better - who knows?! Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Steve, Performance change due to cold and dry air I suspect. Regards Colin |
| Colin Manley |
This thread was discussed between 11/01/2016 and 20/01/2016
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