Ducati Monster Forum

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 (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)

+1 on the Eastwood product.

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

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.

+ 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.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2457982295_0c828e7305_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2485135918_a2e37f1f1b_b.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2481245053_8aa578da90_b.jpg)

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

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

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

Thanks for the tip....

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.

Found some info on anodizing here...

http://www.streetchopperweb.com/tech/0408stc_anodizing_aluminum/index.html (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 (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-hard-anodizing.htm)

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

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

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

Ducati S4RS Testastretta Stainless Steel Radiator Guard

I went the form and function route and put some Cox racing radiator guards.  It added the black I was looking for but still left some of the metal color.

(http://www.mysimplelife.com/monster/IMG_2400.JPG)

GL!

So if I was to take the oil cooler off my s2r while the bike is cold am I gonna have oil going all over the place?  How much oil actually sits in the thing while it's cold? I've been meaning to do this all summer, but I've worried about the mess I might make.

Good question, i was thinking about how much oil is in there myself when bike is off. Adding the colored rad guards instead of painting eliminates that worry also though. Another reason to go that route.....

There is no much oil in there when the bike is off. Removing and painting the oil cooler is a simple thing.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3487289496_5132f7e8ca.jpg?v=0)

yeah, I have the COX racing oil cooler guard on the S2r and it is a great piece...but I still want to get blacker!

so I'll hunt down that eastwood product. they do a satin (which is matt).

the hypermotard's black radiator does look good!

now....how much oil is in there....and the cleaning process should be to wipe then degreaser then spray and wait?

thanks in advance.

I used the Eastwood paint on a radiator and it worked nicely.  No problems whatsoever.

There's not a lot of oil in the cooler, but it seems impossible to stop the drips.  Be sure to plug the holes and degrease before painting.

Did mine like a week ago. Came out aright, only time will tell how it holds up.  I just used some grill paint that I have used before with no issues.

Plan on doing this to my Oil cooler next week...