Removing Old Paint from an Intercooler

[HyperV6]

I want to remove the old paint from my original intercooler and repaint it. How do you guys remove the old paint? Any tips would be appreciated.

I'm going to paint it with Eastwoods - radiator satin black.

Thanks, Craig

[VictoryTrans86]

you could use paint stripper

[TNTBuick]

I would probably have it hot tanked at a radiator shop. That would also clean it internally.

[turbofabricator]

A hot tank is a REALLY bad idea. The factory intercooler is sealed with epoxy internally, and a hot tank will eat the epoxy away, causing leaks.

I use two cans of spray "gasket remover". (available at any autoparts store) Coat the intercooler (I/C) with one can of gasket remover and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Spray it off with high pressure water and repeat the process. It takes some final cleaning with a pair of tweezers to get all the paint flakes out of the fins. THen give it a light coat of Eastwood radiator paint or just plain flat black paint. A light coat will not act like a heat blanket.

It'll take a few cans of brake clean to clean all the oil residue out of the inside of the core, too.

[HyperV6]

Yes - getting it dipped at a radiator shop isn't the thing to do. Thanks for the ideas. Craig

[TNTBuick]

Sorry for the bad advice. I did not know about the epoxy. Thanks for correcting me.

Does this also apply to aftermarket IC's, including a V4? I have used gasoline and paint thinner (wash grade) to clean the inside. Is this a problem?

Thanks

[aminga]

Soda blaster or 80 grit glass beads. I did mine earlier in the year with soda and then used underhood black Powder coat.

[Just a Six??]

Originally Posted by TNTBuick

Sorry for the bad advice. I did not know about the epoxy. Thanks for correcting me.

Does this also apply to aftermarket IC's, including a V4? I have used gasoline and paint thinner (wash grade) to clean the inside. Is this a problem?

Thanks

On the inside brake clean, carb clean, gas, varsol are fine if you just slosh around for a bit then empty it out. Do it a couple times & then I rinse with water. Then I hook up a big shop vac to one end with some cheese cloth on the other end & let it go for a hour! I turn it upside down while doing it. Some blow air thru as well but the shop vac can shoot dust & crap sometimes so be careful. Then a good air dry for a day or two & ready to go!

You can also fill with water, let sit for an hour & see if there are any leaks at the same time.

[TNTBuick]

Originally Posted by Just a Six??

On the inside brake clean, carb clean, gas, varsol are fine if you just slosh around for a bit then empty it out. Do it a couple times & then I rinse with water. Then I hook up a big shop vac to one end with some cheese cloth on the other end & let it go for a hour! I turn it upside down while doing it. Some blow air thru as well but the shop vac can shoot dust & crap sometimes so be careful. Then a good air dry for a day or two & ready to go!

You can also fill with water, let sit for an hour & see if there are any leaks at the same time.

Excellent detailed procedure. Thank you for taking the time to explain.

[NVRL8]

I have done a couple with glass bead. I did not blast the fins though. Just covered them (you can't see them when the intercooler is on the car anyway). I also used the Eastwood radiator paint. Used Satin. Matched very well.