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Painting aluminium heatsink

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Posted on September 29, 2015 at 13:38:18
Tims
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Joined: March 1, 2002
 Not sure if this is the right forum to ask but I want to paint my aluminium heatsink a matte black color to improve emissivity(?) but not sure how to go about it.
Rod Elliott (ESP) suggests a thin layer of matte black automotive type lacquer is very good (link below) but will this stick to aluminium or does the heatsink need to be etched first?
Any thoughts on the above or other tips?

Thanks

 

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RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on September 29, 2015 at 14:40:46
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4385
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 Are they currently un painted?
Un-installed?
then get them Anodized - lot charge ~$50.00 +/- 50%...
otherwise I am not sure I would worry - unless you live near the coast (Salt water not fresh)
Happy Listening

 

RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on September 29, 2015 at 14:41:33
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2444
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 This might work!

 

RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on September 29, 2015 at 15:28:58
mrdavis842
Audiophile

Posts: 274
Joined: February 22, 2013
 VHT, Eastwood, PJ1, Moeller and Rust-Oleum all make paint for heat applications. I'm sure there are others also.

 

RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on September 29, 2015 at 16:23:40
Coner
Audiophile

Posts: 3703
Location: S.W. Washington state, USA
Joined: November 17, 2001
 The design and resulting surface area (fins and ribs on fins) has
the largest impact on dissipation than color. I would not bother
with paint. But if you must, you can get aluminum primer (also
used on un-aged galvanizing) at a paint store. Or get it bead/sand
blasted. You can use stove paint if you think it will get that hot.

 

RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on September 29, 2015 at 20:57:02
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Black or dark colored heat sinks are most often anodized, not painted.

I would question the effectiveness of paint vs just leaving the aluminum bare. Wouldn't a coat of paint actually hinder the dissipation properties of the bare aluminum by blocking cool air from reaching the aluminum... or blocking the heat from reaching the cool air?

I'm just guessing but it's something to think about. Somehow I don't think paint is the right answer.



 

RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on September 30, 2015 at 07:52:07
Hornlover
Manufacturer

Posts: 2529
Joined: March 8, 2002
 Why do you want to paint it? Is it overheating now? If not, leave it alone. A small fan makes far more difference than color. Just the slightest bit of air movement makes a huge difference.

 

RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on September 30, 2015 at 09:50:49
Jim McShane
Dealer

Posts: 5910
Location: Chicago
Joined: January 13, 2003
 The highest emissivity coating on a heat sink is black oil paint, second is a dark varnish, third is black air dry enamel and fourth is black anodized aluminum.

Black oil painted surfaces can have as much as about 25% more emissivity than black anodized sufaces.

Paint IS the right answer if you are looking for the best ability to get rid of heat. This is shown on page 6-1 of the National Semiconductor Voltage Regulator Handbook. This is a fantastic resource, and you can download it for free in .pdf form, the download link is below. It was out of print for years, so download your copy while you can!! It's FULL of great stuff to learn.

 

RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on September 30, 2015 at 18:51:34
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Thanks Jim! That IS good info. And thanks for clearing up the question on heat sinks.

 

RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on October 3, 2015 at 09:08:17
wheezer
Audiophile

Posts: 4309
Joined: January 24, 2001
 Perhaps that's why power trannys are coated as you described.

 

RE: Painting aluminium heatsink, posted on October 3, 2015 at 17:18:07
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3537
Joined: April 23, 2007
 As for ME...I wouldn't do it...however, you can get high temp Bar-B-Que spray paint. Good luck..

 

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