Painting heat exchangers

[need RX7]

Originally Posted by Pete_89T2

Why not just give it a thorough cleaning and call it a day? A good degreaser/engine cleaner and a pressure washer will do wonders on an AL oil cooler.

You'll have to get it really clean anyway before you paint it if you want the paint to last.

I'm just concerned about it getting all dull again once exposed to the elements without any kind of coating. You are right though, I will have to clean it thoroughly to paint it, so I'll see what it looks like at that point and make a decision.