How to paint EK Radiators with Tpbmods

Tpbmods · September 12, 2019

Hey everyone, Tpbmods here!
Today Im here to tell you, Stop painting your damn radiator fins... I mean, show you how to paint your EK Radiators!

Unlike pretty much every other radiator on the market, EKWB designed theirs to be taken apart.
The process is simple, can be done in a reasonable time frame(paint dependent) and takes nearly no real skill to pull off!

The Tools - All you need to pull apart your EK rad is a blade to pop the badge, a Torx T10 for the 8 screws in the top and bottom, and a 9mm Allen key for the extensions.

Sanding - Prep is key! The more time you spending working on the surface to be painted, the better your finish will be.
I personally used a palm sander and 180grit wet/dry to make quick work of the original finish.
You can do this by hand, with a power tool, sandblaster, or even paint stripper/Easy Off oven spray.

Once you're happy with the finish, clean the surface from all dusts and oils.
Because I am using a high pigment acrylic paint, my only interest was getting to some bare metal for paint adhesion.
I lightly put the screws back in because I planned on hanging these, and didn't want paint where it shouldn't be.

Painting - Like sanding, this can be done in many ways. My weapon of choice is high pigment, acrylic based rattle can.
Rattle Can, Airbrush, paint gun. Maybe you want to hit it with some alcohol stain or get it plated? Proper prep and patience is key
Here I hit the frames with a VERY light coat of chrome base just to have a strong and bright base to get my color to really pop.

After painting, it was time to wait. For some people, this can be hours or even days depending on the finish you want to go for, and the paint you are using.
With my choice in paint, my dry time is quick; and time between coats is even faster. And because I didnt want to bother with clearcoat, its done!

Now its time to very carefully reassemble your gorgeous new frame back around the interior core, taking extra care not to smash things around anywhere the frame comes in contact with itself.
The last thing you want, is chipping or scratching that fresh new look. Get the extensions reinstalled, and then re-apply your EK badge! Adhesive got ruined? double sided tape works wonders!

Hope this has been helpful, and I cant wait to see what you come up with

kirashi · September 12, 2019

18 hours ago, Tpbmods said:

Hey everyone, Tpbmods here!
Today Im here to tell you, Stop painting your damn radiator fins... I mean, show you how to paint your EK Radiators!

--SNIP--
Hope this has been helpful, and I cant wait to see what you come up with

Some of your images are broken, but otherwise the guide looks great! Nice work.