Natural or painted finish engine

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 30, 2014 | 03:49 PM

Beltdriven

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 185

Likes: 3

From: Delta BC Canada

Natural or painted finish engine

Would the natural finish or polished be a cooler running engine as compared to the painted engine because of perhaps the insulating effect of the paint affecting heat transfer in a negative way?Or does it matter.

Dec 30, 2014 | 04:02 PM

Beemervet

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 6,590

Likes: 444

From: Ohio

If there is a difference it is negligible.

Dec 30, 2014 | 04:11 PM

Dr.Hess

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 8,200

Likes: 3,089

From: NW AR

Yeah, over the years I've heard that a wrinkle finish will provide more cooling area than plain aluminum, but I doubt you could ever measure it outside of some type of thermal lab. It's not like these bikes are on the bleeding edge of cooling capacity. Add an oil cooler and never worry about it again, if that's your concern.

And I've kinda got to where I like the bare aluminum color over black paint, and especially over peeling black paint.

Dec 30, 2014 | 05:19 PM

SeaZund

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 1,290

Likes: 7

From: D/FW Texas

I like black jugs and non-painted heads

Dec 30, 2014 | 05:25 PM

Schex

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 5,816

Likes: 7,847

From: SE Louisiana

I like jugs too, any color.

Dec 31, 2014 | 06:07 AM

D_gyver

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 913

Likes: 5

From: indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess

Yeah, over the years I've heard that a wrinkle finish will provide more cooling area than plain aluminum, but I doubt you could ever measure it outside of some type of thermal lab. It's not like these bikes are on the bleeding edge of cooling capacity. Add an oil cooler and never worry about it again, if that's your concern.

And I've kinda got to where I like the bare aluminum color over black paint, and especially over peeling black paint.

not to say this isn't true. but if it is true then why don't they paint heat sinks in computers with wrinkle paint?

Dec 31, 2014 | 07:35 AM

Crashone

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 2,721

Likes: 243

From: NC

"but if it is true then why don't they paint heat sinks in computers with wrinkle paint?"

Seems like there is more air movement around an engine kicking down the road than there is around a heat sink being air cooled by a small fan kicking around the internet.