I did what several others have done which is cheap and easy. I used Scotch-Bright to give the panels a brushed look then covered them with Shark Hide. I did this in the engine compartment as well. I prefer this look to dark panels done with powder coating or under coating. I did use Rust-oleum under coating in the wheel wells and on the F panels which is available at Lowe's (they offer two, use the higher priced one).
I wound up using flat black spray paint on the inner radiator panels.
I used an Eastwood radiator paint for the radiator. No negative effects on cooling with the Eastwood paint...just use light coats and only enough for it to cover.
I think it looks more finished with the mouth all blacked-out.
I ditched the aluminum panels and made some new ones out of black ABS plastic. I made the side ones bigger to cover the quick jacks. Painted the aluminum front part of the radiator black so it is blacked out. I like how it came out. The ABS is very easy to work with.
A little off topic, but I have the rad set at 51° with the breeze hinge and bottom support. Would you suggest I put the body back on before I rivet and silicone, or do they usually require trimming? Interested in the abs option too. Thanks for all the input. -- Mike
X2 on Mike Eversons insert but I left mine silver to match the radiator. Gives it a much more finished look and was easy to install after paint. Also used the Breeze mounts for the radiator top and bottom and the upper cover over the top by the hood hinge. You'll probably want to protect the bare aluminum one way or another. Clear powdercoat, sharkhide, rattlecan paint or clear, it makes for easier maintenance. Good Luck!
+2 on the upper cover. Directs 100% of the incoming air into the radiator when used with the one piece duct. Also looks good when the hood is open:grin2:
I powdercoated those instead of using sharkhide, matching the frame color. To step up the front nose treatment (and overall build quality, IMO) then finish with lower radiator shroud. I made this myself, working from paper templates to galvanized steel template and then finally to polished stainless steel that I rimmed with black trim and engine turned:
A shroud is actually pretty cheap to make, and at least one vendor has them for sale.
Finally, NOMEX painted black - as shown above - can be inserted below the lower fan shroud and will protect your radiator, and look nice.
I used the FFR-supplied pieces to make my own custom pieces that fit a bit better. If I remember right, I made them out of .060 thick aluminum vs .040 for extra stiffness - so stiff the bottom piece didn't need to be attached at the front, just riveted to the radiator. I polished them up nice, just needs a bit of Mothers polish each spring, still looks good 10 years later.
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