Print

[K3ZD]

I have a couple of big aluminum heat sinks that someone did a terrible paint job on.  I removed most of it using Aircraft Remover and then blasting it with a pressure washer but not all of it would come off, especially in between the fins and I can't get in there and scrub because the fins are too close together.  I'd like to get it all off but don't know what to do now. 

[KG4RUL]

Assuming they were painted black, there was no need to remove the paint unless it was so thick it looked like it was applied with a trowel.  Black is a good color to radiate heat.  The only place you need to remove paint is where the device to be cooled contacts the heatsink.

[K3UIM]

+1, RUL
K3UIM,
Charlie

[K1KIM]

Easy-Off Oven Cleaner.
And an old toothbrush.

Keep an eye on it. Prob needs  1/2 hour.

[W9IQ]

Assuming they were painted black, there was no need to remove the paint unless it was so thick it looked like it was applied with a trowel.  Black is a good color to radiate heat.  The only place you need to remove paint is where the device to be cooled contacts the heatsink.

This really depends upon whether the cooling is radiative or convective. However, paint in general increases the thermal resistance of the heatsink so anodizing is preferred for radiative cooling.

- Glenn W9IQ

[KG4RUL]

Assuming they were painted black, there was no need to remove the paint unless it was so thick it looked like it was applied with a trowel.  Black is a good color to radiate heat.  The only place you need to remove paint is where the device to be cooled contacts the heatsink.

This really depends upon whether the cooling is radiative or convective. However, paint in general increases the thermal resistance of the heatsink so anodizing is preferred for radiative cooling.

- Glenn W9IQ

Agreed but, if it is the paint already on it, black in color and not really thick, taking it off is a lot of effort for marginal gains.

[W1RKW]

soak it in a 50/50 mixture of lacquer thinner and MEK, outdoors, then blast with compressed air.

[KD0REQ]

can't hurt to try soaking it up with Goof-Off then brushing. unless the black was anodized into the aluminum, then it's dye in closed AlO cells, and it's not coming off. not without sandpaper/grit blasting. and then the surface is rough as a cob. off the shelf black heat sinks are anodized.

[WA3SKN]

Aluminum?  You might try a salt water/brine solution before going to the "heavy duty" solutions.  Paint should come off but anodizing will need to be blasted.  Don't lower the mass too much!

-Mike.