Detail Radiators

[Greg Cruickshank]

Does anyone have any information on how to make radiators look more realistic. I know Detail Master has some rad mesh is there anything else that members are using and any ideas how to make the tanks look better. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Greg

[alan barton]

I'm not sure if this is the type of info you are looking for but here are some of my general opinions about radiator detailing.

First, radiator tanks are almost always stamped in one piece so carefully sanding off the mould line that generally runs across the centre goes a long way here.  It also pays to add some small round stubs of styrene rod or tube for the radiator hose inlets and the filler neck.

In my opinion, most model companies do a great job of moulding radiator fins and I am not sure why anyone would want to use mesh to replace it.  Some are better than others so it doesn't hurt to search through your stash because you can always cut something down if necessary. AMT 1/25th scale truck radiators are a great source for this.

You can only see through a radiator if you are sitting exactly at eye height to the radiator and with a strong light behind it, maybe with the hood up on a sunny day.  The rest of the time, the radiator looks solid. I recall seeing models in magazines where the modeller had proudly detailed his radiator core by making it from layers of fly screen - and that's what it looked like!

Most modellers, me included, paint their radiators flat black but lately I have been trying semi gloss black. Most radiator shops paint the radiator a fairly high gloss black when you get it back from them but this never looks right in 1/25th scale.

Finally, many modellers paint the top tank in a copper or brass colour. I have never worked out why!  Having been attending car shows in four countries for nearly 50 years, it is extremely unusual for someone to do that, (ie, polish the top tank) except of course on a brass era car.  And for good reason - black works better!  In modern times, aluminium radiators have become popular in performance applications so you do see some silver ones  - Tamiya Polished aluminium spray is a good match here.

Hope that helps a little

Cheers

Alan

 

[Tom Geiger]

 

Of course detailing depends on what kind of models you build.  I can say not to forget an overflow tube, whether there is an overflow tank or it just lets out onto the ground at the bottom edge of the radiator. Most kits omit this detail.

Since most of my models are well used, I will often use a child’s water color set green to simulate coolant. Whether it’s a little spot near the top hose or using it as a wash into the mesh to give it some depth.

Edited May 20, 2020 by Tom Geiger

[StevenGuthmiller]

As a rule, I agree with Alan.

A good number of kit radiators look just fine as they are.

My suggestions would be to sand off the parting lines, (and don't forget to file in between the ribs. There are mold lines there as well).

Add an overflow tube, an aftermarket or scratch made radiator cap, and nix the kit hoses and get some black wire that is the right size for the hoses.

 

I usually will paint the tank a semi gloss black, and sometimes I'll do the core flat black.

Other than that, there's really no reason to go much further if you are going for the look of a factory style radiator.

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

[Greg Cruickshank]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Much appreciated.