Or did they Leave CA...

 

Look now....

 

Pretty!!!! Serious debating on painting it purple, and leaving the ridges aluminum....

 

You will loose some of the cooling efficiency effect but it wont be any worse than a stock cover.

 

What painting it?? Never even though about that... Figured the aluminum itself would be cooler than the stock cover ever would, even painted...

 

Yes, Painting it will stop the heat transfer.

I spoke to 1 manufacture and he said on average the temp difference is 20-30 degrees. He preferred the Raw aluminum over the Powder coated black but they offered it as it was popular with customers. But the paint/powder coat units never exceeded the OEM cover temp's.

 

Black radiates heat better, so purple might do so as well. Then again it depends on the heat transferring properties of the coating and I'm too lazy to dig out my heat transfer and material sciences book.

But I'm just splitting hairs because I'm in a bad mood.

 

Didnt think engine enamel would affect heat trabsfer as bad as powdercoat would!!

 

The individual I spoke with used powder coating for long term durability, they did some extensive testing. Regardless raw is probally more efficient.

Either way, Do what Floats your boat. It's not like its going to cause catastrophic failure. It's a cosmetic thing. If that's your thing, Do it!

My trucks are all stock height so it wouldn't really be noticable either way on mine.

 

Ill probably paint it, if i can tape it off the way i want.... If not it will stay aluminum....