I'm putting an LSD into to my Striker. The question is, Do I paint it? Or should that be, Are there good reasons not to paint it?
Some time ago I read somewhere that painting them reduces thermal efficiency and prevents them shedding heat, hence the reason that manufacturers leave them unpainted.
The temptation to make it look nice is strong.

no idea, but I painted mine, and so have many builders. Not heard any reports of failure due to heat build up because of paint.

paint it!

I'd paint it. Then again, it depends how often you're going to see it! I see my diff every time I take off the boot cover to fill up the tank.... On a leightweight where IIRC it's panelled in there'd be less point!!!!

Wire brush, degrease, spray with hammerite.... Job done....

painted mine with Silver hammerite :-)

Then paint it I will!
I think I have some EasyJet orange round here somewhere....
The house needs a lick while I'm at it

i think they dont paint them for cost reasons rather! they're made of magnesium after all...

same thing came up with the engine. i thought why do they paint them black? surely a bright colour (i.e. silver) would be more thermally efficient... the only conclusion i got to is because thats the cheapest paint.

If I recall correctly, a black surface radiates heat best. Central heating radiators are painted white because the boss likes that better than black.


<------------- Painted differential

Silver Hammerite

[Edited on 7/7/07 by Macbeast]

quote:

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Originally posted by Macbeast
If I recall correctly, a black surface radiates heat best.

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iv just left mine bare - got a narrow wire brush in the dril and cleaned off all the old paint that will crack off eventually - looks the dogs danglies bare and clean - it still gets hot to touch either with paint or not... no paint is easier once you get it clean!!

It's lighter if you don't paint it ;-)

Sprayed mine with silver caliper paint.

Leave as bare metal and spray with WD40 now and again and it will not corrode