Can you paint an LED heat sink ?

LoJack · 12/21/2011, 12:51 PM

As the title states, can it be done?

What kind of paint is necessary if it can be done.

Has anyone actually done it?

Telaverus · 12/21/2011, 01:08 PM

You have a couple of options. In industry aluminum heatsinks are typically annodized, this allows for better glue adhesion and doesn't interfere with the thermal properties of the aluminum. It's a chemical process and you can get a nice black finish with it. You see a lot of black heatsinks already treated this way.

The other option is a high temp thermal paint like VHT FlameProof.

You could get away with other options I'm sure but this is where I would start looking. HTH

slick970 · 12/21/2011, 05:25 PM

vht expansion chamber paint
its not an insulator flat black dissipates heat
we used to paint vw engine cases with it

James77 · 12/21/2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoJack

As the title states, can it be done?

What kind of paint is necessary if it can be done.

Has anyone actually done it?

I had painted my U channel heatsinks using standard high quality spray paint. For where the LEDs were, I taped off, so they/thermal paste would have full contact with bare aluminum. That thin a coat of paint is not going to keep much heat in at all, if any.

Bryan · 12/21/2011, 05:47 PM

Search online for DIY aluminum anodizing. Fairly easy to do but need to be careful with the chemicals.

racedout · 12/21/2011, 06:51 PM

+1 for anodizing, but I think I would find a local company to do it. Can't be too expensive.

12/21/2011, 12:51 PM	#1
LoJack Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thompson, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 595	Can you paint an LED heat sink ? As the title states, can it be done? What kind of paint is necessary if it can be done. Has anyone actually done it?

12/21/2011, 01:08 PM	#2
Telaverus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 212	You have a couple of options. In industry aluminum heatsinks are typically annodized, this allows for better glue adhesion and doesn't interfere with the thermal properties of the aluminum. It's a chemical process and you can get a nice black finish with it. You see a lot of black heatsinks already treated this way. The other option is a high temp thermal paint like VHT FlameProof. You could get away with other options I'm sure but this is where I would start looking. HTH __________________ Stu Retired 500g system... Researching and building a nice and relaxing 65g display

12/21/2011, 05:25 PM	#3
slick970 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: orange county calif Posts: 68	vht expansion chamber paint its not an insulator flat black dissipates heat we used to paint vw engine cases with it __________________ 36x24x20 lee mar euro braced 30 gal sump euro reef skimmer brs dual reactor diy leds 12 white xpg 18 blue xpe pwm controller keepin it simple

12/21/2011, 05:47 PM	#5
Bryan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,750	Search online for DIY aluminum anodizing. Fairly easy to do but need to be careful with the chemicals. __________________ -=Bryan=- Current Tank Info: 10g nano reef

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12/21/2011, 06:51 PM	#6
racedout Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 67	+1 for anodizing, but I think I would find a local company to do it. Can't be too expensive.