View Full Version : Thermochill Rad Makeover
Eddie3dfx
06-01-2009, 09:57 AM
Picked up a 120.2 from Joe (thanks!)
It's beat up, which means it's a perfect candidate for the thermochill makeover.
One thing I noticed, the paint jobs are very thin. I poured this paint-shellac remover on there.. The paint litteraly wiped off like it was wiping dirt off.
The difference between the thermochill outside and swiftech, is swiftech uses a brass outside with a copper core. Thermochill uses a steel outside with a copper core.. Meaning, you probably can get a beautiful shine on this thing. :up:
I'm also prepping the blocks for electroless plating. I picked up the other kit from caswell. I put all 4 blocks in pure lemon juice. If that doesn't clean it, I'll use coke, as mentioned a week ago on this forum.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/5793/dscf0129a.jpg
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9718/dscf0131h.jpg
Eddie3dfx
06-01-2009, 10:40 AM
It has a muted steel look to it. Looks nice bare. Not sure it will match my white motif though..
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3462/dscf0134.jpg
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3411/dscf0138b.jpg
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3512/dscf0136w.jpg
kinghong1970
06-01-2009, 10:41 AM
i wonder, if you dip it in the shellac, will it remove the paint on the fins too?...
bentleya
06-01-2009, 10:47 AM
i wonder, if you dip it in the shellac, will it remove the paint on the fins too?...
I would also like to know this, i have got a double TFC Xcahnger i picked up for cheap, that needs some love, and got a few things planned for it :)
Mekrel
06-01-2009, 01:07 PM
i wonder, if you dip it in the shellac, will it remove the paint on the fins too?...
Yes it will, that is if Shellac is the same stuff as Nitro Mors in the UK (which is sold in Halfords).
dpokrajac0
06-01-2009, 01:18 PM
Looks interesting. I want it silver?
LogAn'sRun
06-01-2009, 01:30 PM
i didn't spend as much time as I should/could have with the sides of the PA, but the ends polish up real nice. . .
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh166/logansfar/logans112.jpg
shazza
06-01-2009, 01:59 PM
Eddie - thanks for posting this! (So YOU'RE the one who got Joe's 120.2 - I was looking at that one).
Eddie3dfx
06-01-2009, 02:20 PM
Eddie - thanks for posting this! (So YOU'RE the one who got Joe's 120.2 - I was looking at that one).
Yes :D:rolleyes:
On another note, I just put in a copper enzotech heatsink inside the electroless plating solution for 15 minutes. I took it out and nothing got plated. It specifically states to activate the copper, you must have it touch steel for 5 minutes. I put the copper block on top of the thermochill side.. This time I'll just put it directly on steel wool... Odd.. What kind of metal are the sides made of?
gOtVoltage
06-01-2009, 03:31 PM
If your in the U.S. , you can use JASCO paint remover .
. brush into the fins heavilly and wash with warm/hot water to rinse . will take paint off the copper. Take care handling with jasco and wear rubber gloves.
Boogerlad
06-01-2009, 05:00 PM
i wish that the fins were unpainted. It would look nicer in my opinion.
Eddie3dfx
06-12-2009, 08:24 AM
Sorry, it's a bad pic and the lighting is horrible in the basement. You guys get the idea. Computer will be up and running by thursday. :up:
Fits nicely. Koolance shroud will go on top with fans.
2 4890 cards with ek blocks.. fits perfectly. Top card will feed into the thermochill with a 90 from underneath.
I'd love to get a radiator grill underneath.
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8997/dscf0172w.jpg
skinnee
06-12-2009, 10:32 AM
That turned out very well Eddie, nice work! :up:
Darth_Penguin
06-12-2009, 11:06 AM
Looks great!
Eddie3dfx
06-12-2009, 11:11 AM
Thanks for the comments guys
Ashraf
06-12-2009, 11:23 AM
Beautiful! :up: I would like to see a picture of the whole case.
shazza
06-12-2009, 11:24 AM
Nice job, Eddie. Can't wait to see all these radiators in action.
holy blinding reflection batman!
awesome job.. i'm tempted by this to do it to my PA160. damn you :(
Marci
06-12-2009, 02:05 PM
What kind of metal are the sides made of
Originally Terne-coated steel (http://www.themetalinitiative.com/content/building_with_metal/types_of_metal/terne.cfm).... they were changed at somepoint iirc... can't remember exactly when or what to. Takes more effort to polish up vs the brass endtanks, and will always fade again over time and require repolishing
... other alternative is to plate it, but you'll struggle to get a mirror finish chrome plate on the terne-coat unless you take some very fine grade wet n' dry to it first, and are prepared to suffer for a few days with a stiff elbow.
i wish that the fins were unpainted. It would look nicer in my opinion.
E-mail and ask... back when I was there we always provided unpainted rads on request... can't see any reason why they wouldn't be able to now.
tamu80
06-12-2009, 03:02 PM
E-mail and ask... back when I was there we always provided unpainted rads on request... can't see any reason why they wouldn't be able to now.
If you do strip the fins down to the copper, which would look fantastic...can you clearcoat the copper to keep it pristine without causing any cooling issues?:shrug:
ballzD33P
06-12-2009, 04:15 PM
sexy! what fans are you going to using on that 120.2?
i see wee theenk alike
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp44/ballzd33p/IMG_0271.jpg