Current Prices for Scrap Radiators in North Carolina
Real-time market analytics for Radiators scrap prices in North Carolina. Compare local yard payouts for ACR, copper-brass, and aluminum units against the COMEX exchange and find the highest-paying buyers in North Carolina.
Radiators Scrap Price Trends
over the last 6 monthsIn the last 6 months in the Radiators category: price is steady for 5 grades.
Current Radiators Scrap Prices in North Carolina by Grade
Radiator scrap values are currently trending between $0.33/lb and $2.15/lb. High-demand Aluminum Copper Radiators (ACR) are fetching $2.10 to $2.15/lb, while clean Aluminum Radiators (Clean) are trading at $0.40 to $0.65/lb. For heavy industrial units, Copper & Brass Radiators (Clean) are moving at $2.05 to $2.10/lb.
Top Scrap Yards for Radiators in North Carolina
Live prices from local scrap yards in North Carolina. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.
CMC Recycling
CMC Recycling
Dare Area Recycling Technologies
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶Price Chart & History
See how local yard buy prices track the exchange (COMEX). Use this chart to judge whether it's a good time to cash in now or wait for yards to catch up with the latest exchange move.
Radiator Scrap Value & Payout Calculator
Selling a mixed load? Pick the grades below — a weight field appears after you select at least one grade, then the calculator estimates your haul’s value from current average prices in North Carolina.
Yield Analysis: Pure Metal Content in Radiator Grades
The exchange price represents pure, refined metal (99.9%+). Each scrap grade contains varying levels of impurities, which require different amounts of processing. The higher the percentage, the more valuable the grade and the closer its payout is to the spot price.
| Grade | Exchange (100%) | Yard Price (per lb) | Grade Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Copper Radiators (ACR) | $5.30 COMEX | $2.13 | High Grade•40% |
| Copper & Brass Radiators (Clean) | $5.30 COMEX | $2.08 | High Grade•39% |
| Irony Aluminum Copper Radiators (Dirty ACR) | $5.30 COMEX | $1.73 | High Grade•33% |
| Irony Copper & Brass Radiators | $5.30 COMEX | $0.93 | Low Grade•17% |
| Coolers & Condensers | $5.30 COMEX | $0.33 | Low Grade•6% |
📊 What Determines Grade Value:
- Metal Composition: Payouts depend on the ratio of copper to aluminum. Pure Copper Radiators sit at the top of the price bracket, while aluminum units track lower base metal prices.
- Contamination Levels: Any steel, plastic tanks, or rubber hoses attached will downgrade a unit to 'Dirty' or 'Irony' status, significantly increasing the 74.4 spread.
- Processing Ease: Heater Cores are small but high-value due to their copper content; however, they require more handling than large industrial Coolers & Condensers.
- End Material: Plastic ends provide zero metal value, whereas Radiator Ends made of brass are a specialized high-value recovery item.
Maximizing Profits on Radiator Scrap in North Carolina
Radiators are one of the most profitable items in the non-ferrous bin, but only if you know how to sort them. In North Carolina, prices range from $0.33 to $2.15 per pound depending on the metal mix. The heavy hitters are Copper & Brass Radiators (Clean) and Aluminum Copper Radiators (ACR), which provide a high recovery of red metal. If you aren't paying attention, a yard might grade your clean ACR as Irony Aluminum Copper Radiators (Dirty ACR) because of a few tiny steel screws, costing you up to $1.80 on a large load. Our data shows that the best margins come to those who spend time prepping their cores before hitting the scale.
Identifying Your Core Grades
Yards classify radiators by the base metal of the fins and the tubes. Aluminum Radiators (Clean) are all aluminum, whereas ACRs have aluminum fins but copper tubing running through them. It is crucial to distinguish between these and Irony Aluminum Radiators, which still have steel frames or plastic tanks attached. Payouts are highly sensitive to the COMEX market, and with a spread of around 74.4, every ounce of contamination works against your bottom line. Industrial Coolers & Condensers should also be checked for steel inserts that can lead to an 'Irony' downgrade.
Yard Pro Tip: When checking for copper in an ACR core, use a file to scratch the tubes. Some modern radiators use aluminum tubes coated to look like copper. If the metal underneath the scratch is white, it's aluminum—if it's orange/red, you've got the real deal and should demand the higher ACR price.
The Veteran's Radiator Preparation Guide
- Trim the Fat: Use a Sawzall or heavy snips to cut off plastic tanks and steel side channels. This moves you from 'Dirty' to 'Clean' status instantly.
- Separate Heater Cores: Small Heater Cores are often high-grade copper/brass. Keep them in a separate bucket; don't mix them with your larger aluminum units.
- Check the Fins: Old radiators often have a lead-solder coating. While these are Irony Copper & Brass Radiators, they still hold significant weight and value if prepped correctly.
- Industrial Units: Large industrial Coolers & Condensers often have steel lifting eyes or frames. These MUST be removed to avoid being bought as 'mixed shred' prices.
Market Insights
The Drivers of Radiator Scrap Payouts
Prices for Radiators in North Carolina are volatile, shifting based on both copper and aluminum futures on the COMEX. Yards calculate payouts by estimating the recovery of the core metal minus the weight of 'irony' attachments. A clean core with no steel or plastic usually secures the premium tier, while dirty units are bought at a steep discount to cover the yard's labor and shredding costs.
Insider Tips for Better Scale Tickets
- The Magnet Test: Always run a magnet over the sides of your radiators. If it sticks, you have steel contamination that needs to be removed to hit the 'Clean' price.
- Drain the Core: Pockets of coolant or water can add weight, but yards will often take a heavy flat deduction if they see liquid leaking on the scale.
- Snip the Ends: Brass headers and Radiator Ends are much more valuable than the core itself. Selling them separately can sometimes net a higher total than selling the whole unit as copper-brass.
- ACR vs. Aluminum: Don't let the yard call your Aluminum Copper Radiators (ACR) 'standard aluminum.' Look for the copper tubes inside the aluminum fins; that copper is worth a massive premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Clean and Dirty ACR?
Clean Aluminum Copper Radiators (ACR) consist only of the aluminum fins and copper tubes. 'Dirty' ACR has steel brackets, plastic housings, or rubber hoses still attached. Yards in North Carolina pay significantly less for dirty units to cover the labor of cleaning them.
Are plastic radiator tanks worth anything?
No. Plastic tanks have zero scrap value and only add 'dead weight' that yards will deduct from your payout. It is always better to remove them before reaching the scale.
Why are Copper & Brass radiators so rare now?
Modern vehicles use aluminum because it is lighter and cheaper. Copper & Brass Radiators (Clean) are mostly found in older classic cars, heavy-duty trucks, and industrial equipment. If you find one, hold onto it—it's one of the highest-paying radiator grades available.
Radiators scrap prices in North Carolina on the map
The map shows cities in North Carolina with Radiators scrap prices. Click a marker or pick a city in the list below to see Radiators prices in that location.