Can Magnetic Heater Pad From Zerostart Be Used On Aluminum Surfaces On Equipment?

Updated 11/13/2025 | Published 11/05/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Zerostart Heat Magnet Heater - 2-1/2" Long x 4-3/8" Wide - 120V - 200 Watts

$94.50

Zerostart Silicone Pad Heater - Oil, Hydraulic, Transmission Fluid - 3" Round - 120V/125 Watts

(1)

$121.14

Question:

Can the Heat Magnet be used on aluminum surfaces if I clamp it somehow?

asked by: Ken

Expert Reply:

Ken, for aluminum, go with the adhesive Zerostart pad # ZE75MR instead. It’ll bond directly and heat evenly across the surface.

The # ZE35MR magnet heater only transfers heat effectively through ferrous metal, so aluminum won’t work - even if you clamp it, most of the heat will stay in the heater itself.

What equipment are you heating?

expert reply by: Andrew N

Ken

11/13/2025

Got it, thanks. It’s going on an aluminum hydraulic reservoir on a skid steer. I figured the magnet might not hold but thought I’d check.

Andrew N.

11/13/2025

@Ken You guessed right, Ken. Aluminum just doesn’t hold well or transfer heat well through a magnet. The adhesive pad # ZE75MR will be the way to go there. It bonds permanently and heats the oil evenly without worrying about it falling off mid-job. Do you run that skid steer daily in the winter or just fire it up when there’s snow to move?

Ken

11/13/2025

@AndrewN cool. and mostly snow work and some farm chores, so not every day. But when it’s sitting cold, it’s really sluggish to get the hydraulics moving.

Andrew N.

11/13/2025

@Ken Yeah, totally makes sense. That silicone pad will take care of that. You’ll definitely have a smoother operating bucket and faster lift speed even in single digits. Good luck with everything!