Painting Radiators

[Tesla]

Hi guys,

I havn't posted around here for a while but the community is buzzing so I think i'll stick around for a bit.

Anyway,

My question is a little odd. How can I get enamel finish on an old radiator.

When you buy a new radiator they are that nice enamel white.

I tried radiator paint last time I decorated this room and it looks really bad and not a nice finish.

Any advice appreciated,

Chris

[Nick]

I just used gloss paint on mine... but make sure the heating is off or the radiator is isolated or it'll screw up the finish.

You can get enamel paints for this from specialist suppliers but it costs a bomb...

[abeacock]

I bought radiator paint from a normal DIY shop and got good results. Needed two or three coats as the paint was quite thin and ran easily.

[kickstart 1]

I have also used 'gloss' paint before (so maybe its your painting that isnt up to scratch:lo Another thing you could try is Hammerite .

[abeacock]

Another thing you could try is Hammerite .

...for that battered iron look...

[Fabula]

Get some radiator paint from B&Q.

Use it.

Repeat until desired finish appears.

Worked fine for me, and also my uncle when I helped him spruce up his house prior to selling.


(you can also get it in a spray version if having difficulty with brushes. Make sure you also buy masking tape in that case.)

[kickstart 1]

...for that battered iron look...

Ok then SMOOTHrite

[g8ina]

Don't use ordinary gloss, the heat will age it prematurely and it will go a ghastly grey...

[Whalefish]

Also, the more coats you put on the less heat the radiaotor will actually 'radiate'. I had some facts and figures somewhere but I can't find it at the mo.

[snedger]

I bought a towel rad from ebay and stripped it down to bare metal, primed it and finished with spray rad paint.
Even though I took the abosulute most care, with the rad being horizontally flat, I still ended up with a couple of paint runs.
I should have just slapped some paint on with a brush.

[Tesla]

Thanks for the replies guys, the radiator will be off when I am painting it, is it better to lie it flat do you think?

[Jayos]

For the time hassle and the cost of the paint, go find your nearest plumb centre and get a new rad. Ask for trade price and max discount.....you will be surprised how cheap they are!

[teachmech]

I'll second that new rad I had all of mine replaced before the winter and was surprised by home much warmer the house was.

Also no matter how you paint it, it will not look as good as a new rad.

Don't waste time painting, if its off just replace.

[simonfitba]

B&Q sell radiator spray paint. Gives a great finish.

[Jayos]

Heres an example:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...77520&ts=20574

Less than 30 quid!

[cymap]

I think they may sell a radiator spray which makes the finish a little better.