High temperature paint required?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Definitely not for a hot water system. Possibly for a steam system but I daresay that many, many steam radiators are painted with standard paint with no ill effect.

You're definitely on the right track to overcoat the old bronzing with oil-based paint. Flat will be best and you can still find such a good paint stores and the occasional home center. Once you have your good oil-based prime coat you can change to latex to get just the color you want. I'd recommend at least an "eggshell" level of gloss for the final coat.

Don't forget that proper preparation is the key to ANY paint job so do your utmost to get the radiator clean. I realize that's an absolute pain. If there's any way you can wait and remove the radiator to the outdoors for a thorough cleaning do so.

Do the job well--just this once--and you'll probably never have to bother with it again in your lifetime.

Brian_39

High temperature paint required?

Reading through some of the posts and articles about painting radiators, I see many people use high temperature paints. Is that required? Would it be OK just to use regular oil based primer and paint put on with a brush? The radiator is in good condition, not flaking, and has a metallic paint on it now.

thfurnitureguy_4

just sand the c**p out of it get it to 180 grit rough and paint away. the scratches will give the paint a place to hold on to. It will stink for a week or so so let it dry for a few days before you fire it up. keep your coats light to avoid trapping solvents in heavy spots they will bubble when hot.