What is the right paint for steam radiators?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

If they were dip-stripped I sure hope that ALL of the connections were plugged!!! Same is true for sandblasting!

John W

I have been trying to get a sucessful paintjob on my steam radiators for the past couple of years. I have had them stripped twice and repainted with high temp paint. They look great at first, but after a few months the same old cracks start to show and the peeling begins. I would prefer to not have the silver metallic finish, but this paint option has worked for me. Is there another option for having a paint job that will last more than just one season?

Dean_7

paint

I had four of our radiators sandblasted last year. Powdercoating was my first choice for refinishing but it was unavailable within a reasonable distance of us. I repainted them with high temp engine enamel over the absolutely clean sandblasted surface. It's been almost 18 months since they were done and they look great no flaws in the finish at all. This may work for you.

Steamhead

If they used a chemical stripper

it may not have been neutralized properly before the new paint was put on. Failure to do so is a sure way to make the new paint peel.

John W

sandblasting and engine enamel

Dean,

Is there a manufacturer name you could give me for the engine enamel? The sandblasting sounds like a good first step instead of stripping.

Thanks,

JW

Dean_7

paint

The paint I used was Plasti-Kote Engine Enamel No. 202 Universal Gray. Gray was used on two of the radiators and white (same manufacturer) on the other two. They were painted last June and had about four months to cure before the heat was on. There was a slight odor initially when they got hot but it wasn't that noticible and it was gone in a day or two. And all openings were sealed before sandblasting the radiators.

Phil_8

dip stripped

What happens if the rads are dip stripped and some of the chemical gets inside the CI radiator? Really want to know since I have some being dip stripped as we speak and I did not think of plugging the holes.

gehring_3

The last radiator I painted I used Rustonleum - right off the shelf - brushed on. It came out looking great and has lasted well. (If you can paint well this is easy just be careful - i.e. watch for runs and sags - use an extension on your brush to get way in between the sections, etc.)

In my opinion it is unnecessary to use special "high heat" type paint as the radiators never get that hot anyway. (Not hot enough to burn paint that it)

I also used Rustoleum to paint all of my steam piping in the cellar before I insulated it. Works great. I am a fan of Rustoleum.

Brian Macdonald_4

Rustoleum

I have had several radiators in my house sandblasted. I used Rustoleum High Heat spray paint. It doesn't require a primer and comes in several colors. Using spray lets you get between sections easily, too. Some of my rads were done this way five years ago and still look great.

Brian Macdonald