Best way to restore old steam radiators?

DanHolohan

look in the <A href="http://www.heatinghelp.com/NewPageContents.cfm?PageID=32#Radiators"target="_blank">Systems FAQ</a> section.

It pays to wander off the Wall.

John_153

Best way to restore old steam radiators?

I have several functioning steam radiators that need rust and or paint removed, then painting. Any suggestions on how to do this? Power washing, sandblasting kits from hardware stores, or a place like Radical Radiator Restorations? Also, what is the safest paint to use as I have several small children in the house. I am in Connecticut if anyone knows of anyone who can do it locally. Attached are a few pictures of what condition they are in.
Thank you!

Steamhead (in transit)

A good paint shop

could handle this. The best paint to use is an oil-based type that can handle some heat, as might be used on car engines.

Here are shots of two that were stripped and repainted at a shop in Baltimore. Stunning, eh?

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

[Deleted User]

Who would know they were repainted, they look brand new.

All kinds of great work going on in that Baltimore area.

bruhl

Daniel_3

Hey John,

I know a guy who uses industrial abrasives, not sand, to blast and they come out perfect for short money in Worcester. He does jobs for Norton Co. and other large business but will do rads for about 30-40 per linear foot and a bit more for paint. I fi was you I would get them blasted then spray tow to three coats with a primer of oil based paint so as to not ruin the paint job while transporting to and from. You'll have the rest of the summer for them to out gas a bit.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

I've found that pressure washing with a zero degree (rotating) nozzle works very well on radiators of that style. It won't remove every last bit like sandblasting, but it's relatively fast and very inexpensive.

Just ensure that you use an alkyd (oil-based) primer on bare cast iron! Never use latex over bare cast iron. If the final coat must be latex, I would suggest at least two oil based coats as primer.

High-temp paint certainly can't hurt, but in my experience it's generally not needed even with steam systems.

Jim Franklin

I finally saw a friend's powdercoated rads. They are fancy with floor de lee and such. He had them done in white and they look like porcelain. Stunning. I don't know what they cost.

jim

Beach Chambers

This place does nice work in CT. http://www.beckerspowderhouse.com/