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Hot Water Radiators

Shane Carlson
Shane Carlson Member Posts: 2
in THE MAIN WALL
Tim, Thanks for the advice and your time. I'll post to let you know how things go.

Shane

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  • Shane Carlson
    Shane Carlson Member Posts: 2
    Hot Water Radiators

    Hi Tim,

    I own a 100 year old home in Salt Lake City, Utah with a hot water gravity fed heating system (installed in 1922). We did some remodeling this summer and in the process removed three radiators. We took the radiators to a local shop that claimed to have had experience with home radiators. The shop sandblasted the radiators and then applied a clear coat finish on the bare metal, claiming they had done this a number of times with great results. Unfortunately, the finish turned out very uneven and blotchy (it looked like he had not cleaned his paint spray gun - large black blotches that spanned several sections). While we were deciding what to do, the shop then left the radiators outside and they rusted. At that point I asked the shop to sand blast off the clear finish and I retrieved the blasted radiators.

    I now have three blasted radiators in my garage and as I am getting a close look at them I am hoping that you can help me with a few questions.

    1. After sand blasting, there is now a gap between the sections of one radiator. I don't know if the nipples connecting these sections were damaged or if this is normal after sandblasting. Is it normal? Is there a practical way to pressure test radiators on site? And lastly, if this is normal, the radiators are not damaged, and the gaps are just cosmetic, what do you recommend I use to fill these gaps?

    2. The stems that connects to the radiator to the valve body was originally plated in what I assume was a chrome. They were supposed to be taped off during the blasting but they were not. They were sandblasted then clear coated (including the male portion that extends into the valve) and now some of the stems have a clear coat over bare brass and some are just bare brass (feel like 120 grit sand paper). How would you recommend that I prepare the surface of these stems and should I use something like pipe dope when I reconnect them?

    3. Rustoleum has a high heat paint (satin finish in silver - very similar in color to the blasted radiators). I used this on a radiator seven years ago and I do like how it turned out. Would you recommend painting the radiators with this? If not, what would you recommend?

    Thank you for your time,

    Shane
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Shane

    I am sorry I am not the radiator expert here especially when it comes to refinishing. HOPEFULLY SOME OTHER FOLKS HERE ON THE WALL WHO WORK A LOT REFURBISHING RADIATORS CAN HELP YOU MORE THAN I CAN.

    1. After sand blasting, there is now a gap between the sections of one radiator. I don't know if the nipples connecting these sections were damaged or if this is normal after sandblasting. Is it normal? Is there a practical way to pressure test radiators on site? And lastly, if this is normal, the radiators are not damaged, and the gaps are just cosmetic, what do you recommend I use to fill these gaps?

    YOU CAN PRESSURE TEST WITH WATER PRESSURE WHAT IS CALLED A HYDROSTAIC TEST. iF THEY ARE DAMAGED IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO REPAIR THEM.

    2. The stems that connects to the radiator to the valve body was originally plated in what I assume was a chrome. They were supposed to be taped off during the blasting but they were not. They were sandblasted then clear coated (including the male portion that extends into the valve) and now some of the stems have a clear coat over bare brass and some are just bare brass (feel like 120 grit sand paper). How would you recommend that I prepare the surface of these stems and should I use something like pipe dope when I reconnect them?

    TRY SOME REAL FINE EMORY CLOTH TO SMOOTH THEM OUT. TEFLON TAPE WITH A LITTLE PIPE DOPE IS FINE FOR RECONNECTING.

    3. Rustoleum has a high heat paint (satin finish in silver - very similar in color to the blasted radiators). I used this on a radiator seven years ago and I do like how it turned out. Would you recommend painting the radiators with this? If not, what would you recommend?

    I HAVE USED HEAT RESISTANT SPRAY PAINT I PURCHASED AT A STOVE SHOP TO REDO CAST IRON YOU MIGHT TRY THAT. I HAVE NEVER USED RUSTOLEUM HIGH HEAT PAINT HOWEVER SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA. IT CAN'T DO ANY MORE HARM THAN WHAT WAS DONE.

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